How do you replace the driver side headlight low beam bulb on a 2003 Mazda 6?

Answer 1

Answerremove air filter box, just a few clips i believe, move out of the way, then there is a metal clip.. just pay attention how it comes apart. then reverse order. New AnswerI've just replaced the driver side low beam bulb myself, and it's not necessary to remove any box. BUT TAKE THE COVER OFF THE BOXES ANYWAY SO YOU CAN SEE BETTER The whole process takes just 5 minutes.

You will need:

a) A new bulb, obviously.

b) A small torch, even in daylight.

c) A latex or PVC glove, which are sold in packs of 50 or so at your local DIY shop. This will prevent your fingers coming into contact with the bulb glass, and will protect your hand from the oil/grease/etc inside the engine compartment.

Here's the procedure:

1) There's a black plastic cap protecting the low beam bulb compartment. Twist it anti-clockwise (COUNTER CLOCKWIRE IN AMERICA) by less than 1cm and remove it. IT IS "KEYED" AND HAS A "Y" IMPRINTED ON IT'S BACK, THE KEY SLOTS ARE JUST SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER WHEN THE COVER IS IN THE OPEN POSITION & STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN WHEN LOCKED

2) With the torch, look inside the the bulb compartment to get an idea of where everything is. This is important because you won't see much with your hand inside.

3) The bulb is held in place by a spring clip. THE CLIP RELEASE IS JUST UNDER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BULB REAR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TERMINAL (BLACK PLUG ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ATTACHED TO BACK OF BULB), REMOVE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND YOU WILL SEE THE CLIP HAS A "D" SHAPED HANDLE WHICH IS HOOKED TO THE LIGHT HOUSING, PUSH THE CLIP "D" FORWARD (TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR) AND TO THE LEFT TO UNHOOK THE SPRING CLIP (SAME BOTH PASSENGER & DRIVER SIDE) This disengages it. Then swing it up, out of the way.

4) The bulb is connected to a socket (BLACK PLUG AS NOTED ABOVE) at the end of a wire. Gently pull them out of the bulb compartment.

5) With the bulb and socket now outside the bulb compartment, pull the bulb out of the socket AMERICAN HEADLIGHT BULB IS A ONE PIECE ITEM (NO SOCKET)

6) Reverse this process to install the new bulb. NOTING THE FLAT SIDE OF THE NEW BULB BASE FITS INTO THE HOUSING ONLY ONE WAY, FLAT SIDE DOWN POINTING TO THE RIGHT, AS VIEWED FROM LEANING OVER THE CAR FROM THE FRONT (LEANING FORWARD LOOKING BACK INTO YOUR LAP) THERE IS A METAL PIECE STICKING UP TO PREVENT THE BULB FROM BEING SEATED IN ANY WAY EXCEPT THE PROPER WAY.

IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO LOOSEN OR REMOVE SOME ITEMS BLOCKING THE ACCESS TO THE REAR OF THE LIGHT FIXTURE, SUCH AS THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, OR THE FUSE BOX COVER AND AIR FILTER COVER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, IN ORDER TO SEE PROPERLY OR GET BIG HANDS INTO SMALL SPOTS, AND REASSEMBLY WILL BE MUCH EASIER IF YOU HAVE MINI SIZED HANDS OR WIFE/GIRL FRIEND TO HELP.

When finished test the lights. Note that the new bulb will not illuminate until it is clipped back into the bulb compartment again. BECAUSE THE BASE OF THE BULB IS THE GROUND SIDE OF THE BULB CIRCUIT

THIS ENTIRE PROCEDURE IS EASILY DONE WITH EXPERIENCE & ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT KNOWING HOW THE LIGHT IS ASSEMBLED, THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS ARE VERY POOR ACCESS, POOR VISIBILITY IN IDENTIFYING THE "D" SIDE OF THE CLIP, AND GETTING BIG HANDS INTO SMALL SPOTS, GOOD LUCK AND REMEMBER THE "D" YOU WILL RUIN EVERY THING IF YOU DONT UNHOOK IT PROPERLY. JOHN, ASE TRIPLE MASTER TECH