How do you change a headlamp bulb in a 2004 Toyota RAV4?

Answer 1

The first thing to remember is NEVER touch the glass on the new halogen bulb. If you do, the oil from your fingers left on the glass will cause it to burn out.

A lot of things jammed up near the headlamp make this a minor pain for a do-it-yourselfer with large hands. On passenger side, unclip the wiring harness by sliding the white clip up then pulling away the harness. Tuck it out of the way.

Next, work the large rubber seal away from the lamp connection and wiggle the three prong connector off the back of the bulb. There's a wire clip holding the bulb in place. Pinch one end of the wire clip toward the center and disengage from its groove--then the other. Work the bulb out.

Take new bulb and hold only by its socket end--never touching the glass. Slide it into the socket making sure the three flanges on the bulb actually seat into the three grooves of the socket. Then, push bulb on in until you see the groove for the wire clip--seat one, then the other clip.

Align 3-prong power socket with the 3 prongs on the back of the bulb. Wiggle and press in for a firm connection. Then, work large waterproofing rubber seal back onto the lamp housing.

Reattach the wiring harness; test the bulb. We're done!