have one light out so replacing the pair but could use some advice from the good people here. 1) can i replace the headlights myself without difficulty? 2) looking for an inexpensive light-don't need any high performance type-rarely driven at night anyway. any recommendations? TIA

 

Replacing headlamps is a snap. Turn on the ignition without starting the car. Turn on the headlight switch so the lamps come up. Turn off ignition, the lights should stay up.
Any screws you can't get to to remove the lamp ring that secures the headlight are under the back covers on the headlights. Just remove the screws that hold the cover. The covers will slip off.
Anyway, there are 3-4 screws that hold the metal ring around the headlight. This ring is all that keeps the headlight in. Reverse procedure to put new light in...
Pretty straight forward...If you are old enough you would remember the old 1980's and previous cars with the same headlights. The only way to change a headlite in the old days!
You have changed conventionel headlights in older cars...???

 

thanks for the help!

 

The 1988 has the 8 inch flat lights( H-5)they have replacable bulbs . You remove the painted cover three screws and there is a bulb holder held to the back of the lens reflector housing by a spring clip . Do NOT touch the new bulb with your fingers the oils will cause premature failure . If the lens is broken cracked you must replace the entire light assembly which bolts to the big Y (rounded) shaped bracket . They cost about $250 each .

 

If it helps:
*Open the hood - you'll need some space to get at the inner screws closest to the engine on the plastic head light cover
*Turn ignition on without starting the car. Turn the headlights on so they rise to their upright position.
*Turn off ignition - the headlights should stay up.
*Using a magnetic head screw driver, remove the three small screws on the back of the plastic headlight cover. Slide the cover back toward the rear of the car and remove it
*Remove the 3 screws that hold another silver plastic ring around the headlight.
*Remove the 3 screws around a metal ring that secures the bulb into the mounts - its worth noting the top of the metal ring as there is a top screw position and two side/bottom positions
Important - do not confuse the two focusing headlight adjustment screws with any of these screws
*unplug the headlight bulb, Deoxit the connections and clean the area. Replace with a new bulb.
*screw metal ring back on
*screw plastic ring back on - I believe there are only 2 holes in the plastic ring and the ring holes should be positioned at the top and towards the hood.
*screw cover back on
*put the key back into the ignition and turn the key one click but not far enough to start the car. Turn on headlights lights to test and close hood
Older bulbs lose a lot of brightness. Also worth noting the screws involved are very small /short and can be easily lost.