Celica Forums Install Guides and Technical Articles Exterior Guides [EXTERIOR] Lights, Tips For Replacing Headlight Bulbs

Tips For Replacing Headlight Bulbs
By Isaac DeCoursey @ EverythingCelica.com

The installation of performance headlight bulbs is easy. No special wiring or ballast is needed. Just replace the regular (OEM/standard/composite) light bulbs with your new (aftermarket/performance/halogen) set. It's that Easy!

The trickiest part of replacing halogen bulbs from composite headlights is to prevent the glass portion of the bulb from coming into contact with your skin or dirt build-up that occurs in your engine bay.

Headlight bulbs get very hot when they are on and any oil or dirt that gets into contact with the glass will cause the bulb to burn out prematurely -- ie; DO NOT touch the glass with your fingers or the bulb will develop a hot spot from the oil on your hand and fail prematurely. If you do touch the bulb surface, cleanse it with alcohol on a clean cloth before installing it.

It is often wise to remove and reinstall the bulb into the headlight assembly, before reconnecting the wiring harness.

This diagram lists the headlight bulb sizes and locations in the 7th gen Toyota Celica. Part numbers and Toyota Service Center prices are also listed if you should need to re-order those parts for any reason.

[*] The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are your high-beam headlights running at about 1/2 power.
[*] Toyota refers to the front Parking lights as a "Clearance" lights.

For a full listing of replacement bulbs for the 2000-up Toyota Celica, please visit:
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/448564/Light-Bulb-Part-Numbers.html

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Install guide for Headlight LOW BEAMS (H7):
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbt...w-Beam-Headlights-H7-How-to-replace.html

Install guide for Headlight HIGH BEAMS (9005):
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbt...Beam-Headlights-9005-How-to-replace.html

Install guide for Headlight FOG LIGHTS (H3):
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbt...-to-replace-without-removing-bumper.html

Install guide for PARKING LIGHTS (194/168 M4-WEDGE):
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbt...hts-194-168-M4-WEDGE-How-to-replace.html

Install guide for TURN SIGNALS (1156 M4 bulb):
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/43075/Lights-Turn-Signals-1156-M7-bulb-FAQ.html

How Long Should Performance Automotive Light Bulbs Last?

Performance bulbs tend to have the same life as stock halogens and can give years of great service. Several things can have an effect on the lifespan of a bulb. The life of a filament is voltage sensitive. A stable electrical system in your vehicle will help to increase the lifespan of your halogen bulbs as well as the condition of the headlight units themselves. When installing your bulbs please remember to take care not to touch the glass portions of the bulbs. Other things that may shorten the lifespan of performance bulbs are:

* Touching the light bulbs glass during their installation. The oils on your fingers or dirt build-up that occurs in your engine bay can shorten the life of the bulb to only a few seconds or for a much shorter lifespan than if you had not touched the bulbs.

* If a mechanic is pounding on your car to remove your suspension or do bodywork, this may cause the filament in your lights to break (this is a common reason why neons often fail to work after major bodywork had been performed). This also includes If the vehicle is rear-ended (or any other sort of accident that may violently jerk your bulbs during operation).

* If you often drive poor quality roads or have replaced your suspension for much stiffer high Performance suspension such as Hotchkis or others commonly found on lowered vehicles, the light bulbs lifespan has several opportunities to go bad quicker than someone's who drives over paved roads or remained using their original equipment factory suspension setup.

* If you start your car or turn off your car while your lights are on, the surge of electricity may damage the bulbs.

* If you have an electrical short on the same circuit that your lighting is installed to, and the fuse does not break as it should, this may cause your light bulb (or light bulbs) to also need replacement.

There are many other causes for why headlights go bad before their maximum lifespan - these examples are only a few situations that would shorten that.