I've changed headlights, done oil changes, etc. on past vehicles (Honda's, Chevy's, Subaru's) and have never quite encountered the circus changing a headlight on my Mazda 5 became. Thank you for putting your video on CZcams! I got the **** headlight changed! :)
Thanks for the video! I just replaced the low beam on my recently acquired '08 Mazda 3, and when I removed the grommet, I saw that the previous owner hadn't replaced the wire clip the last time they replaced a bulb, so the bulb and socket were just floating around loose. After much fiddling (and watching your video a couple of times), I realized the previous owner had also managed to bend the clip (likely why they didn't replace it). Once the clip was bent back into shape, it popped right in place.
THANK YOU! You were an answer to prayer. In past years it's been a whole stressful ordeal to replace the headlights. After watching your video it was done in 5 mins.
On passenger side (at least), the trick to unclipping is to push in on the clip (toward front) to relieve pressure, then "up" (toward sky) slightly to unhook. Then entire clip is free to rotate back and out of the way. I found that the ball of my left index finger worked best. Before sliding bulb out, its a good time to practice reclipping, while you still know that bulb is seated correctly. Ball of right THUMB was way easier for me: push the clip as far forward as you can, then slightly down to hook into place. I found when it didn't clip I wasn't pushing far enough forward. Last tip -- practice reseating the old bulb several times before removing; the top prong cannot be at 12:00 "up", but more like 11:00 -- then it goes all the way in (needs pressure to stay). Its a waste of time trying to clip if its not properly seated.
Not sure what's up, but he said to reclip he pushed it in then UP slightly; for me, it positively had to go way in then DOWN slightly (opposite of unclipping); that's why right thumb worked better for me. Maybe there are two ways to get this clipped...
THANK YOU for this video, I spent entirely too long not understanding that the latch needs to be secured on the bulb when the stupid adapter is on it otherwise you're just wasting your time. Drove home twice with dim lights cause they weren't seated properly and now they're fine!
Wow Thanks! I spent an hour on this last night, then watched your video this morning and did it quickly. The trick was pushing the clip in and up, I was pushing it in and down to clip in. Hopefully it stays in place. Thanks Again!
Awesome video!! Thanks for the help. The other videos were not showing completely what had to be done. Yours does. It's is a little bit different for the passenger side. Thank you.
David, about the twenty you owe me....lol The entire time I had the car and needed to switch a lamp, I would re-visit this same video. Thank you x 2 for watching.
Tricky little job very well demonstrated. Best I could find find on You Tube. Tip: Re-fitting the clip can be a pig, Use a small mirror to work out what you need to do and have a go. Many thanks to cfldriven.
Thanks for sharing... I sent an hour trying to get that stupid clip on and its still not on yet. But this video is giving me confidence to try again. Thanks again!!!
Many thanks for a very helpful video! BOTH my mainbeam lights went during the same journey, so had no idea whether I could legally drive before getting them fixed. Watched the vid and decided to give it a go, despite not being slightly mechanical - yes, it's very fiddly, but end result was that both were changed, so just paid the price of the bulbs! Thanks again....
The replacement of the bulb is shown as relatively easy in video. However this is not always the case and not just with Mazda cars, some cars do need the bumper removing. The headlamps are a vital safety factor. Restricted vision of the driver or restricted visibility of the car on the road is a vital safety factor and can cause accidents often fatal. People should stop buying cars with headlamp bulbs that can not be replaced quickly and easily when they fail. It should not be difficult and certainly should not be a job for a garage.
thanks for the vid. its was more hard to remove the clamp holding the bulb in but got it. also when putting the new new light on you may want to mention next time its not going to snap in. you must line the new light up with the two screws on each side while holding with one hand and pull clamp down with other hand. otherwise youll drop the new bulb and break it.
Hey thanks so much for the video so helpful. I did it myself, well actually my son had to help me push the clip back into place... I have zero upper body strength and I really couldn’t do it but everything was so darn easy thank you so much again!!!
So happy to hear this 5 year old video is still empowering people to tackle this project and succeed and at the same time save some money. Thanks for the feedback.
The clips bend easily. Try latching it a few times with the bulb out, and bend it so it slips in easily. Then you're in business. Knowing that would have saved me about an hour with sore fingertips.
Yes not one of Mazda's best ease of replacement designs. The clip does keep the lamp in place and properly aligned so be careful not to deform it. Thank you for the tip.
Keep at it, otherwise it really expensive for the dealer to do it. Try to visualize it, it took several attempts on my part which means anyone can do it. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@@cfldriven I finally figured it out. I took the boot, bulb carrier and bulb fully out, stuck a bright light in there so I could see, and just tried to get the clip engaged witbout anything in the way. Then I noticed the small sheetmetal lip it's supposed to catch on, and once I saw that, it all made sense. I clipped it in without the bulb or carrier, confirmed that it's secure, then unclipped, added bulb with carrier and clipped it in right away, then added the rubber boot. It helped to understand how it's supposed to latch. Thanks again for the video and pointing me in the right direction! 👍
I would think "Halogen lamp holder", but an auto parts person should be able to get you a name and part number. Junkyard probably cheapest place to buy one. Good luck.
i have a mazda 3,, the fog lights have burn up,, burnt the wires,, now the passenger side headlight is burning (smoking) the same,, what is the problem
Wish I had seen this video sooner, one of my headlight blown out and I when I tried to replace the bulb, I threw out the old bulb WITH the base on it 😐😐, I had to replaced it with the H4 bulb so that it'd fit in the socket but the alignment is all off and I've been driving blind since.
Totally sucks, can you get the base from Mazda dealer? On the bright side now you know how to deal with the next lamp that goes out. Thanks for commenting.
I modified an old flathead screwdriver (Long shaft is best) by cutting a slot (hacksaw blade width) in middle, holds spring clip so you can maneuver back into position. this worked way faster! Good luck people.
Any good auto part store can get you the plug that connects to the lamp. Whether you get at auto parts or from the dealer you will then need to crimp it onto the old wires. Hope this is the answer to your question. Good luck and if can subscribe.
Just put in low beam bulbs on mazda 5 2009'. Stupid setup. Passenger side was very difficult to install. Removed coolant tank with flat screwdriver to get better access to socket. Square tab clocked in at 11 on driver side and passenger side. Glad it's not my car.
You did better then me, since you got the coolant tank off. I tried doing that for a coolant flush and just gave up. Didn't want to damage anything. It secured as if it was made of gold. If you ever make a video let me know.
Right now that clip from hell is stuck along the side of the lightbulb housing in stead of where it goes, and the end of it is in the rim of upper part of the of the round housing that the dust cover goes on and for the last 3 hours I have been trying to get it out of there, and I want to kill something.
This was a hatchback which came in three trim levels, while the sedan came in four trim levels. I recall that Mazda offered HID heallamps on certain trim packages. That may explain the difference or someone may have swapped in aftermarket headlights. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for your clear and detailed help in what can be a formidable task! Putting the clip over the new bulb flange was beginning to be a chore, and then i said,...Oh, Lord, i forgot to ask You for help! And tried again and He helped me! Dear friend, thanks for your labor and help in this and it is my delight to tell you that our Lord Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures to save all those who will receive Him by the faith that He gives, for His glory and for everlasting Joy in being with Him, and being once and for all delivered from eternal torments in the lake of fire for all who will not. Please read the Gospel of John, and receive Him as He promises that, "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Thanks again, and again.... aye in Jesus, daniel
Mazda mechanics wanted a whole day to change these bulbs on my brother's car. They wanted to charge him $120 because of the worst design for a headlight clip in the history of the world.
Congrats on getting it done quickly. Even knowing what do it was still a tough job to do. Good news is they seldom need replacing, bad news is the replacement car is no easier. Thanks for watching.
I've changed headlights, done oil changes, etc. on past vehicles (Honda's, Chevy's, Subaru's) and have never quite encountered the circus changing a headlight on my Mazda 5 became. Thank you for putting your video on CZcams! I got the **** headlight changed! :)
Thanks for the video! I just replaced the low beam on my recently acquired '08 Mazda 3, and when I removed the grommet, I saw that the previous owner hadn't replaced the wire clip the last time they replaced a bulb, so the bulb and socket were just floating around loose. After much fiddling (and watching your video a couple of times), I realized the previous owner had also managed to bend the clip (likely why they didn't replace it). Once the clip was bent back into shape, it popped right in place.
THANK YOU! You were an answer to prayer. In past years it's been a whole stressful ordeal to replace the headlights. After watching your video it was done in 5 mins.
On passenger side (at least), the trick to unclipping is to push in on the clip (toward front) to relieve pressure, then "up" (toward sky) slightly to unhook. Then entire clip is free to rotate back and out of the way. I found that the ball of my left index finger worked best. Before sliding bulb out, its a good time to practice reclipping, while you still know that bulb is seated correctly. Ball of right THUMB was way easier for me: push the clip as far forward as you can, then slightly down to hook into place. I found when it didn't clip I wasn't pushing far enough forward. Last tip -- practice reseating the old bulb several times before removing; the top prong cannot be at 12:00 "up", but more like 11:00 -- then it goes all the way in (needs pressure to stay). Its a waste of time trying to clip if its not properly seated.
Not sure what's up, but he said to reclip he pushed it in then UP slightly; for me, it positively had to go way in then DOWN slightly (opposite of unclipping); that's why right thumb worked better for me. Maybe there are two ways to get this clipped...
Rider Jordan I have a 2005 and the clip definitely had to go DOWN. Tried it up and it didn't catch. Pushed it down and it caught the first time.
Oa
THANK YOU for this video, I spent entirely too long not understanding that the latch needs to be secured on the bulb when the stupid adapter is on it otherwise you're just wasting your time. Drove home twice with dim lights cause they weren't seated properly and now they're fine!
One of the most stupid holding wire I ever seen in my life.
Wow Thanks! I spent an hour on this last night, then watched your video this morning and did it quickly. The trick was pushing the clip in and up, I was pushing it in and down to clip in. Hopefully it stays in place. Thanks Again!
Very clear view and excellent description of steps. I am ready to replace my bulb now. Thanks!
Deb, thanks for watching. Patience and perseverance is a must when installing these lamps.
Awesome video!! Thanks for the help. The other videos were not showing completely what had to be done. Yours does. It's is a little bit different for the passenger side. Thank you.
Better explanation than others
Thank you for the kind feedback and for watching.
THANKS! Your video helped me save $50 - $60 at the dealership or local shop.
I’ve now used this video to help me twice. You’re my best friend.
David, about the twenty you owe me....lol The entire time I had the car and needed to switch a lamp, I would re-visit this same video. Thank you x 2 for watching.
It’s cool to hear from other Mazda 3 owners
It is very much an underrated car.
All the other videos were no help but this one was perfect. Thanks man.
Tricky little job very well demonstrated. Best I could find find on You Tube. Tip: Re-fitting the clip can be a pig, Use a small mirror to work out what you need to do and have a go. Many thanks to cfldriven.
Best vid so far. Didn't think I had to take the entire bumper assembly off LOL! Thanks!
People like you make youtube awesome
And people like you make it worth doing, thanks for watching.
Watched this video and was able to change the bulb in literally 10 minutes. Thanks for posting this 👍🏽
Wow that is impressive, always took me a lot longer. Thanks for watching.
Thanks! These instructions worked perfectly for me.
Clear explanation of how to unlock and lock the latch back and what angle you need to put the bulb back...at 11 o'clock
Easy as! Best instructions I've seen
Thank you, that is much appreciated. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for taking the time to make this! It helped me a lot more than the other videos.
Thanks for sharing... I sent an hour trying to get that stupid clip on and its still not on yet. But this video is giving me confidence to try again. Thanks again!!!
Many thanks for a very helpful video! BOTH my mainbeam lights went during the same journey, so had no idea whether I could legally drive before getting them fixed. Watched the vid and decided to give it a go, despite not being slightly mechanical - yes, it's very fiddly, but end result was that both were changed, so just paid the price of the bulbs! Thanks again....
Great story, glad it worked for you
Very clear explanation, will change my headlight bulb tomorrow :)
Thanks for the easy to follow video, that exact bulb just went out on my M3hatch, so this is very helpful for me.
Perfect instructions! Thank you for posting!
Thanks very much, wouldn’t have been able to do it without this video as reference!
Appreciate the kind words, and delighted to hear it was helpful. Thanks for watching.
The replacement of the bulb is shown as relatively easy in video. However this is not always the case and not just with Mazda cars, some cars do need the bumper removing. The headlamps are a vital safety factor. Restricted vision of the driver or restricted visibility of the car on the road is a vital safety factor and can cause accidents often fatal. People should stop buying cars with headlamp bulbs that can not be replaced quickly and easily when they fail. It should not be difficult and certainly should not be a job for a garage.
EU made some legal regulations against such practices. So right now you don't have to worry about changing the bulb in your new car.
Perfect instructions for me on my 2008 Mazda 5. Apparently the same headlight setup as the 3.
Just burnt the same light, will try this tomorrow.
Thank you very much!
Thanks is so helpful i did change my car light with your instructions.
thanks for the vid. its was more hard to remove the clamp holding the bulb in but got it. also when putting the new new light on you may want to mention next time its not going to snap in. you must line the new light up with the two screws on each side while holding with one hand and pull clamp down with other hand. otherwise youll drop the new bulb and break it.
Mazda certainly could have made it easier. Appreciate your tip.
Hey thanks so much for the video so helpful. I did it myself, well actually my son had to help me push the clip back into place... I have zero upper body strength and I really couldn’t do it but everything was so darn easy thank you so much again!!!
So happy to hear this 5 year old video is still empowering people to tackle this project and succeed and at the same time save some money. Thanks for the feedback.
Wow,I did it!!!! Its not too hard,after this film.Thanks!!!!
The clips bend easily. Try latching it a few times with the bulb out, and bend it so it slips in easily. Then you're in business. Knowing that would have saved me about an hour with sore fingertips.
Yes not one of Mazda's best ease of replacement designs. The clip does keep the lamp in place and properly aligned so be careful not to deform it. Thank you for the tip.
I followed this and it worked! Really great tutorial.
Thanks heads saved some time on this... well done
Thank you for the feedback, good to hear it helped.
Great video very handy, I dont need to change my headlight bulbs, but i think i will because you did such a great job!!
Preventative maintenance! At some point they will burn out. Thank you for the feedback.
Thanks for the video. I replaced the bulb in 5minutes.
Appreciate you sharing your experience. Congrats it always took me longer.
Great video. Still struggling with getting the clip back on, but will keep trying.
Keep at it, otherwise it really expensive for the dealer to do it. Try to visualize it, it took several attempts on my part which means anyone can do it. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@@cfldriven I finally figured it out. I took the boot, bulb carrier and bulb fully out, stuck a bright light in there so I could see, and just tried to get the clip engaged witbout anything in the way. Then I noticed the small sheetmetal lip it's supposed to catch on, and once I saw that, it all made sense. I clipped it in without the bulb or carrier, confirmed that it's secure, then unclipped, added bulb with carrier and clipped it in right away, then added the rubber boot. It helped to understand how it's supposed to latch. Thanks again for the video and pointing me in the right direction! 👍
@@ganymede3141 That is wonderful news, congrats on taking the time and thinking through it. Thank you for also sharing how you did it with everyone.
Thanks for this video, it saved $30 of service fee.
Glad it saved you money.
I'll have a go at this tomorrow! Thanks!
How do u adjust the headlights on the mazda3 2005
This is the fucking most aggravating mechanism I've ever worked with. I don't understand who thought this would be a good idea
This is absolutely incredible.
You're my master and personal Jesus! Thanks!!!
Good I(dea). Gloves is the first thing I got.
Next is swapping out the ridiculous cd player.
Thanks for everyone's efforts!
Glad it helped
Thanks for the video. It really helped me out.
Thanks vm. I hope it goes that easy for me
this was very helpful, cheers bud :)
Thank you for posting this!
Thank you very much for this!
You are welcome, thank you for the feed back
Nice work, I just replaced my bulb 20 minutes ago... Without seeing this video... That damned clip was a bitch without knowing how it clips on or off.
Great demo' - very clear!
How is the base where you put the bulb called!? I bought a Mazda 3 2005 and it has that part missing
I would think "Halogen lamp holder", but an auto parts person should be able to get you a name and part number. Junkyard probably cheapest place to buy one. Good luck.
ive tryed in up down over under sideways across befor and after and it wont catch help please?
i have a mazda 3,, the fog lights have burn up,, burnt the wires,, now the passenger side headlight is burning (smoking) the same,, what is the problem
Wish I had seen this video sooner, one of my headlight blown out and I when I tried to replace the bulb, I threw out the old bulb WITH the base on it 😐😐, I had to replaced it with the H4 bulb so that it'd fit in the socket but the alignment is all off and I've been driving blind since.
Totally sucks, can you get the base from Mazda dealer? On the bright side now you know how to deal with the next lamp that goes out. Thanks for commenting.
I modified an old flathead screwdriver (Long shaft is best) by cutting a slot (hacksaw blade width) in middle, holds spring clip so you can maneuver back into position. this worked way faster! Good luck people.
Reply
Thank you for sharing a helpful solution.
Thanks for your brilliant suggestion. I used a heavy duty staple remover tool - that did the trick
Thank you !
You're welcome, hope it helped you out. About the only thing I did not like about this car, thankfully I only needed to replace them once in 12 years.
Mine the rubber needs to screw.. Cant remove plug either since its screw .. Have mazda 3 2004
hi. can anybody tell me the exact name of the plastic connector / adapter that comes on the bulb
Cheers mate huge help 👍
Glad to hear it was helpful.
good video, thanks boss!
how can i find the connector (the first part the you disconnect) the part its connect to the socker
Any good auto part store can get you the plug that connects to the lamp. Whether you get at auto parts or from the dealer you will then need to crimp it onto the old wires. Hope this is the answer to your question. Good luck and if can subscribe.
I wish he would have done the left side as well; the bulb assembly I took out was L-shaped. - yes, I have a 2005 Mazda3
i think you took out the highbeam
Thank you
Thanks for viewing.
should i disconnect the battery ?
No need to disconnect the battery. Just make sure the lamps are off and key is out of ignition.
What are the gloves for?
Good question, oil from your fingers will get on the lamp and with cause a hot spot during operation that will shorten the bulb life.
@@cfldriven thank you, i changed my bulb rn👍
@@p373r21 Congrats on succeeding where many others have failed.
Thanks a lot ! :-)
Thanks a ton!
"You can do it too!" I really hope so. Being a single girl sucks but if I manage to do this, it'll be thanks to your video!
Put it in you definitely got lucky.
Dave, a lot of visualizing and some luck helps but worth the trouble just to save the mechanic charge. Thanks for watching.
@@cfldriven ill never pay a so called mechanic to change a globe my friend
@@daveperryLXXVII A lot of people do, but I prefer to DIY approach.
Just put in low beam bulbs on mazda 5 2009'. Stupid setup. Passenger side was very difficult to install. Removed coolant tank with flat screwdriver to get better access to socket. Square tab clocked in at 11 on driver side and passenger side. Glad it's not my car.
You did better then me, since you got the coolant tank off. I tried doing that for a coolant flush and just gave up. Didn't want to damage anything. It secured as if it was made of gold. If you ever make a video let me know.
legend
One of my fave cars.
What about the driver side? Can't even get to it.....
Right now that clip from hell is stuck along the side of the lightbulb housing in stead of where it goes, and the end of it is in the rim of upper part of the of the round housing that the dust cover goes on and for the last 3 hours I have been trying to get it out of there, and I want to kill something.
I have a 2005 Mazda 3. Mine does not look like this.
This was a hatchback which came in three trim levels, while the sedan came in four trim levels. I recall that Mazda offered HID heallamps on certain trim packages. That may explain the difference or someone may have swapped in aftermarket headlights.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for your clear and detailed help in what can be a formidable task! Putting the clip over the new bulb flange was beginning to be a chore, and then i said,...Oh, Lord, i forgot to ask You for help! And tried again and He helped me! Dear friend, thanks for your labor and help in this and it is my delight to tell you that our Lord Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures to save all those who will receive Him by the faith that He gives, for His glory and for everlasting Joy in being with Him, and being once and for all delivered from eternal torments in the lake of fire for all who will not. Please read the Gospel of John, and receive Him as He promises that, "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Thanks again, and again.... aye in Jesus,
daniel
YOU GOT ANTs ON YOUR COOLANT
John, they are drawn to this honey of a car?
Mazda mechanics wanted a whole day to change these bulbs on my brother's car. They wanted to charge him $120 because of the worst design for a headlight clip in the history of the world.
Certainly not DIY friendly. Happy the video helped.
Why. There. Make it so hard to take that s.....ht. Off
well anybody can change the right side, now show us how to change the left side.
I would except I no longer have the car, and in the 12 years of ownership only the passenger side lamp went out.
Worst design ever
I agree in 100%
I had no idea about the spring... Thanks, I did this job quickly thanks to you
Congrats on getting it done quickly. Even knowing what do it was still a tough job to do. Good news is they seldom need replacing, bad news is the replacement car is no easier. Thanks for watching.