Today I changed the passenger-side headlight bulb in my 2003 hyundai elantra. in order to access the socket for the bulb, i had to remove this weirdly-shaped wire that was helping to hold the socket in place. i now don%26#039;t know how to replace the wire thing, because its shape is kind of confusing and i can%26#039;t see into the bulb housing well enough to figure it out. i also can%26#039;t look at the driver%26#039;s side to see how that one is held in, because of this plate that restricts my access to it.
i don%26#039;t have a manual, and can%26#039;t find diagrams online.
could someone describe how to put the wire in? or is it even necessary to do this? the screw-off cover to the lightbulb is in place, will that hold it in securely enough?|||Yes, you have to.
Mines a 2005 and it was a PITA to even get it off but you put it in what looks like sideways. I *believe* the curcey part goes in at the left and the part with prongs goes in at the right. You just have to squeeze the little prong things a little to get them to go into where they go.
Fiddle with it and you%26#039;ll figure it out :-)|||not 100% sure as there are different retainer clips for different cars. some will go from the bottom to top and some will go from one side to the other, i suggest take it to a mechanic or even a auto retail store and have them fit it, im sure they could`nt expect for you to pay anything for fitting it.|||It is necessary to install this %26quot;retaining%26quot; clip for it holds the bulb in place. And it is essential, seeing as how expensive the bulb is. The clip goes in at a wierd angle. Just got to work at it. Sorry.|||Ash,
THats right, its a MAJOR PITA to change these out. Not only does one have minimal space to stick one%26#039;s mitts in there, but that wire retainer takes a gawdawful amount of time to get back in. You%26#039;re not alone! Its a stupid design, but you have to get used to it. Try taking a look at the other side to visualize the position of the goofy little clip. Yes, it must be re-installed to keep the bulb in place.
I have a 2002 Elantra, and have gone down the same path of discovery as you. As time goes on you%26#039;ll get better at it.
lee
