The car came from the dealer with a new "Warrant of Fitness" or "WOF", which ensured us that the major mechanical parts and safety features of the car were in good working order.

Now, a few months later, I discovered that the driver side headlight bulb has burned out. I removed the old bulb and visited the local Repco Auto Parts store to purchase a replacement.

The old part is a Narva 48881 H4 12V 60/55W combination low and high beam bulb.

The new bulb is a Mech Pro H4 Halogen Globe MPH4 12V 60/55W P43T. The H4 is also known as the # 9003.

No tools of any kind are necessary for this procedure.

The first step for replacing the headlight bulb in a 1993-1998 Toyota Carina ED is to open the hood.

Then examine the rear of the headlight assembly.

There are two large black plastic collar nuts on the back of the assembly.

One is for the signal light bulb near the outer edge of the assembly, and the other closer to the center of the car is for the combination low/high beam headlight bulb.

Next, gently jiggle and pull the power plug off the bulbs metal prongs.

Then pull the small tab on the rubber dust cover and remove it.

If you examine the picture of the old bulb closely, you can see that the metal wire connection for the low beam element is burned out and the connection is broken.

Any oil or grease on the glass bulb can shorten its life.

The new H4 bulb has three metal tabs around the outer edge of the metal ring.

It can only be inserted into the headlight assembly one way.

It should slide in easily and fit securely into the headlight socket.

(If necessary, the 9003 bulb should also be compatible.)

With the arms pinched together, snap them into place against the metal ring around the headlight bulb.

The black plastic collar nut only requires a 1/4 to 1/2 turn to secure it in place on the grey plastic headlamp assembly.

If for some reason the new headlight bulb does not work, try cleaning the power plug, check the wires for damage, and check the fuse box.