Nissan Repair: maxima turn signal, road grime, nissan maxima

Question
Can you please tell me how to get at and replace the front turn signal bulbs on a 1998 Nissan Maxima?

Answer
Michelle,

Open the hood and unscrew the screw that holds the assembly on.  Look straight down at the lense under the hood and you will see the screw.  Now the screw is out pull out the lense in a forward motion and it will come out.  I like to use a rag to keep the paint from getting scratched.  Then turn the plug counter-clockwise and the bulb holder will come out.  If you are doing one you might as well do the other side since Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) on the bulbs is about equal and the other side will fail within a couple of months.  Also, there will be dirt on the inside of the assembly and it will get all over you so wear gloves if you are not into road grime and dirt.  I like to take the opportunity to clean up around the edges and wax the paint that you cannot normally get to as well as clean the lense assembly with Armorall.  Be sure not to get any water or Armorall inside the lense where the bulb goes in.  Remember, these are sealed and it is next to impossible to get dirt out of them.