Corolla 04 retainer spring, headlight bulb replacement

ibstar

Hi All.

Trying to replace a headlight bulb, but can't seem to move the retainer spring.
I seen videos on youtube of these being removed, but it looks way to easy to what I am facing.
If anyone can point me to a good article with pictures or a video, I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

dooroy

This may help:
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Toyota-Corolla-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide/
Just remember that on American sites - their passenger and driver sides are 'opposite' to ours .

ibstar

dooroy wrote: »

This may help:
http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Toyota-Corolla-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide/
Just remember that on American sites - their passenger and driver sides are 'opposite' to ours .

thanks for help;)
I seen this site, their models don't seem to have retainer springs.
Their bulbs just come off by twisting the holder.

Cogsy88

It pinches together at the top and swings back.

dooroy

Sometimes I find it helps if you use a mirror to see exactly how its meant to work .
Retainer springs can
be pinched together to remove as already mentioned ;
sometimes the ends are intended to be moved sideways to disengage from a
slot.
The mirror helps to get an idea of what to do .

Cogsy88

They do just pinch together. I have the same car

dooroy

That settles it then - the kind of first hand info we all hope to get when we have a problem:)

Cogsy88

dooroy wrote: »

That settles it then - the kind of first hand info we all hope to get when we have a problem:)

would you like me top put up a detailed 5 point plan on how to pinch something together??

ibstar

will try it in the morning.
Thanks lads

dooroy

If you feel that would be helpful then do by all means.
As the car is 10 years old I was considering the possibility that the headlight had been changed at some time - and the replacement could have a different method of bulb retention. You can sometimes find that the LH headlight on a vehicle has a very different method of retention to that of the right.
And as this is a DIY forum people who want to do their own repairs should be made aware of the possibilities.
Having a look with a mirror also helps should the clip fall off altogether - which can happen as sometimes the 'anchored' end is poorly retained. At least you then have an idea of how it should go back.

ibstar

Checked the the other side and it's the same.
From what I can tell you about maintenance about this car,is that the previous owner never done any at all.
So I really doubt he ever changed the bulbs.
When I got it, had to do good bit of cosmetics,minor fixings and replacements.
I came to conclusion that the pinching method is whats needed,but my fingers seem to large to fit in between all the utilities.
Will have to go out and buy curved pliers, as mine seem to be missing again :S

Will report back tomorrow.

Thanks all for help.

dooroy

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/60522-headlight-bulb-replacement/

Just came across the above - may help or discourage

ibstar

all is fixed now ))
Was working in the dark all this time, and when I came out this morning with a mirror,I finally found
where to press.
The clip came off very easy, without the need of pliers.
Here is an image of what the clip kind of looks like on corolla:

http://www.kia-forums.com/attachments/kia-cerato-shuma-spectra-forum/17314d1375053476-headlight-bulb-retaining-clip-05-spectra-kia-headlamp-retaining-wire.jpg

PS: it wasn't a pinching method in the end. Maybe the clips are not original.

dooroy

Good result - its important to get a look at whats 'in there' and thats why I suggested the mirror.
There are many methods of bulb retention , and can vary on cars that would seem identical otherwise.