On some vehicles, a blown headlight can be replaced simply by unscrewing it from inside the engine compartment. On the 2006 Chevy Equinox, the process is a little more complicated, but still something you can do yourself rather than pay a mechanic to do. To replace a front headlight, first you'll need to purchase a new headlight (which you can get from your local auto store, or you can buy a pair online from Amazon.com for $13.88).
In addition to the new headlight, you'll need either a 10mm wrench, an adjustable wrench, or a pair of adjustable pliers at the bare minimum, and probably a thin-bladed flathead screwdriver as well. A ratcheting socket wrench with a 10mm socket will make the job easier, and a large Phillips screwdriver can be used to remove some of the bolts. You might want to have a couple of rags handy as well, to clean dirt off the inside and back of the headlight assembly while you have it exposed.
In order to get to the headlight, the Equinox's grill will have to come partially off. To get the grill off, first pop the hood with the hood release lever (inside the car, to the lower left of the steering wheel) and open the hood all the way by feeling underneath the center front area of the hood for the latch, then pulling it toward you with one hand while you hold the hood up with your other hand. Once the hood is free, prop it up using the metal bar lying across the front frame of the car. This bar is held in place by a plastic clip - pull the bar out of the clip and then hook it into the hole in the underside of the hood, on the right side (marked with an arrow). This will prevent the hood from falling on you while you are working.
The grill is held on by eight hex bolts, ranged across the front of the car. The four outside bolts (two on the left, two on the right) have Phillips heads, so you can remove those with a screwdriver if you want. The others can be removed with a wrench or pair of pliers. Each of the bolts is located behind the grill (as you're standing in front of it) and in front of the frame bar that runs across the width of the vehicle. Set these bolts somewhere safe as you remove them.
There is an additional bolt holding the headlight assembly in place. Depending on which headlight you are replacing, the bolt will be in a different location, but for either light it will be toward the interior of the engine compartment, securing a black bracket that attaches to the light assembly. This bolt can be removed the same way as the other eight, but it is harder to get to, so if it's on there tightly, you may want to try using a nut driver with a 10mm socket, or else something with a very long handle so that you can get better leverage on the bolt.
With all nine bolts out, you can pull the grill slightly forward (away from the engine). There are small tabs holding it in place, but these tabs will usually pop out of place as you pull (gently) on the grill. With the grill away from the car a bit, you can wiggle the headlight assembly out enough to get at the headlight itself (be careful of the wires as you maneuver it). You'll need to be able to access the back side of the assembly.
There is a connector attached to the headlight - remove this connector by pushing down on the tab and then pulling the connector away from the light. If this tab won't release, try using a small flathead screwdriver or a sturdy pocket knife blade. Dirt and grime can build up under the tab, making it hard to release.
Once the connector has been removed, there is a plastic collar that sits around the light. Remove this collar by twisting it counter clockwise and then pulling it off. Now the bulb itself will be exposed - remove the bulb from the light assembly by twisting it counter clockwise and pulling it out of its housing (or just pulling it straight out if it will come right out).
Now you can install the new bulb assembly and then reattach everything by going in reverse order. Be sure to attach the electrical connector before putting the headlight and grill back into place, and start all eight grill bolts before fully tightening any of them to be sure the grill is lined up correctly. If you want to be sure you did a good job, have someone turn the Equinox on and test the headlight before putting everything back together (but after you've attached the electrical connector).
(Originally published on Helium.com, January 2012)
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