Paul's Travel Pictures

GMC Terrain Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out low beam, high beam, turn signal or side marker light bulb in a 2010-2016 GMC Terrain.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-001
2016 Terrain Headlight
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-002
Turn Front Wheels
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-003
Plastic Wheel Well Liner
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GMC Terrain in changing a burnt out low beam, high beam, front turn signal or front side marker light bulb in the headlight assemblies.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Acadia, Yukon, Denali, Savana, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro, Corvette, SS, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado and Express may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Low Beam # H11, High Beam # 9005, Front Turn Signal # 7444NA and Side Marker # 194.

The tools needed to access and replace the bulbs include a Torx T20 screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.



 

If you have an early model year GMC Terrain, there should be a round easy access cover held in place by a single Torx T20 screw. Just remove the single screw and rotate the wheel well cover 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-004
Pry Up Top of Fastener
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-005
Pry Out Base of Pop Rivet
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-006
Loosen Torx T20 Screw
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry up the center part of the two black plastic pop rivet fasteners along the outer edge of the wheel well liner.

Then pry out the base of each fastener. Set the two pop rivet fasteners aside in a safe place.

Remove the bottom screw by turning it counterclockwise with the Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-007
Pry Up Middle of 2nd Rivet
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-008
Pry Out 2nd Pop Rivet
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-009
Remove 2nd Torx T20
Loosen the top Torx T20 screw by turning it counterclockwise.

Set the two Torx screws aside with the two pop rivet fasteners.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-010
2 Pop Rivets & 2 Screws
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-011
Screw Under Bumper
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-012
Remove 7mm Screw
Look under the front bumper cover and locate the single screw.

Remove the screw by turning it counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-013
7mm Screw Removed
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-014
Pull Back Wheel Well Liner
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-015
Low Beam Bulb Housing
Set the 7mm screw aside in a safe place.

Gently pull back the black plastic wheel well liner or "splash guard" to access the rear of the headlight housing.

The Low Beam headlight housing is located near the outer edge of the assembly.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-016
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-017
Dust Cap Removed
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-018
Base of Old Low Beam
Rotate the round black plastic dust cover 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight off.

Set the dust cap aside in a safe place.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-019
Pull Back Retaining Clip
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-020
Power Plug Disconnected
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-021
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Gently pull back the retaining clip on the electrical connector before sliding the power plug straight off the base of the old low beam bulb.

Rotate the base of the old low beam bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-022
Remove Old Low Beam
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-023
Old Osram H11 Bulb
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-024
Empty Bulb Socket
The OEM low beam is an Osram H11 12V 55W halogen bulb.
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-025
Insert New H11 Bulb
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-026
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-027
Push On Power Plug
Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your fingers or anything greasy in the engine bay.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it clean with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Insert the new H11 bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Push the power plug straight on to the base of the new bulb until it clicks securely in to place.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-028
Replace Dust Cover
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-029
High Beam Dust Cover
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-030
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Line up the round black plastic dust cap and rotate it 1/4 clockwise to secure it in place.

The High Beam housing is located closer to the inner edge of the headlight assembly.

Rotate the round black plastic dust cover 1/4 turn counterclockwise before removing it.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-031
Base of Old High Beam
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-032
Pull Off Electrical Connector
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-033
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Gently pry back the black plastic retaining tab on the power plug before sliding it straight off the base of the old high beam bulb.

Rotate the base of the old bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.



 

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-034
Sylvania # 9005 Bulb
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-035
Empty Bulb Housing
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-036
Install New 9005 Bulb
The OEM high beam light is a Sylvania 9005 halogen bulb.

Avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb. Grease or dirt on the new bulb will cause a hot spot and shorten its useful life. If it does get dirty, wipe it clean with a rubbing alcohol moistened paper towel.

Insert the new 9005 bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Push the electrical connector straight on to the base of the new bulb until it clicks securely in to place.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-037
Line Up Plastic Cover
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-038
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-039
Turn Signal Bulb Socket
Replace the round dust cap by turning it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

The Front Turn Signal light bulb is located near the top of the headlight assembly.

(You can also access the front turn signal bulb socket from the top of the engine bay by removing the three plastic pop rivets on the cover above the headlight housing and fold it up. You will see the turn signal socket just below the cover.)

Rotate the black and grey plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-040
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-041
Pull Out Old 7444NA Bulb
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-042
Push In New 7444NA Bulb
Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.

Push a new amber colored number 7444NA bulb in to the socket.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-043
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-044
Front Side Marker Socket
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-045
1/4 Turn - Remove
Re-insert the turn signal bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

The Front Side Marker bulb socket is located near the top outer edge of the headlight assembly.

For some reason, the side marker bulb socket on this 2016 Terrain required a 1/4 turn clockwise to remove it from the housing.

In my experience, almost every other vehicle has bulb sockets that require a 1/4 turn counterclockwise to remove the bulb sockets.

So if you can't remove the side marker bulb socket by rotating it in the normal counterclockwise direction, try turning it the opposite direction, which is 1/4 turn clockwise.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-046
Bulb Socket Removed
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-047
Pull Out Old # 194 Bulb
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-048
Empty Bulb Housing
Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new number 194 bulb.

If necessary, you can also use any other miniature wedge base bulbs such as the 168, 158, 2825, W5W or a compatible LED bulb.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-049
1/4 Turn - Lock
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-050
Replace Wheel Well Liner
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-051
Re-Insert Pop Rivet
Re-insert the socket in to the housing and turn it 1/4 turn counterclockwise to secure it in place.

If your side marker bulb housing is "normal", you would rotate the socket 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place.

Push the wheel wheel liner back in to place.

Make sure that the center pieces of the two plastic fasteners are raised up.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-052
Push In Center To Lock
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-053
Replace Torx T20 Screw
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-054
Replace 2nd Torx T20
Re-insert the two black plastic fasteners and then push in the center parts to secure them in place.

Replace the two screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction with a Torx T20 screwdriver.

GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-055
Replace Bottom 7mm Screw
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-056
Test New Headlight Bulbs
GMC-Terrain-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-057
Testing High Beam Bulb
Replace the screw under the bumper cover by turning it clockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

Test the new light bulbs by turning on the headlights, activating the hazard signals and flashing the high beams.

For more, check out my other 2010-2016 GMC Terrain DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info