Replace A Headlight Bulb On A 1998 Olds Silhouette, Chevy Venture, Pontiac Trans Sport Minivan

Projects & Repairs --> Lights --> Headlights --> 1998 GM Minivans

Replace headlight on GM front-wheel drive minivans.

Replacing A Headlight On A
1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Also Applies To Chevy Venture and Pontiac Trans Sport Minivans

(Covers 1997 to 2005 Model Years)

In This Article:

A couple of wing nuts are removed, then the turn signal light housing is set aside. The headlight housing is removed, the bulb wiring is disconnected and the retainer ring is removed to release the bulb.

Related Articles:

Skill Level: 2 (Basic)

Time Taken: About 20 Minutes

By Jim Wilk, Licensed Auto Body Technician

Start:

To replace the headlight bulb, I first removed the wing nut (left arrow) and wing bolt (right arrow).

Pliers are sometimes needed to start them turning. I also found penetrating oil to be necessary because this area is exposed to the weather.

Fasteners holding headlight and turn signal assemblies, Chevy Venture, Pontiac Trans Sport, Olds Silhouette.

Removing parking light or turn signal assembly, GM minivan, 1998.

Then I removed the park lamp / turn signal assembly by prying with a big screwdriver from the back side by the headlight.

I pushed the parking light off to the side.

If the turn signal bulb or side lamp bulb need to replaced, I can turn the bulb socket to remove the bulbs.

Third fastener for headlight assembly, GM minivans.

To remove the headlamp assembly I remove the third wing bolt (red arrow).

When changing the bulb, this electrical connector needs to be unplugged.

This can be unplugged by lifting up on the ends of the blue tabs and pulling the connector out.

Electrical connector for head light bulb, Olds Silhouette, Chevy Venture, Pontiac Trans Sport minivan.

Removing bulb retainer for headlight, GM minivans.

I twisted the black bulb retainer and then I was able to pull the headlight bulb out.

Then the bulb can simply be pulled out and replaced.

Note: I did not actually replace the bulb in this case... so my pictures don't exactly show the normal procedure.

Note On Handling Headlight Bulbs:

Do not touch headlight bulbs with your bare hands, because the oil on your skin can ruin the light bulb. Use a paper towel or tissue to handle the new light bulb.

View of the headlight mounting panel.

The two holes on the bottom are where the pegs on the bottom of the headlight assembly go.

Headlight assembly and mounting points, GM 1998 minivan.

Olds Silhouette minivan with new headlight.

The headlight assembly after being replaced.

More Info:

Tools Used:

Pliers
Large Flat Screwdriver

Materials Used:

Headlight Bulb

Related Articles:

Web Links:

AllMinivans.com

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