How To: Replace Headlight Bulbs

[Demoniam]

Anyone have a pic of what the headlight adaptor pieces look like.

The PO of my 2002 p5 must've replaced the lights and threw out the adaptors!

Also, my headlight housing says H7, and the bulb that was installed says H4. Is this what the adaptor is for?

Do I need to go out and get a set of H4s and the adaptors?

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Here you can see thatthe bulb is way to large to be a direct fit.

and here's the bulb as it was "installed" in my car....not able to be locked in or anything..

 

[Kansei]

Yeah that's how it works.. since the sedan came with H4s, to work with H7 bulbs they included an adapter.

 

[Demoniam]

so I could use either????

Anyone have a part # for the h4 adapters?

 

[bbrich57]

so I could use either????
Anyone have a part # for the h4 adapters?

As you say, it looks like those H4's are way too big. I don't know for sure, but if I were you, I'd get a pair of H7's and a couple of adapters and call it a day.
Someone said earlier that these are around $10-12 from Mazda.
I don't have a picture but the ones on my 3 are just the sane shape as the back of the bulb (again, H7) but deeper so that the clip will put pressure there to hold the bulb in. W/o it, they would just flop around loose.

 

[Kansei]

As you say, it looks like those H4's are way too big. I don't know for sure, but if I were you, I'd get a pair of H7's and a couple of adapters and call it a day.
Someone said earlier that these are around $10-12 from Mazda.
I don't have a picture but the ones on my 3 are just the sane shape as the back of the bulb (again, H7) but deeper so that the clip will put pressure there to hold the bulb in. W/o it, they would just flop around loose.

Yeah just get the H7s and the adapters from Mazda. The H4 bulb will plug into the socket on the P5, but won't ever fit right in the headlight or provide a proper beam pattern as the reflectors are designed around the filament position of an H7.

 

[bbrich57]

That is a very good point Kansei makes... one I hadn't thought of when I posted before. I don't know about you, but I want as much output from my headlights as I can get!
Go back to the H7's.

 

[Worbit]

subbin' just incase

 

[kc3635]

.

Just finished changing mine out. It was a fun 20 minutes or so.
Advice: If you're unscrewing something during this process, you're probably going to lose something.. just leave it at that.

 

[stx195]

head light bulb change

My passenger side low beam bulb went out late last week ... so I just changed both to Sylvania Silverstars... 15 minutes to read the thread... 25 minutes to change 'em both out... Thanks!

 

[MonkeyBone]

tried to change the low beams today...not even able to get the plastic rubber thing out...the relay blocks the way and im not able to pull that out...thats freaking stupid...there is NO way im able to pull it outthere is no clips or anything...bringin it to a shop where i im supposed to go for my alignement....stupid lights...


I removed the side marker lights...always one thats burned so no more side markers and same things for the license plate lights..both are out they are so a pain in the ass to get to...

And the front lights...DAMN cannot even remove the "white relay thing with the 2 wires connected to it...so ******* pissed off

 

[dani]

i read pages 1 and 6...
i have a 3 and i was wondering which model this diy was referring to.

 

[mnkyboy]

Is it just me or is the Protege 5 head lights the most expensive part maintenance on the car? It seems like I change the bulbs out every 9 mths. Ive had the car for over 6 years, and up until last month I had to change the alternator. Other than that, the bulbs are the next biggest expense for parts. Ive tried expensive Silverstars and I now use the Cool Blue @ $15 a pop. Last time I bought them I saw Sylvania came out with an even more expensive bulb after the Silverstars, forget the name.

 

[dye3]

step 1. unplug the wiring harness.

step 2. pop off the rubber boot on the back of the haedlight.

step 3. push clip over and down,swing it out of the way.

step 4. grab the middle clip on the bulb and pull out( may have to twist it to get it past the wires).

step 5. replace with new bulbs, lining up the three little things sticking out on the sides of the bulbs. replace clip into plastic holder....put boots back on and hook up wire harness.

done.

Having completed this little task after reading several replies from a number of you, I wanted to make a few clarifications to the above instructions that would have made the job easier for me:

Step 1: to unplug the wiring you will need to squeeze the wings on the plug while pulling the plug off.

Step 2: You may have to work a bit with the rubber boot to get it off. Mine went back on much easier than it came off.

Step 3: This is the worst part of all. EVERYONE seems to have trouble with this. Proceed with caution since the parts holding the wire clip in place are plastic they can be broken. The lamp on the driver's side of the car is held in place with a clip. There is a small loop in this clip on the upper side of the lamp on the side of the driver's-side fender. Standing in front of the car I first pushed the clip forward (towards me) then upward (towards the hood) to unhook it. From there the clip swings out towards the passenger side.

Step 4: grab the middle of the black lamp holder and work it out. It doesn't screw into place but the wire clamp and harness make for tight quarters.

Step 5: Remove the old bulb from the black holder (the piece you held onto to remove the bulb from the reflector.) Pay attention to the location of the flat section of the metal base of the old bulb. Place the new bulb into the black base in the same position as the old bulb.

Step 6: Put the new bulb back into the reflector. Note that the flat metal section is UP (towards the hood of the car). You may have to twiddle with it for a bit until the lamp slips into place. Doesn't require any force. (wiggle)

Step 7: Replace the wire clip, making sure that it is secure and not just hung up on something. Wiggle it to be sure. Put the rubber boot back on, make sure its snug all the way around. Plug it back into the harness.

Your Done!

 

[mnkyboy]

@dye,

Just to clarify your remarks.

Step 1: Not sure why you had to "squeeze the wings", mine just pull off.

Step 3: You state "The lamp on the driver's side of the car is held in place with a clip." The passenger side is the same way.

Step 5: Im not sure why you think you have to "Pay attention to the location of the flat section of the metal base of the old bulb." The black adapter is symmetrical. It doesnt matter which way the new bulb goes in.

 

[ericw]

Had to bring this one back to life.

Some Knuckle head before me has the clip so messed up it is almost impossible to put it in right. those clips are a pain anyway. I bought the high beams and replaced and was so happy for the change from the 2001 Protege es bulbs then noticed my darn headlight still did not work so lucky for me I was still in the parking lot at auto parts store and got the correct set... oh well, I have done dumber things. I then had to come here to figure the upside method of installation then I though and found the crappy clips!

 

[jlc_1988]

Video on how to Replace a lightblub in a mazda 3

Here is a video I thought I'd share on how to replace a bulb in a 2008 Mazda 3. Hope it helps someone out. Yes the clip in the back is a pain, just keep working on it and you'll figure it out.