How to Replace Headlight 01-05 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Difficulty: Intermediate · About 60 min · Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Replace a headlight bulb or the full headlight assembly on a 2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Steps

1. Remove the wheel if replacing the assembly

   Loosen the lug nuts, raise the car, remove the lug nuts, then pull the wheel off.

2. Swap just a bulb

   Turn the wheel for access to the small panel inside the inner fender, push the panel toward the car and down to remove it, twist the bulb counterclockwise, press the socket tabs and pull the bulb free, push in the new one, twist the socket clockwise, then refit the panel.

3. Remove the inner fender

   Pull the pin under the bumper holding the lower panels together, remove the inner fender's three 7mm screws at the front and three push pins, remove the five remaining 7mm screws, then pull the fender down and out.

4. Remove the old headlight assembly

   Unplug the bulbs, remove the two 10mm bolts securing the fender to the bumper cover and the four 10mm bolts around the headlight, push the bumper cover down and work the light forward and down, then pull it free.

5. Install the new headlight assembly

   Line it up with the outside edge and top first and rotate it into place, reinsert the four 10mm bolts around the headlight and the two securing the fender to the bumper, plug in the bulbs, refit the inner fender and its pins and 7mm bolts, then refit the close-out panel and its 7mm bolts and underneath push pin.

6. Reinstall the wheel

   Put it into place, thread and tighten the lug nuts, then lower the car and torque them to about 100 ft-lb.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.