How to Install Headlights on an 01 Cavalier

The Cavalier received its first and only major redesign in 1995, when General Motors scrapped the outdated and old-looking boxy body in favor of a wedge design. This stylish design made up for the fact that Chevy deleted both the convertible and V-6 options from its entry-level vehicle. The convertible returned in 1996, but the V-6 was gone for good. Along with this redesigned body came a fancy new pair of teardrop-shaped headlight assemblies. Replacing the headlights in the 2001 Cavaliers teardrop headlight assemblies is a quick and straightforward repair.

Instructions

1

Open the Cavaliers hood and locate the radiator sight shield, which is the black plastic cover on the front of the engine compartment. Remove its six pin-style retaining clips by prying the center pin on each clip upward with a flat-head screwdriver until it stops moving, then prying each clip from the sight shield. Remove the sight shield.

2

Remove the two headlight retaining bolts positioned just behind the headlight on the upper radiator support beam using a ratchet and socket. Lift the headlight up and pull it forward to remove it from the vehicle. Pull it out only far enough to access the wiring on the rear of it.

3

Pull upward on the locking tab on the headlight wiring harness, then pull the wiring harness from the headlight.

4

Remove the headlight locking ring, which is the black plastic ring around the socket end of the headlight, by turning it counterclockwise and pulling it from the headlight. Pull the headlight straight out from the headlight assembly.

5

Slide a new type 9007 headlight into the rear of the headlight assembly, aligning the notches on the headlight with the tabs on the headlight assembly. Guide the headlight locking ring onto the rear of the headlight and twist it clockwise to lock it into place. Plug the wiring harness into the headlight socket.

6

Set the headlight assembly back into its bed on the front fascia of the Cavalier. Line up the bolt holes in the headlight assembly with those in the upper radiator support beam and hand-thread the headlight assembly bolts. Tighten the headlight assembly bolts with a ratchet and socket.

7

Install the headlight on the other side of the Cavalier, following steps 2 through 6.

8

Set the radiator sight shield back on the front of the engine compartment. Insert the six pin-style clips into their holes and press the center pin into each clip to lock them into place.