Changing bulbs on a 2008 Lucerne

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by XP300

For you young guys ...... At one point in time, you could actually change your headlights from the outside of the car, without raising the hood. It took a screwdriver or two and 10 or 15 minutes, unless the internal bracket screws were rusted, then it took forever.

Alignment of the headlight took a screwdriver (+) and a wall (garage door) to aim the headlights at.

End of story.

Now I have to remove half the front end.

I guess this is just another confirmation of evolution, that hominids are in fact getting smarter.
Now instead of a $3.95 sealed beam or halogen light, you go to the dealer who performs 3 hours surgery at 3 x $70 = $210 + parts = $288.89 for one new headlight bubb.

No, dealers are getting smarter...customers are getting dumber.

[GMCSonoma]

Front Bumper Fascia Replacement



Callout
Component Name
Preliminary Procedures

• Remove front compartment sight shield. Refer to Front Compartment Sight Shields Replacement .
• Remove the front retainers from the wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement .
• Remove the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement .

1
Front Fascia Bolt (Qty: 2)
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Tip
Access the bolt through the wheel opening.
Tighten
10 N·m (89 lb in)
2
Front Fascia Nut (Qty: 2)
Tip
Access the nut through the wheel opening. Loosen nut to allow stud to slide in keyhole slot in the fender flange.
Tighten
10 N·m (89 lb in)
3
Front Fascia Retainer (Qty: 2)
4
Front Fascia Retainer (Qty: 2)
5
Front Fascia
Procedure

1. <LI type=1>Disconnect the fog lamp electrical connectors. <LI type=1>Pull out on the fascia to release the tabs on the energy absorber to the impact bar. <LI type=1>Energy absorber is attached to the front fascia.
2. With an assistant, pull fascia forward to disengage front fascia reinforcements under headlamps and allow extraction of studs from keyhole slots in the fenders.

[GMCSonoma]

Headlamp Replacement



Callout
Component Name
Preliminary Procedure

Remove the front bumper fascia. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Replacement .
1
Headlamp Capsule Assembly Bolts (Qty: 3)
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Tip
Tighten the fasteners in sequence as shown.
Tighten
6 N·m (53 lb in)
2
Headlamp Capsule Assembly Nut
Tip
Access the nut by pulling back the front fender liner.
Tighten
6 N·m (53 lb in)
3
Headlamp Capsule Assembly

Tip

1. <LI type=1>The headlamp is engaged to the sheet metal by a stud located at the lower outboard corner, and 2 pins in the center lower, inside the lamp. <LI type=1>Pull the lamp outward to release the retainer pins from the body panel.
2. Disconnect the electrical harness connector at the lower rear edge of the lamp.

[GMCSonoma]

I'm told pulling the fascias off these are relatively easy...the worse part is making sure you don't scratch it!!!

[Neanderthal]

Could you post the instructions for removing the 2004 Impala headlight, replacing the bulb, and reinstalling the headlamp?

Five minutes?

That includes popping the hood.



Perhaps it's a simple operation, but if I was in the market for a new car and I saw this BS, I think I'd seriously consider a moveon.org to another brand where changing a bulb does not include a face lift.

This kind of unnecessary crap really pisses me off and it could break a sale.

[GMCSonoma]

So what!!!

You better keep that Impala, as sadly this is the sign of things to come...

NO MATTER who makes the car...

Originally Posted by LAMRONH

Could you post the instructions for removing the 2004 Impala headlight, replacing the bulb, and reinstalling the headlamp?

Five minutes?

That includes popping the hood.



Perhaps it's a simple operation, but if I was in the market for a new car and I saw this BS, I think I'd seriously consider a moveon.org to another brand where changing a bulb does not include a face lift.

This kind of unnecessary crap really pisses me off and it could break a sale.

[boston boy]

Thanks for teaching me something, this is another thing to look for when buying a car.

I think this is stupid

[GMCSonoma]

RE: Basic rules & guidelines for the Tech Forum

There are some posts missing here...

Be constructive in the tech forum or the post goes away...

[steverino]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

RE: Basic rules & guidelines for the Tech Forum

There are some posts missing here...

Be constructive in the tech forum or the post goes away...

I thought my lease comment was constructive. Get a new ride every 2 or 3 years before you have to start replacing stuff.
Just some worldly advise from someone who has both owned & leased

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by steverino

I thought my lease comment was constructive. Get a new ride every 2 or 3 years before you have to start replacing stuff

This post IS....overriding the cuss filter isn't constructive @ all on GMI, especially in the advice & news threads and that can get you a 10 day ban!

[steverino]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

This post IS....overriding the cuss filter isn't constructive @ all on GMI, especially in the advice & news threads and that can get you a 10 day ban!

10 day ban !!!!!!!! That's harsher than a first steroid offense in baseball

[impala02]

Originally Posted by LAMRONH

Huh? That's a joke, right?

GM had it as easy as pie on the 00-05 Impala. IIRC my 02 Regal had the same design. Logical, easy, no major surgery or tools needed.

Why would they make a "new" car that's more complicated and less convenient?

This has been going on forever. Look at a car from the 50's and look at a car today. Most diagnostics and repairs can't be made today without specialized tools and computer equipment. Back then, a couple of screwdrivers and wrenches, and you could handle almost any repair job.

Rbarrios - That diagram doesn't make the job look too difficult. I say go for it!

How much better are those Sylvania bulbs over OEM. I have contemplated doing this on my Impala for some time.

[rbarrios]

wooooooooowwww!!!!
that looks like a nightmare.
We got home a while ago with the new 08 Lucerne.
I log on and see the diagrams.
Tomm when I have time, I will take a closer look at the diagram and the front end of the car with the hood up. I need to look at this stuff closely. to figure out if Ill attempt it.
Impala 02- when my sis first got her 03, I changed her bulbs... and I said- you want me to put the originals back on? and she said NO! Leave them.
I only changed the low beams. But we both like the light output.
I personnaly like the way the light looks, and how it lights up the area better. I like the way white lines appear whiter.
Get them on ebay for cheaper prices on them.

[rbarrios]

the 1st time I changed the bulbs on my 03 trailblazer, it took me about 30 min to figure out what to do. then asking online.
that 1st time was a pain.
Now I can do it in 10 min. it requires the removed of the grille.

[USA1Fan]

Originally Posted by rbarrios

the 1st time I changed the bulbs on my 03 trailblazer, it took me about 30 min to figure out what to do. then asking online.
that 1st time was a pain.
Now I can do it in 10 min. it requires the removed of the grille.

Yes, but the grill on your Trailblazer just 'pops' off (same as the one in the 03 I had- I swapped the chrome crossbar grill for the painted white one). Not too hard. Removing the bumper covers and whatnot gets a bit more extreme, and as someone else has pointed out, even if it's easy to do, you still have to be careful or risk scratching the finish.

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

So what!!!

You better keep that Impala, as sadly this is the sign of things to come...

NO MATTER who makes the car...

Yep. It's not just a GM thing. I sure hope that the prediction that the chances of the bulbs going out are now slim to none (didn't use to be, that's for sure).