Hi All,

I have a 2004 Maxima and can not figure out how to remove the front headlight assembly. I have had 2 bulbs burn out and have had to take it to the dealer. I have removed the 2 screws at the top of the light assembly but it appears that it is held in by screws behind the front bumber and or front fender. There is no clearance behind the light to remove the bulb without taking out the light assembly. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

so why not take it to the dealer again?

All bulbs are accessible from the engine bay. you need to remove a few components, but it is possible. What exactly are you trying to do? I hope you didn't remove the beam adjustment screws.

 

The fog light bulb burned out and I need to replace it. The reason I do not take it back to the dealer is that it is really a pain in the you know what to get an appointment and I need to drop it off for a whole day, I need the car for work. Getting to the bulbs from the rear will require removing numerous components that I do not want to remove. I saw the dealer do it, obviously not all, and they removed the light assembly. No I did not remove the allignment scre.

Help...

 

The only way to do this without removing anything under the hood, is to remove the bumper.... pick your poison.

 

Are the hidden screws behind the bumber cover? Are there any behind the quater panel?

 

I personally do not know for sure. I chose to remove the parts under the hood. Sorry. Somebody here has removed the bumper (don't remember who). I'm sure they'll chime in.

 

hold on man. I would demand the wiring be checked. a few others have had the same problem on here. why would you rather go through all this removal to have them blow again? Then the dealer can blame you for messing something up when it is a warranty issue. But by you taking things out and not choosing a bulb carefully, they have full discretion by Nissan to deny work afterwards on the related area.

 

I have had nissan check the light assembly for leaks and the wirring. They indicated that they heard of "bad bulbs"?

 

It's just a bunch of bad bulbs. Mine blew. I replaced it and all has been fine.

 

How did you replace it? How did you get to the bulb?

Thanks

 

If it's the driver's side bulb, you have to remove the entire intake assembly. If it's the passenger side, remove the fuse box, washer fluid resevoir, etc. Just take a look under the hood man. Anything in the way, move it.

 

My DRL's kept burning out. The dealership replaced them with non-Nissan bulbs. They said that the OEM ones tended to burn out early and they didn't want to keep bringing my car in the shop and removing the bumper to change a 99 cent part.

CM.

 

If you really want to know how to remove the bumper and all that i will provide you with the maintenance manual. I beleive it has the schemtics on everything to be taken apart.

 

Check out this post. I followed these steps and was able to get to my lights with no problem:
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...9&postcount=10

 

Here's how I replaced my fogs and blinkers...directions courtesy of Edify11:

For the driver's side, you need to free up some space by removing the intake. After the intake is removed, you should have enough space to get to the lamp. Just turn the harness and you'll have access to the bulb. There is a ground cable that may get in the way as you pull the harness out, you can remove this with a 10mm socket. For the passenger side, first remove the plastic finisher that covers all the fluid reservoirs. The clips come off pretty easily. Pop up the middle with a flathead screwdriver and the clips can be removed. Then you need to remove the the reservoir for the coolant. Two 10mm bolts keep it in place. You don't need to remove it completely, just pull it off to the side so you can work. Be careful you don't tip it the wrong way or it'll leak. After the reservoir is removed, you may want to remove the front metal bracket that holds the reservoir in place. If I remember correctly, it's another 10mm bolt. Just like on the driver's side, the ground cable may get in the way again, so you can remove it with a 10mm socket. That's pretty much it.

Worked like a charm for me....

 

I have a 03 Maxima and was wandering about something I have seen on the new o4's and 05's. There is what appears to be a light next to the front turn signal lights that's does'nt do anything. I am wandering if this was originally intended to be a clear parking light like the ones they have on the 02's and 03's. Just wandering. And I would like to add just one more thought. Would'nt it be nice if the got rid if those red turn signals in the tail light assembly on the new 6th generation Maxima. I really hate red turn signals. I think amber is so much better and safer for other dirvers to see. Try driving behind a car with red blinkers that is braking and truning at the same time, especially on a very bright day and compare that to driving behind the same car with amber blinkers. I believe most drivers have encountered this at some point or another. Thanks!!

 

The light next to the turn signal is for the DRL's (daytime running lights) whihc are used in Canada, wish they used them here as well.
As for the amber turn signals, I agree amber is safer but I like the look of the tails on the new max...

 

CanadianMoFo - when you replaced your DRLs with non OEM bulbs, did that work? Have they been lasting?

Also - did your fogs blow a lot?

Mine have started to go with 8,000 km on them.

Thanks.

(BTW - with over 1200 posts here, don't you think you need to get a life? :>))