The C5 generation of the popular Chevrolet Corvette was produced from 1997 through 2004. Headlight doors were introduced on Corvettes back in 1963 and continued through the C5 years. The C2 and C3 models used a vacuum canister system to open and close the doors. In 1984, the General Motors introduced a new motorized door operating system that continued through the C5 years. There are many headlight upgrades available from Corvette aftermarket suppliers that will improve your nighttime visibility. Follow these steps to change the headlight bulbs on your C5.
Turn the ignition key to the accessory position. Turn on the headlight switch to raise the doors and then quickly back to the park position. This will leave the doors open with the headlights off.
Lift the hood by pulling the hood release lever inside the car. The Corvette hood opens from the windshield side. Carefully lift the hood edge with your hand and extend it until fully opens.
Remove the screws that attach the plastic headlight bezel to the assembly using a Phillips screwdriver. There are screws on each side of the bezel.
Remove the headlight bezel by carefully pulling on the outside edges of the housing. Pull the housing towards you, tilt it upwards, and remove it from the car.
Locate the headlight wiring harness behind the headlight assembly that goes to the defective bulb. Reach in and twist the bulb socket counterclockwise, and pull the bulb straight out of the hole.
Unplug the defective bulb from the harness and discard. Connect a new bulb to the harness and push it back into the hole. Turn the socket clockwise until the bulb seats into place. Make sure you replace the defective bulb with the proper lamp. The inside bulb is a high beam lamp, and the outside bulb is the low beam.
Replace the headlight bezel and attach the screws.
Turn the headlight switch on and test. Turn the switch back off and close the hood.
