2003 Cadillac CTS headlight assembly installation

Tiny
BRIMSTONE2400
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
Can you please provide me with information on how to replace the headlight assemblies on my 2003 CTS?
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 4:48 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Here is the verbal instructions, unfortunately the illustrations will not paste.

Headlamp Assembly or Headlamp Bulb and/or Cornering, Sidemarker, Park, Turn Signal Bulb Replacement
Removal Procedure
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

Remove the push-pin retainers on the air deflector to allow access to fascia extension retainers.
Open the hood.
Remove the push-pin retainers that secure the appropriate side of the grille and fascia to the upper tie bar.
Remove the first push-pin retainer past the center in order to allow the grille to flex.

Remove the front fascia extension. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Extension Replacement.

Remove the bolt (2) that secures the front fascia to the fender.
Loosen the bolt (1) that attaches the front fascia to the fender.
Pull the front fascia forward to align the fascia studs with enlarged portion of the hole within the key slot in the fender.
Gently pull the front fascia downward to disengage it from the front fender.

Remove the 3 bolts that secure the headlamp to the vehicle.
Disengage headlamp washer hose, if equipped.

Important: A high amount of force is necessary to perform the next step.

Pull the headlamp straight forward to disengage the headlamp ball stud from the fender socket.
Reach behind the headlamp to disconnect the headlamp electrical connector.
Pull the top part of the front fascia and grille assembly forward only far enough to remove the headlamp assembly from the vehicle.
Remove the headlamp assembly from the vehicle.
Remove the headlamp bulb cover from the headlamp assembly.
Caution: Halogen bulbs contain gas under pressure. Handling a bulb improperly could cause it to shatter into flying glass fragments. To help avoid personal injury:

"Â Turn off the lamp switch and allow the bulb to cool before changing the bulb.

"Â Leave the lamp switch OFF until the bulb change is complete.

"Â Always wear eye protection when changing a halogen bulb.

"Â Handle the bulb only by its base. Avoid touching the glass.

"Â Keep dirt and moisture off the bulb.

"Â Properly dispose of the used bulb.

"Â Keep halogen bulbs out of the reach of children.

Remove the headlamp bulb from the headlamp assembly.
Installation Procedure
Install the bulb to the headlamp assembly.
Install the headlamp bulb cover to the headlamp assembly.
Install the headlamp assembly.

Pull the top of the front fascia and grille forward to install the headlamp to the vehicle.
Install the headlamp assembly to the vehicle.
Reach behind the headlamp assembly to connect the headlamp electrical connectors.

Important: It will take a high amount of force to perform the next step.

Press headlamp assembly rearward to engage the headlamp ball stud (1) into the fender socket.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

Install the 3 bolts to secure the headlamp to the vehicle.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 6 N Â m (53 lb in).

Lift the fascia upward in order to insert the fascia studs into the fender key slots.
Slide the fascia rearward to attach the fascia to the fender.
Install the bolt (1, 2) to secure the fascia to the fender.
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 9 N Â m (80 lb in).

Install the front fascia extension to the vehicle. Refer to Front Bumper Fascia Extension Replacement.

Install the push-pin retainers to secure the upper portion of the front fascia and grille to the upper tie bar.
Close the hood.
Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

Position the air deflector to the vehicle.
Install the push-pin retainers to secure the air deflector to the vehicle.

The front fascia extensions are in the wheel wells at front:
Front Bumper Fascia Extension Replacement
Removal Procedure
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

Remove the push-in retainers securing the front fascia extension.
Remove the front fascia extension from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure

Position the front fascia extension to the vehicle.
Install the push-in retainers to the front fascia extension.
Lower the vehicle.
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Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
BRIMSTONE2400
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your instructions. I was able to figure it out by looking at the construction of the vehicle's front and from previous information. I ended up doing the steps you described. I must say though that I have never had to go through so much trouble to replace a headlight assembly. The CTS is an absolutely fantastic car but the headlight access leaves a little something to be desired.
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 AT 3:08 PM

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