'03 Pathfinder fog light bulb change

spanky · Jan 23rd, 2005, 01:09 AM

I just purchased some H3 PIAA bulbs for my fog lamps and I'm having a very difficult time taking out the vent so as to take the lens cap off of the assembly to swap the bulbs. ANyone know how to easily do this? Also, I want to change my headlamp bulbs and both sides are right up against something else. ANy quick and easy way? Thanks

black_knight · Jan 23rd, 2005, 02:16 AM

if it's anything like the frontier you just reach around behind the bumper and twist counter clockwise on the bulb socket and pull it out with the bulb then replace. As for the headlights there are probably a few screws to undo and the headlight assembly will slide out some allowing you to reach in and do the same procedure for the headlight bulb. Be careful on the foglight numbers. On my frontier it says the H3 is the bulb but in actuality it was an 883/889 halogen bulb. All the websites were wrong and I found out the hard way. you may want to double check on that otherwise you'll find out when you pull the old foglight bulb out.

Later,

spanky · Jan 23rd, 2005, 01:19 PM

Unfortunately, the wheel well is sealed off and I can't get to the fog lights from behind. THe manual says to remove the vents by snapping them off to get access to the lights. I'm unable to remove the vents and also not sure if there are screws holding it in. I hope they are H3's since that's what I bought.

spanky · Jan 23rd, 2005, 09:50 PM

okay.. so i got my headlamp bulbs in after putting in an hour, but I still can't do the fog lights. I was trying to remove the vents and they just aren't coming out. SHould I have the dealer do it?

Blank · Jan 23rd, 2005, 09:52 PM

can you get at them from underneath the bumper?? the headlights should take about 3 minutes to do, fog lights may be a little longer, what was the problem with the headlights???

spanky · Jan 23rd, 2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlankgazeX

can you get at them from underneath the bumper?? the headlights should take about 3 minutes to do, fog lights may be a little longer, what was the problem with the headlights???

Headlamps were right up against , either the battery or the air filter. Very tight space to do it. The fog lamps are very difficult. THe manual says to remove these vents right next to it so you can unscrew the fog lamp housing, but i can't even remove the vents. I tried using a screw driver to pop it out, but it wont come out. THere is no other easy way of getting to the lamp. 03 pathfinder.

Blank · Jan 23rd, 2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanky

Headlamps were right up against , either the battery or the air filter. Very tight space to do it. The fog lamps are very difficult. THe manual says to remove these vents right next to it so you can unscrew the fog lamp housing, but i can't even remove the vents. I tried using a screw driver to pop it out, but it wont come out. THere is no other easy way of getting to the lamp. 03 pathfinder.

my max was the same way... you couldnt do it with a screwdriver?? just wrap a rag around the tip and pry it back... your bumpercover will bend ALOT b4 it breaks, you just gotta bite down and make it werk... if you're still unsure, take it to a dealer, but they will probably charhe 35 bucks to do that work...

spanky · Jan 23rd, 2005, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlankgazeX

my max was the same way... you couldnt do it with a screwdriver?? just wrap a rag around the tip and pry it back... your bumpercover will bend ALOT b4 it breaks, you just gotta bite down and make it werk... if you're still unsure, take it to a dealer, but they will probably charhe 35 bucks to do that work...

SO I should just keep trying to pry it out? THe vents do start to bend. I'm trying to prevent them from bending too much where if I put them back they aren't flush.

Blank · Jan 23rd, 2005, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanky

SO I should just keep trying to pry it out? THe vents do start to bend. I'm trying to prevent them from bending too much where if I put them back they aren't flush.

i wish i still had my pathy so i could go out and see what needs to be done to help you.. you may just want to take it to someone who is a little more confident in this...but i would study your manual closely, and do EXACTLY what it says, pry in the same spot as described on the diagram... my max, the literally popped off and popped back in... i think it is a stupid desgn because of the propensity for it to break, but that is nissan... good luck!