Anyone had experience changing headlight bulbs? I replaced our Jetta and Golf bulbs with super white bulbs (a viable alternative to spending big bucks on HID conversions) and it was a simple and quick procedure. Looking under hood of my new CTS, it appears that the entire assembly must be removed to get to the bulbs. Help.

Anyone had experience changing headlight bulbs? I replaced our Jetta and Golf bulbs with super white bulbs (a viable alternative to spending big bucks on HID conversions) and it was a simple and quick procedure. Looking under hood of my new CTS, it appears that the entire assembly must be removed to get to the bulbs. Help.

Yes, it is a pain.

http://cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8594&highlight=HID

I wrote a walkthrough on the process in that thread. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info, although I'm almost sorry I asked.

I recently changed my factory non-HID lights with the Sylvania SilverStar lights. I figured I could change them without removing the front bumper cover. Lesson learned, it's impossible. To change the light bulb, you must remove the headlight assembly, to remove that, you must partially (each side) remove the front bumper cover. Unless you plan to upgrade to actual HID lights, don't attempt it. What's sad, if a light burns out, you'll have to go through this process or pay to have it done. I'd hate to see what the dealer would charge for replacing one burnt out headlight bulb. Check out the picture below. The good thing is, it all went back together perfectly. :hmm:

I recently changed my factory non-HID lights with the Sylvania SilverStar lights. I figured I could change them without removing the front bumper cover. Lesson learned, it's impossible. To change the light bulb, you must remove the headlight assembly, to remove that, you must partially (each side) remove the front bumper cover. Unless you plan to upgrade to actual HID lights, don't attempt it. What's sad, if a light burns out, you'll have to go through this process or pay to have it done. I'd hate to see what the dealer would charge for replacing one burnt out headlight bulb. Check out the picture below. The good thing is, it all went back together perfectly. :hmm:

I've actually gotten pretty good at it. Back when I was fiddling around with HID's, I must have tore apart and re-assembled it 10-15 times within a period of three days. I can get the wheels off, bumper off, both lights changed out, and put everything back together in less than an hour. Your fingers get quite sore after about the fifth time. :p

I recently changed my factory non-HID lights with the Sylvania SilverStar lights. I figured I could change them without removing the front bumper cover. Lesson learned, it's impossible. To change the light bulb, you must remove the headlight assembly, to remove that, you must partially (each side) remove the front bumper cover. Unless you plan to upgrade to actual HID lights, don't attempt it. What's sad, if a light burns out, you'll have to go through this process or pay to have it done. I'd hate to see what the dealer would charge for replacing one burnt out headlight bulb. Check out the picture below. The good thing is, it all went back together perfectly. :hmm:

Dayum, that's awful just to change a headlight. Like they never burn out - especially with automatic lights that turn on everytime I start the car in the garage.

Dayum, that's awful just to change a headlight. Like they never burn out - especially with automatic lights that turn on everytime I start the car in the garage.

I hate that. The first time that happened, I set the headlights to manual operation..and there it will stay.

OK, this doesnt look very promising. I see you have been able to do it, should I? I assume you are talking about the little triangle lights in the corner? What type should I replace these with to provide the best look? Any tips not to do?

Gleward@yahoo.com
Glenn

I recently changed my factory non-HID lights with the Sylvania SilverStar lights. I figured I could change them without removing the front bumper cover. Lesson learned, it's impossible. To change the light bulb, you must remove the headlight assembly, to remove that, you must partially (each side) remove the front bumper cover. Unless you plan to upgrade to actual HID lights, don't attempt it. What's sad, if a light burns out, you'll have to go through this process or pay to have it done. I'd hate to see what the dealer would charge for replacing one burnt out headlight bulb. Check out the picture below. The good thing is, it all went back together perfectly. :hmm:

Holy Cow that thumbnail looked like you wrecked your car!:eek:
I have the instructions from the service manual for removing the front bumper if anybody is still interested. I can fax them to you with your FAX number:yup:

Wow.. This thread is over a year old.

Wow.. This thread is over a year old.

It appears we're using the search feature which is good!:yup:

Whatever you do, don't waste your money, time, and effort on Silverstars. Many GM truck owners have done that only to be disappointed by their short life.

It appears we're using the search feature which is good!:yup:

Hey Robert

Could you fax me the instructions on changing the headlight
Bill Moody (301)295-7417 or email william.moody@deca.mil (william.moody@deca.mil).

I have a 2003 CTS with the factory installated headlights. Like to replace them with the brightwhite light bulbs.

Thanks
Bill

Whatever you do, don't waste your money, time, and effort on Silverstars. Many GM truck owners have done that only to be disappointed by their short life.
I gotta disagree. I had SS's in my Regal for over 2 years, with a hd wiring harness upgrade, and many other Regal owners had the same thing done, and it worked fine for them.

The problem with the GM truck owners is that the wiring is crap. Not to mention that the housing does a great job of keeping in all that heat. If you look at new Silverstars's, you'll see a solid design. Silverstar's are fine except for the 893's. That design is poor, would not suggest the SS's 893 bulb.

I have taken my front end off many times now and the whole front can be taken off in less than 15 minutes. There is also no need to jack up the car and take the tires off. (Waste of time) All you need to do is turn the wheels to access all of the wheel well clips.

Thanks for the writeup, tomm! I'll be using this soon!

Hey Gang...

I am having DRL / Amber light issues. The (right) pass. side burned out on me this weekend. :banghead: I am assuming its just the bulb *fingers crossed*. I get a fast turn signal indicator on the inst. cluster now. (But everything is just peachy with the Left /driver amber).

Do I HAVE to do the same thing as you have to do for replacing the headlights /HID's? Meaning... dropping the front bumper... just to change the the the bulb in the amber part of the fogs? Please say that there something easier than that?!

You should be able to reach these bulbs with just removing the plastic piece inside the tire well. If I remember correctly its 6 or 7 clips. 4-5 clips in the tire well and 2 on the bottom. Once you remove that piece of plastic you should be able to reach in and change the bulbs.

You should be able to reach these bulbs with just removing the plastic piece inside the tire well. If I remember correctly its 6 or 7 clips. 4-5 clips in the tire well and 2 on the bottom. Once you remove that piece of plastic you should be able to reach in and change the bulbs.


Cool... ( and THANK GOD!!!) I just talked to the service techs at the Local caddy dealership... and they said they have to "pull off the whole front end"... and that it is major surgry.. and takes anyware from 2-3 hours... I thought it sounded a bit fishy... so I ran to the forum really quick to get a second opinion...lol.

Hmmm... I think I may just do it myself then. :D

You should be able to reach these bulbs with just removing the plastic piece inside the tire well. If I remember correctly its 6 or 7 clips. 4-5 clips in the tire well and 2 on the bottom. Once you remove that piece of plastic you should be able to reach in and change the bulbs.


Thanks again, tomm! It was not that bad of a job... just finished up (it took an hour total...and that includes running to Pep boys to get the bulbs) ... and... I did not break any clips *amazing*...lol! :thumbsup:

what is a good non-hid brand to get for whiter light?...Silverstar sound like its got a short life...any recomendation?

what is a good non-hid brand to get for whiter light?...Silverstar sound like its got a short life...any recomendation?


Hmmmm Silverstar... I have never had any issues with them. My mom had them in her Eldo.. and they seemed to work great & lasted until she sold the car. But thats in the Eldo.. not sure about the CTS.

is it a whiter light than the factory cts bulb?