How do you replace headlight bulbs in Chevy Aveo?

Answer 1

It depends on the car year and style probably. I just replaced the headlights on my friends '04 Chevy aveo hatchback.

1) Open Hood

2) Behind the headlights there is a large round rubber gasket surrounding the light and wiring, pull the tab at the bottom of this gasket until it starts to come loose from the headlight assembly.

3) Pull away the gasket as much as possible, exposing the rear of the lightbulb.

4) There is a single metal piece that loops around the back of the bulb and secures it in two places. On the left side (when looking down into the hood), you must press it in (towards yourself) and then press it away from you. This will unhinge that side and should allow it to pivot away, thereby un-securing the bulb.

5) Pull the bulb out and then pull it away from the wiring connection on the back. This was more difficult than it should have been.

6) Replace the bulb with the new one and repeat steps in reverse to secure.

The passenger side was a bit easier due to the fact that there was a bit more space available to maneuver. I was able to do it on the driver side without removing the battery.

[Mr. Really Nice Guy: 20081128] Having just replaced a bulb in a 2006 Aveo, I can say that these instructions are close, but a better answer would be to check your service manual that should've come with the car. I could not remove the bulb using just these instructions. In fact, if the previous poster was able to do the driver side bulb without removing the battery, he's downright amazing. Instead, I had to remove the front grill, then the headlamp assembly, and then the retaining clip inside of the assembly. Quick note: try to avoid removing the clip, entirely. It can be confusing to put it back together. But, as I said, the instruction manual for the car has this information. It was easy to find in the index.

OK 2009/02/24 I just did both sides on 2004 Aveo Hatch LS. I found directions above from first poster very useful, more useful than the book that came with the car. His step 4 in particular is much better than the book. However, one BIG improvement is this: as per the book, remove the wire harness connector FIRST. It is a LOT easier to get off while the bulb is secure in the fixture. Notice, first poster complained it was way too hard. Even doing it first, it is sticky. You need to work the plastic connector back and forth gently to get it off. I wore those yellow plastic kitchen gloves and could get a better grip. After the wire harness is off, it is easy to get the headlamp cap off (the big black gasket). Do the passenger side FIRST - it is easier. About the drivers side: I don't know about 2006, but for my 2004, no need to remove battery or grill or anything. There IS a hose coming from coolant reservoir to the radiator. It is clipped in place; I carefully pulled it away from the clip in order to move the whole thing about 2 inches to get it out of the way. After that driver's side is not too bad. DONT FORGET TO PUT THE HOSE BACK where it came from. Other notes: the lamp 2004 Aveo Hatch wants is 9003/HB2. Dont touch the glass of the lamp. Hold it by the metal only. There are 3 tabs on the lamp so it only goes in one way. There are three spades for the wire harness. One of the spades lines up with one of the tabs - this defines the TOP of the lamp. One last thing, evidently the lights do not come on unless the engine is started. I *never* knew this before today (why would I?). I tried to test the lamp w/o starting the engine and was all mad it did not work. I started the engine and tried again and was happy.

This is a slight modification of the first instruction:

1) Open Hood

2) Behind headlight ass'y, there is a large, round rubber gasket surrounding the light bulb. The bulb extends thru the gasket with a connector pressed onto its terminals. Carefully pry off the connector with a thin blade screwdriver, or simply rock it left and right while pulling toward firewall. NOTE: If it is the driver side, the battery will be somewhat in the way. I recommend removing its clamp (straddling bracket held by two rods and two 10mm nuts). Put the nuts and rods aside, then lift and slide the battery toward the engine as far as it will go. For additional lamp installation room, prop a ~ one inch object under the right side of the battery (a screwdriver handle will work).

3) Pull the tab at the bottom of this gasket until it starts to come loose from the headlight assembly. Remove it and put it aside.

4) Note how the bulb is installed. Then remove it by unhooking the non pivoting side of the clamp, then swing it away from the bulb.

5) Remove and replace the bulb (large tab up, and middle electrical terminal up).

6) Re-hook the wire clamp.

7) Reinstall the rubber gasket, with word 'top' at the top.

8) Press on the electrical socket. Note that all three wires are secure and not abraided.

9) To test, turn ignition key to 'on', then the lightswitch 'on'. Check both high and low beams for alignment (approx. same height beam). If one is off significantly, make sure bulb is inserted in its cavity properly.

10) If the driver side, put the battery back in place and secure its clamp.

Here's my answer:

On 7/8/09

I changed the driver side head light/day lamp on my 2007 aveo sedan. I only had two tools, my needle nose pliers and my eyeglasses screwdriver.

1) do not mess with the battery...instead there should be three bolts two on top and one by the grill that are really easy to remove.

2) this does take a little bit of work, pull the headlight from the car and disconnect the side power cord, there is a tab at the bottom just press and it should come right off.

3) pull back the rubber gasket, this should reveal the internal wire clap that holds the light bulb in place.

4) release the wire clamp, it should just pop off when you press it in and it probably would be easier to press in both sides and once. (I only did one side and had to fight with the lamp to let loose)

5) now that the lamp is out of the headlight, put the headlight off to the side and work off the plug off the back, and pull off the rubber gasket once the lamp is free of the plug.

6) place the new light bulb with the middle tab facing up into the headlight, and secure the wire clamps. (this took less than a minute, just follow the position of the tabs)

7) put the rubber gasket on to the head lamp and make sure top is facing up, then replace all the plugs and wiring back onto the headlamp.

8) ok this is a little tricky, work the headlight back into the car body and makesure all of the bolt holes line up.

9) test the lights, they should now work.

10) replace and tighten the bolts.

Just a note as well, when I purchased this car new, i received the book, but it got lost in one of my moves, pulling out the headlight assembly is a bit of a pain as it putting it back in, but there should not be a need to remove the wire clamp it does come off pretty easily once exposed. Oh and thanks for putting up this answer.

I_JUST_DID_TWO_OF_THESE_IN_A_BLIZZARD!">I JUST DID TWO OF THESE IN A BLIZZARD!

I had both lamps out in an 06 Aveo hatchback...the first answer was very helpful!

I did the following steps with my fat fingers without removing any battery...etc...

1. Pull back on white plug...it is spongy but keep wiggling and pulling on the white plug...you wont break anything.

2. Remove large black rubber gasket.

3. Use the metal clip to your left to unlatch the bulb...push it in first then squeeze it a bit toward the bulb...its a pressure latch to hold the bulb in place.

4. ***IMPORTANT*** remove old bulb touching only the metal prongs with your hands...IF YOU TOUCH THE BULB GLASS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS...THE OILS WILL CAUSE THE BULB TO BLOW MUCH MUCH MUCH SOONER!!!!! (old TV studio lighting trick)

5. For install, reverse above instructions.

TIP *** Do passenger side first to get the hang of it!

.................... Why would you have to worry about how you handle the OLD lamp, you must have meant the NEW lamp?

Adding even more:

On my 2008 model, I thinks things are slightly different. The bulb is simply held in by a simple clamp. I did not have to unhook or unscrew anything. To replace the bulbs:

1) Find the chord that connects to the headlight, and pull it out. Mine came right out, and I would say this is similar to pulling a plug from an electrical outlet.

2) Next, you'll need to remove the rubber gasket. A light tug should be all you need. Place it somewhere will it will not be lost.

3) The bulb is held in by a clamp that hooks around it on each side. There are handles on the sides of the clamp. Simply put your fingers on the clamp's handles and push in on them to release the clamp.

4) Pull the old headlight out.

5) When you insert the new bulb, you'll see that it has three pieces on the outside, kind of like this /^\. Line these pieces up with the socket to slide the new bulb in.

6) Rehook the clamp.

7) Put the rubber gasket back on. Put it around the bulb first, then onto its socket.

8) Rehook the chord.

9) start your engine and turn your lights on (headlights will not come on unless engine is on) to check your work.