Dodge Ram
1500 Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out low/high beam
headlight or turn signal bulb in a 4th generation 2009-2013 RAM 1500 truck.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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2012 Ram 1500 Headlight |
Pry Up Pop Rivet Fastener |
Friction Fastener Removed |
This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the fourth generation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013) Dodge
RAM 1500 truck in replacing a burnt out combination low and high
beam bulb or front turn signal light bulb in the headlight assemblies. Owners of other Dodge, Ram Trucks, or Chrysler vehicles such as the Dart, Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500, C/V Tradesman, 200, 300 and Town & Country may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement headlight bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Combination Low & High Beam Bulb # H13 (9008) or Low Beam # H11 & High Beam # 9005 (for models with two separate bulbs), and Front Turn Signal # 3157A (Amber - 2009 to 2011 model years) or # 3157 (clear - 2011 to 2013 Model years). The tools needed change the headlight bulbs include a flathead screwdriver, a 10mm socket and a ratcheting wrench. |
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Pry Out Inner Fastener |
Pry Out Inner Pop Rivet |
Inner Fastener Removed |
To gain access to
the headlight bulbs, you'll first need to remove the black plastic radiator
shield and also the front grille of the vehicle. Use the flathead screwdriver to pry out the four "pop rivet" friction fasteners that hold the black plastic radiator cover in place at the front of the engine bay. |
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Passenger Side Fasteners |
Fourth Fastener Removed |
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There are two
fasteners near the center of the vehicle and two near the outer edges. It may be easier to just leave the fasteners in the radiator cover rather than pulling them entirely out. If the pop rivets do come out, set them aside in a safe place. |
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Radiator Cover Removed |
Four 10mm Grille Bolts |
Course Thread Outer Screw |
The front grille of
the truck is held in place by four 10mm screws at the top and two friction
fastener clips at the bottom. Remove the four bolts by turning them counter clockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench. |
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Remove Inner 10mm Bolt |
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The two inner
screws that are inserted into the metal frame are shorter and have fine
threads. The two outer screws that go in to a plastic bracket are longer and have course threads. |
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Four Grille Screws Removed |
Inner Screw - Outer Screw |
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Set the four 10mm grille screws aside in a safe place. | ||
Gently Pull Grill Outward |
Release Clips At Bottom |
Upper 10mm Headlight Bolt |
Tilt the top of the
grille slightly outwards and then gently pull out the two friction fasteners
at the bottom. Set the grille aside in a safe place. |
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Upper Screw Removed |
Lower Vertical 10mm Screw |
Remove Lower Bolt |
The headlight
assembly is held in place by two 10mm screws and a white plastic slide lock
in the wheel well area. The upper screw is horizontally mounted while the lower screw is orientated vertically. |
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2nd Headlight Bolt Removed |
Two 10mm Headlight Bolts |
Turn Wheel To Opposite Side |
Remove the two
screws with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench by turning them counter
clockwise. Set them aside in a safe place. Turn the wheels all the way to the opposite side of the burnt out headlight bulb that you are replacing. |
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Wheel Well Access Panel |
Pry Out Inner Piece |
Inner Piece Removed |
Move to the wheel
well liner or "splash guard" and locate the single fastener that secures the
rectangular access panel. Pry out the smaller center piece of the fastener first with the flathead screwdriver and then pry out the larger outer piece. |
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Pry Out Fastener |
Open Splash Guard Panel |
White Plastic Slide Lock |
Open the wheel well
access panel and wedge it on the top of the tire to hold it in place. Use a flashlight to locate the white plastic slide lock that holds the headlight in place. |
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Push Up Lock To Release |
Gently Pull Out Headlight |
Turn Headlight Over On Bumper |
Push the slide lock
straight up to release it. If you have trouble releasing the slide lock up,
push the headlight backwards with your other hand. Carefully pull the headlight housing off the front of the vehicle, turn it over, and rest it on the bumper. To help avoid scratching the painted bumper or the plastic headlight lens, place a towel in between them. |
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1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
Pull Out Headlight Bulb |
Red Lock Tab |
Grasp the base of
the headlight bulb socket and rotate it 1/4 turn counter clockwise before
pulling it straight out of the housing. Slide the red locking tab on the power connector straight back to unlock it. |
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Slide Red Tab Down |
Press Green Release Button |
Pull Off Power Plug |
Press the green release button on the power connector and separate it from the old headlight bulb. | ||
Philips H13 12V 60/55W |
Headlight Bulb Socket |
Insert New H13 Bulb |
Insert a new #
H13 combination low and high beam headlight bulb in to the housing and rotate it
1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your fingers or anything dirty in the engine bay. If you do get the bulb dirty, wipe it clean with an alcohol moistened paper towel. |
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Push On Power Connector |
Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
Push the green plastic power connector straight on to the base of the new bulb until it clicks in to place. | ||
Pull Out Socket |
Pull Bulb Straight Out |
1/4 Turn Clockwise |
Rotate the smaller
black plastic turn signal light bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and
pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old turn signal bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new clear # 3157 / 3157K bulb or an amber colored 3157A bulb depending on your model year. Insert the socket back in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place. |
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Testing New Headlight Bulbs |
Insert Upper 10mm Screw |
Insert Lower Vertical Screw |
Test the new bulbs
by turning on the headlights and activating the hazard signals. Push the headlight assembly back in to place and insert the two 10mm screws. |
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Tighten Lower 10mm Bolt |
Lower Screw Replaced |
Tighten Upper 10mm Bolt |
Tighten the two headlight screws with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench. | ||
White Plastic Slide Lock |
Push On Headlight Housing |
Pull Slide Lock Down |
Move to the wheel
well access panel and pull the white plastic slide lock in to the down
position. If you have trouble moving the slide lock, push on the headlight with your other hand while sliding the lock down. |
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Headlight Slide Lock Engaged |
Close Access Door |
Insert Larger Outer Piece |
Close the wheel
well liner access panel and insert the larger outer piece of the fastener at
the bottom. Pop in the smaller inner piece of the wheel well liner fastener. |
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Push In Smaller Inner Piece |
Grille Fastener & Slot |
Grille Friction Fastener |
Line up the friction fasteners at the bottom of the grille with the slots on the front of the vehicle. | ||
Slot On Front of Truck |
Push On Bottom of Grille |
Insert Outer 10mm Screw |
Push the bottom of
the grille in place until you hear the two friction fasteners click. Replace the four grill screws and tighten them with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench. |
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Inner 10mm Grille Screw |
Tighten With 10mm Socket |
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Be sure to install the shorter screws with fine threads in to the inner holes and the longer course threads screws in to the outer holes. | ||
4 Grille Screws Replaced |
Plastic Radiator Cover |
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Line up the black
plastic radiator cover on the front of the engine bay. Push the four pop rivet fasteners in place. |
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Push In 4 Pop Rivets |
Friction Fasteners Secured |
Test New Low/High & Signal |
Test the new bulbs
by turning on the headlights, flashing the high beams and activating the
hazard signals. For more,
check out my other
Dodge RAM 1500 Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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