1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC headlamp

Bulb Replacement
In this section you'll find directions for changing the
bulbs in some of the lamps on your Pontiac. See
"Replacement Bulbs" in the Index
to find the type of
bulb you should use.
Halogen Bulbs
I
I /r CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps (2-Door Models)
1. Open the headlamp panel.
I 6-31
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/ 2. Remove the screw at
the top
of the headlamp
support panel. Loosen
the two screws at the
bottom
of the panel.
Loosen these two screws
until they
are out of the
headlamp frame, but still
in the brackets on
the
headlamp assembly.
3. Carefully lift the headlamp assembly and
support panel.
4. Lift the plastic locking tabs on the electrical connector
and pull the connector from the headlamp socket.
0 Note which way the socket is pointing before
you disconnect
it. You’ll need to install the
new headlamp
so the socket points in the
same direction.
5. Set the headlamp assembly on a work surface with
the lens facing you.
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6. Remove the Ton@
screws
at the end of the
aiming ring. The aiming
ring will swing open like
a gate.
$1 10. Insert the tabs on
the aiming ring into
7. Remove. the aiming ring. Place it face down on the
8. Check that the number on the new headlamp
work surface
with the
aim indicator up.
matches the number on the headlamp being replaced.
The letter on the headlamp (U or L) must also match.
9. Put the new headlamp in position.
Makesure the socket points in the same direction
as it did with the old headlamp.
11. Holding the aiming ring closed, insert the screws at
the end
of the ring. Tighten the screws until the
aiming ring touches the plastic nuts
on both the top
and bottom.
0 Do not overtighten.
e Do not damage the vertical aiming bubble.
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12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Plug the electrical connector into the headlamp
socket. Make
sure the locking tabs snap onto
the socket.
Put the headlamp assembly in position. Make sure
the two guide tabs drop into their holes in the
headlamp support panel.
Tighten the two bottom screws. Make sure
the guide tabs are still in place before tightening
the screws.
Insert the top screw
and tighten it.
Close
the headlamp panel.
/
Headlamps (4-Door Models)
1. Open the headlamp panel.
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Turn the socket
counterclockwise until it
pops loose
from the housing.
3. Pull out the bulb socket.
Headlamp Aiming
4. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the
bulb socket.
5. Snap the electrical connector into a new bulb socket.
6. Replace the bulb socket into the housing and have a four-door Pontiac, see your dealer when your
This section only applies to two-door Pontiacs. If you
turn clockwise. headlamp aim needs to be checked
or adjusted.
7. Close the headlamp panel.
Your vehicle has the 55 x 135 mini-quad headlamp
system. These headlamps have horizontal and vertical
aim indicators. The aim has been pre-set at the factory
and should need
no further adjustment.
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If your vehicle is damaged in an accident and the
headlarnp aim seems to be affected, see your
Pontiac dealer. Headlamps on damaged vehicles
may require recalibration of the horizontal aim by
your Pontiac dealer.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
The vehicle must have all four tires an a perfectly
level surface.
0 The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
There should not be my cmgu ur loading of the
attached to it.
vehicle, except it should have
a full tank of gas and
one person or
160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver’s seat.
0 Tires should be properly inflated.
t
indicator should
read
“0.”
1 0 The horizontal
-
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions
before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
State inspection stations will allow a vertical reading of
plus 0.76 degrees or minus 0.76 degrees from the center
of the bubble.
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It is recommended that the upper limit not exceed plus
0.4 degrees from the center of the bubble. Other drivers
may flash their high beams at you if your adjustment is
much above plus
0.4 degrees.
If you find that the headlamp aiming needs adjustment,
follow these steps:
Start with the horizontal aim. Don’t try to adjust the
vertical aim first.
1. Check the horizontal aim indicator. The pointer
should be
lined up with 0 (zero).
2. If the pointer isn’t at
0 (zero), turn the
horizontal
aiming
screw to adjust
the aim.
3. Check the vertical aim indicator. The bubble should
be centered on
0 (zero).
~1 4.
L-!
If the bubble isn’t
on
0 (zero), turn
the vertical aiming
screw
to adjust
the aim.
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Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels,. wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Pontiac model.
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and ,handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you
lose control. You could
have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use
the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
See "Changing a Flat Tire" in the Index\for
more information.
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used
or how many miles it's been driven.~It could fail
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