How is the headlight changed on a 2000 Chevy Cavalier?

Answer 1

With the hood open, you will see a long ( probably ) black flat flexible plastic cover running across the front of the upper frame. It is riveted in ,, with plastic rivets. Cut the plastic rivets off with a pair of wire cutters ( or other suitable tool ) ,, and remove the plastic cover. ( This cover can be left off if you want to in order to make it easier to change a headlight bulb next time. Or you can put it back on with new plastic rivets. I used real bolts to put it back on so that I could take them out easily next time. ) You will then see two top-mounted bolts holding the Headlight And Sidelamp Assembly in place which can easily be accessed and removed. Removing the bolts will loosen the entire Headlight and Sidelamp Assembly. Sometimes the entire Assembly can then be lifted up slightly and pulled forward. ( There are tabs on the bottom of the Headlight Assembly that fit into holes in the car frame. ) However, if it does not come out easily, you will have to separate the Headlight Section from the Sidelamp Section. There is a plastic "latch" that holds the Sidelamp Section to the Headlight Section. It can be accessed with a large screwdriver through a slot in the top of the Headlamp And Sidelamp Assembly ,, near the outer side. Use a flashlight to look down into the slot, and use the screwdriver to pry the latch back slightly. Be careful not to pry it too far. It is plastic, and it will break fairly easily. Once this latch is pressed back, you can release the Headlight Section ,, which can then be lifted slightly and pulled forward. Both the Headlight Section and the Sidelamp Section must be pulled forward. There is a long plastic part on the Sidelamp Section that slides into a metal hole in the Fender. It will break if you try to pry the Sidelamp Section out sideways. The Bulb Assembly twists out of the back of the Headlight Assembly, and the bulb can then be replaced. Be careful not to touch the bulb with your hands ,, or with any grease. Use a clean rag instead. Grease will make the new bulb burn out more quickly. Nearly all of these parts are made out of plastic, and will break fairly easily. So go at this carefully and patiently. It sounds a little complicated, but once you learn how, the whole job only takes about 20 minutes. A little Vasiline on the plastic parts ,, and on the bolts ,, makes reassembly go even faster and smoother ,, as well as making it easier to do next time. Good luck.