How to Replace Headlight and Bulb 05-10 Chevy Cobalt 

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

Thank you 1A Auto Parts. What would have cost me dearly at the dealership cost me peanuts by buying the parts and installing them myself. I set aside a day and a six pack for the job of replacing both headlight assemblies. It took me 20 minutes and half a can to do the entire job thanks to this excellent and very accurate instructional video. Thanks again 1A Auto Parts!

Like many others, I found the removal a lot more difficult than what is shown in the video. My advice for anyone struggling with this is to remove the pointy side at the fender first, then pull up from the bottom. The bumper hugs the inside lip of the headlight, so it will not come out on that side without breaking it.

Love youtube. I can learn how to do anything on here.

This was the best video I've used to replace my headlights. I used a different one the first time I replaced the headlights myself and it instructed me to remove the rubber holders to the front bumper, where this one only had me remove the two screws and twist the headlight out. You saved me $40, the corner mechanic wanted to charge me to replace the bulb. thanks!

Just replaced the whole headlight assembly, they were a pain in the butt to remove even watching multiple videos. You made it look easy, mine did not come out because my bumper is warped and was like that since new, typical GM quality. The new ones wouldn't line up perfect either after playing with them for over 2 hours. Scratched and cracked the paint in spots on the bumper, was a very frustrating experience.

Dam he got the headlight itself out a lot easier than I did. I have a 06 cobalt. The hardest part for me was gettin the headlight to pop out . After u get it out an disconnect the headlight the rest is cake.

Great video! I removed the plastic rivets around the top of the grill. made it easier!

Great vid, just helped me change em out! The twisty advice to popping the casing out helped the most, struggled less than the last time I did it.

I changed my light bulb thanks to you and your instructions. I didn't have the right tools but I pulled it off.

I have a 2008 cobalt. The mechanic said there are more bolts to take out to remove the light. Showed him this video to try to save money, but it's not the same.

Thank you 1A Auto! What would have cost me dearly at the dealership cost me peanuts by buying the parts and installing them myself. I set aside a day and a six pack for the job of replacing both headlight assemblies. Took me 20 minutes and half a can to do the entire job thanks to this excellent and very accurate instructional video.

Was able to replace both bulbs on my '07 Cobalt. Thank you for the guide.

Thanks for the video! It helped me change my bulb in 10 minutes!

Thanks for the video. I love how the camera is kept 20 ft. from the car so I can't see what you're doing. I can tell by the comments all sounding exactly alike they were left by your P.R. employee. All I learned by watching your video is to take out the 10mm bolts. The rest is terrible 😔

Great video. I was able to replace both assemblies in my '09 without any problems. Quick question, should one need to realign the head lights after a full replacement? If so, where on the lights in this vehicle do you do that?

Thank you so much! Had no idea that the ring had to come off in order for the bulb to come out. In the amount of time it took for me to do it the wrong way, I was able to replace both in less time after I watched that one piece about the ring.

Great walk-through video. Saved me some money!!! 07 Chevy Cobalt

You made it look so easy... cross your fingers because I'm going outside to do this! Thanks guys!

Thanks for this!! I was able to do it myself.. It wasn't as easy as u made it look. But I did it. Lol

Great old video helped me out today! I bought bulbs at O Reilly's and with the help of this video it took us ten minutes to change both lights!

Just did the driver side head light bulb today after 90.300 miles,, getting the assembly out was a bit of a pain and with a $10 replacement bulb it works great,,, bolts back in tight,,, Great video to watch before the job,,, Thanks,,,

Thanks for this how to. it saved my wife and I $140 to have the dealership take off the front and change the light. just did it this afternoon.

It's a bit more difficult for me to pull that headlight out than in the videos. Is this because it's the first time these lights have had to be pulled out ? or am I doing something wrong? Got it out though and still think these videos are great.

You guys and gals are wonderful, your videos have helped me fix various cars and trucks. Thank you.

Thanks!! I was having a hard time doing it.. but your video was very helpful!!

Thanks! $6 bucks and I'm all set to go again!

Thanks, I forgot how the bulb comes out. This video helped a lot. Thanks again.

I'm so very thankful for this video. I was going to be charged $50 + the price of the part to replace the bulb. Not today fellas! Thank you so much.

THANK YOU! I'm recently divorced and now learning how to do more than put gas in my car and change tires. You are a God send!

Thanks a lot! I just changed a front left turn signal bulb today as you indicated in the video.

I LOVE you! You seriously help me with any and all my car troubles!

Just want to thank you guys at 1A Auto. Your videos are easy to follow and very helpful!

oh great i have the exact same car its also a 05 and i dont want to waste to take it to a mechanic to change my headlight, thanks a lot! :)

Thank you for the video, I've always had imports. My wife has a cobalt, I HATE domestics with a Passion.

Thank you, though the assembly didn't just pop out like you showed, but I got it!

Great video!!! At 58 this was me first time replacing and your video made a scary task very do-able!!!! Thank you and have a Merry Christmas

You are THE BEST! I changed my mom's bulb and it works great!

Well that was far more complicated than on my Ford Escorts ('88 and '93), but thanks to your video the job is done. :) :)

Thank You so much, this helps tons, made all the differences, and got the job done. I give 2 thumbs up.

Thanks for the video and the info about 1A Auto Part! I ordered the replacements (both) and they work as advertised! Thank you!!!

MORE TIPS because the above kindly shows an ideal + "I've done this before" scenario. Worst-case Scenario. YOU CAN DO THIS! It just may ALSO require another person, some flathead screwdrivers, some isopropyl alcohol. TIPS: 1.) To remove headlamp itself: The headlamp housing's own clip-together construction may act as "retaining clips" which may prevent the headlamp from being easily removed; mine took 2 flatheads simultaneously and bending of the plastic body of the car to remove it. It's easier if you get the pointy ("outer most") portion out first and fenangle from there. Have fun! 2.) Unplug MAIN Power Connector for the whole housing: pull up some on JUST the big black "clip" in the (NOT any end ones that are grey) and ALSO pull MUCH harder than expecting to to get the thing apart (fair -- it has rubber seals to keep out moisture). 3.) Plastic circular odd-AF "ring" that seems like a modified version of a spraypaint can lid: THIS is the lamp's retaining ring and it may not turn anti-clockwise (when looking at the lamp base) enough for it to be removed by just your own hand. Try pushing towards lamp WHILE turn it (to compress the lamp's gasket and ideally make it easier to remove). That still might not work; it's an odd size and shape to grip, so so you may need another person hold the headlamp while you turn it. You may even need to place a shaft of sorts (longer screwdriver) and use the space between the "tabs" of the ring it to leverage-it-off; I did and yes, the damn lamp itself will be in the way. Godspeed! 4.) Note the orientation of the flat part of the plug before you pull the old lamp out -- FEEL IT solely if you have to; the new one will orient in the same way. The old lamp pulls straight out. All 6 (3 tiny inner metal, 3 outer larger) tabs must line up on the new lamp. 5.) Take old lamp out, put new one in. Do NOT touch the glass part of the bulb itself. If you even think you touched it, clean the glass envelope of the new lamp (new bulb) with isopropyl/"rubbing" alcohol and a paper towel/CLEAN cloth. Skin oils can literally cause lamp explosions later; that cleanup and replacement is MUCH worse than some rubbing alcohol now. Put lamp straight in; those tabs must all line up. 6.) Continue reversing the process: look at the black plastic retaining ring and see how those lamp tabs will travel in the grooves and need to sit in "shelves" in the plastic. They'll do this by it needing to be turned THAT MUCH, not just until it gets difficult to turn (vibrations, which are "the car being turned on" are unforgiving and don't care about "try," they require "do"). You may need another person to hold the thing and/or a shaft to have enough leverage to accomplish this. Once you know your objective of how it needs to lock in, place the plastic black round (odd AF) "retaining ring" back on and turn it anti-clockwise (when looking at the back of the lamp) until it truly clicks into its happy home position.

You helped me twice with this video lol. Its still a tricky booger

Honestly at the mechanics they tried to charge me 200$ to replace the light bulbs. I’m like it cost that much just to change a light bulb?? They came up with some bs story saying that they had to completely remove my bumper etc etc and it was mainly labor costs. Yeah no thanks. Thanks for youtube and this video it literally took me less than 10mins to do it on my own. DONT LET MECHANICS SCREE YOU OVER!

easier than my altima. my wife has a cobalt and this helped a lot, thanks.

Hey i just changed my headlight! Thanks for the video. I also put a 10mm socket in my "most useful tools" bag.

Just a few extra pointers to removing the headlight. There are tabs on the bottom and on the outer corner of the headlight there is a little plastic tube that fits in a hole so it must wedge out of there in order to remove the headlight. If you don't pry it out correctly there are plastic tabs on the bottom that will snap off. It's a bit tricky to get off but I did save myself a trip to the mechanic without needing to take the bumper off.

Mike, you're awesome! Your videos have helped out so many times.

It is very easy to do, the more you do it. The trickiest part is getting the buckets out, then putting them back in once you have changed the bulbs.

I just want to throw this in here because I looked everywhere trying to find something that showed how to adjust headlights on a 2009 Cobalt. I figured it out myself. Yours just might be the same as this. There is an allen scrrew or bolt AT THE TOP OF THE HEADLIGHT. Just turn it either way to make the headlight go up or down.

Your videos are so helpful! Some of us didn't have anyone to teach us these things; but its something we can pass down to our kids. I tried to buy a mirror from you guys because you had a video on how to replace the entire unit; but you didn't have the model for my truck though. I'll definitely keep checking your store before buying parts elsewhere; if people scope out your prices, they're the best deal on the internet.

These fit absolutely perfect thanks 1aauto!

Appreciate it, step dad told me I had to fix my car on my own, so i am 🤣🤣 this helped a lot

oh god thanks for this instructional video ... its helps a lot ...... thank you thank you ..

THANK YOU! I feel like a big boy.

thank you,,, that made my replacement easy and cheap.....ty

I figured as much as everyone else that it would be way harder to take it out as I have done several rear lights. This was my first headlight but I thought it would be similar to the rear and it was. I carefully used a thin putty knife to help move the light fixture around and keep the bumper area slightly pushed down to help the fixture come out without getting broken. Once I had it out I only had to fight off the bulb from the socket. That was the most challenging part as it was really stuck in the socket tight and I didn't want to break the old one coming out. It took me about 10 minutes to nudge the bulb out and the new one snapped in quick. I popped it all back together and had the new light working in about 20 minutes.

thank you so much for this video. I followed your step by step instructions, so easy......thanks again!

Any advice for those struggling with a really stubborn headlight collar? Mine just won't budge when I try to put it back.

Hi Mike I notice you didn't put a towel or anything down on the bumper before you pulled that headlight out are you not concerned about scratching something up? other than that great video.

Thank you for the instructions. Now I can spend the time I saved doing something I'm actually good at...drinking beer.

Just changed mine, pretty easy to do on a 2008 cobalt, Thanks!

Don't touch the headlight bulb with your bare hand the oils on your skin will shorten the life of the bulb.

You don’t mention that there are clips/slides on the bottom of the assembly that break if not removed correctly. Mine are now broken, thanks for that.

Thank you for this helpful video, I just replaced the headlight on my 2005 pontiac pursuit

Thanks guys. Very helpful!

To remove the headlamp: mine had 2 "tabs" that needed to be pressed down at the same time (2 flathead screwdrivers needed) at the pointy portion top AND bottom of headlamp.

Great video I replaced my tail light with ease thanks to your video. Now that my headlight was dim I thought to just replace it and it came out with ease but sadly the light is not out its just really dim so it's not getting enough current. But if my light ever goes out I know where to turn!

Hello, I have a question. The driver side headlight beam adjuster will not move my headlight beam up or down. Is there anyway to fix this? Or do I need to replace the headlight? They are oem headlight on 2009 cobalt

Hi! I recently replaced only the turn signal bulb in a Chevy Cobalt 2009 and now the low beams don't work. The high beams still work. Any idea what could be causing this? I've tried two different bulbs and the outcome is the same: low-beams don't work but turn signal and high beams do.

Thank you! Just fixed my Coby! :)

thank you for your video. it helped me out on this vehicle and others.

Why is it so difficult to get the headlights out of my 2009 Chevy cobalt? I was told I have to remove the bumper first is that a lie? If I try to shake/ maneuver it out it won’t come out.

If only I can actually pull it out that easy.

Thanks - you made it look easy gave me the confidence to do it. Great video!

Thank you this helped so much!

i just ordered and replaced the entire headlight thanx to the video...but when i lock the door and arm the stock "alarm" the light doesnt flash like the others in the new one. did i do something wrong?

I can’t get it out of place. A guy at autozone said I’d need it done at a shop because it won’t come out so I can do it myself.

I had to loosen the fender bolt that's closest to the headlight just a little to remove the headlight on my mother's Cobalt.

can you make or do you have a video about how to replace the light bulb on the break light on the trunk? this would be for a 2006 chevy cobalt

Thanks for your help! My car looks exactly like this but it's a 2006. It was so simple to do, thanks again!

is this the same for a 2 door

Thanks great job

For the wiring in an 2006 cobalt what connection do the new bulbs need?

Thank youu!! Omg I was lost on how to change it😮😮

Was that with or without the brackets? I need to order both driver and passenger side but I don't know if I need the brackets..

We currently do not have an auto repair video that shows you how to do this. We'll keep this request in mind in the event that we need to make this repair in the future.

Thank you very much! very helpful

The orange cover for the turn signal fell off inside the assembly on my headlight - can it be taken apart to fix this?

you need to be a little more specific on using that little nut to adjust the light, a standard socket doesn't seem to work well because the metal is soft and I cranked them / the screw on the back nearly all the way in and the light beams are still too low. what am I doing wrong?

What is the bulb you used for the headlight?

The only prob I have with this video is there was no clear direction on how to remove the bulb, please reshoot with an over head view of you removing the bulb I have damaged the old bulb trying to get it out without knowing it was just the old bulb

Great video thanks very helpful

I don't recall him mentioning blocking a wheel so the car stays still while I use brute force to get the damn headlight assembly out. Maybe the passenger side comes out easier. The driver side headlight on mine will not come out.

Which Bulb is the turn signal bulb?

A closer angle on the headlight assembly would've been helpful but thank you for the detailed instruction.

It would be useful if you could actually show what you are doing. You are not really showing what the back of the headlight looks like.

Mine does not pop out like that.

Thank you!!!

I'm actually about to help a buddy out that had this same issue.. I retrofit headlights with H.I.D. projectors. You could try this if that reflector really bugs you. Do a youtube search for "how to open your headlight" The second from top result by Michale Flare is a great example on how to do it.