Buy Buick Park Avenue Headlight Assembly

Overview

The headlight on a Buick Park Avenue lights the road, lets on-coming drivers see you, and gives the car its "face." Two main bulbs share the job: a 9006 low-beam for normal driving and a 9005 high-beam for extra distance. Keeping the lamp clear, aimed, and wired right is key to night safety. A 1995 factory recall even showed how a tiny aim pad error can matter. (Charm)

Generations

• 1991-1996 (first generation) - Rectangular glass lenses, adjust-from-top screws, and a traditional reflector bowl. Alignment how-to videos from this era still help today. (YouTube)
• 1997-2005 (second generation) - Smoother polycarbonate lens with built-in vents, new under-glove-box fuse panel, and the same H-body platform shared with other large GM cars. (Wikipedia, Fuse Box)
  Because both runs use the common GM H-platform, many wiring and aiming steps stay alike. (Wikipedia)

Bulb & Beam Types

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LED or HID kits can raise output to 4,000 lm-plus, but only if the beam is kept inside legal glare limits. (CBS News, Consumer Reports)

Common Problems

• Yellow haze - UV breaks down the plastic lens, scattering light. (Wikipedia)
• Condensation - Normal mist clears after a drive, but standing water means a leaking seal. (jamjar)
• Blown fuse - Low-beam fuse is position 18; high-beam fuses are 14 & 16 in the passenger box (1997-2005 cars). (Fuse Box)
• Mis-aim - Headlights set too high cause glare; too low cut reach. Standard 108 sets height and pattern rules. (eCFR)

Troubleshooting & Fuse Tips

If both lights go dark, check the headlamp relay first. If only one side fails, swap the 10 A mini-fuse for that side (positions above). A dim lamp with good fuses often means a corroded ground on the radiator support. Use a test-light to verify power. (Fuse Box)

Maintenance & Cleaning

Family-Handyman tests show a $15 sanding-and-polish kit can clear haze in under an hour. Finish with a UV-blocking seal so the fix lasts. (Family Handyman) For moisture, open the bulb cover, blow warm air inside for a few minutes, then reseal and check the vent slot is clear. (jamjar)

Legal Rules

In the U.S., every replacement lamp must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. That covers brightness, color, and beam cut-off. (eCFR) The rule also now allows adaptive "smart" beams that dim parts of the LED array, a move welcomed by safety groups worried about glare. (WBUR)

Upgrade Choices

• LED retrofit - Bright and efficient; aim is critical to stop scatter. (CBS News)
• Projector swap - Adds a focused cutoff, good for HID or LED capsules.
• High-output halogen - Premium 9006 bulbs rated up to 2,100 lm at the same wattage. (rallylights.com)
  Always re-aim after any change and check that the beam top edge hits the lower portion of a wall at 25 ft. (YouTube)

Environmental Impact

HID capsules D1S/D2S once used mercury; EPA guidelines say recycle these lamps at hazardous-waste centers, not household trash. Clear plastic housings are #7 polycarbonate; many local recyclers now accept them, which keeps bulky waste out of landfills. (Reddit)

DIY Replacement Steps

1. Pop the hood and disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the two retaining pins on top of the lamp.
3. Slide the headlight forward; twist the bulb counter-clockwise to release.
4. Fit the new bulb-no fingerprints on the glass-and lock it.
5. Reinsert the housing, push pins down, reconnect battery, and test.
   Full video walk-throughs are available for both Park Avenue generations. (YouTube)

Safety & Performance

Studies show halogen and LED lights transmit only 20-54 % of light in dense fog, with xenon slightly better. (Nature) Brighter is not always safer; What Car? surveys found many drivers dazzled by poorly aimed LEDs. (What Car?) Choosing the right technology and correct aim boosts visibility without blinding others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb codes fit every Buick Park Avenue from 1991-2005?
A: 9006 low-beam (HB4) and 9005 high-beam (HB3) fit all trims when the sockets are stock. (BulBConnection.com)

Q: Do I need to remove the bumper to change the headlamp?
A: No. Both generations use slide-up retaining pins you can pull out from the engine bay.

Q: Why does my headlight fog up on cold mornings?
A: Small vents let the housing breathe; temperature swings pull moist air inside, which condenses on the lens. It should clear once the lamp warms. (jamjar)

Q: Is it legal to swap in 6,000 K blue-white LEDs?
A: Color temperature itself isn't banned, but the beam must fall within Standard 108 glare and intensity limits, and the bulb must be marked "DOT." (eCFR)

Q: How high should the beam cut-off sit on a garage wall?
A: About 2 inches lower than the bulb height when you park 25 ft away on level ground. (YouTube)

Q: What fuse controls the low beam on a 2003 model?
A: Fuse 18 (10 A mini) in the passenger-side panel. (Fuse Box)

Q: My new LED kit is super bright but other drivers flash me. Fix?
A: Re-aim the lamp lower or add a projector to stop stray light; brightness alone isn't the culprit-beam shape is. (CBS News, What Car?)

Q: Are adaptive headlights coming for older cars?
A: After a 2024 rule, aftermarket adaptive LED modules can now be certified in the U.S., though few kits exist yet for the Park Avenue. (WBUR)

Q: What's the safest way to clean yellow lenses?
A: Wet-sand with 1,000/2,000-grit paper, polish, and seal with a UV clear coat, as demonstrated in step-by-step guides. (Family Handyman)

Q: Can I recycle broken headlights?
A: Yes-many auto-recyclers accept them, and HID bulbs should always go to a hazardous-waste site. (Reddit)

Q: Are brighter bulbs always better in rain or fog?
A: Not necessarily; too much white-blue light scatters more in mist, lowering contrast. (Nature)

Q: Will a bad ground wire dim both beams?
A: Usually it affects only one side. Clean both ground lugs on the radiator support for full brightness.

Q: What causes one headlamp to look dull even with a new bulb?
A: Oxidized reflector coating inside the housing; replacement is the only cure.

Q: Is there mercury in LED bulbs?
A: No. Mercury was used in some HID capsules, not in LEDs or halogens.

Q: How long do halogen bulbs last?
A: Average life is 500-1,000 hours; vibration and fingerprints shorten it.

Q: What is lumen?
A: It measures total light output; more lumens mean a brighter bulb. (BulBConnection.com)

Glossary

• 9005 / 9006 - Standard North-American bulb codes for high- and low-beam halogens.
• Beam cutoff - Sharp top edge of light pattern that stops glare.
• DOT - U.S. Department of Transportation marking showing compliance with FMVSS 108.
• FMVSS 108 - Federal rule that sets lamp safety standards.
• Projector - Lens-based headlamp creating a tight, focused beam.
• UV degradation - Sunlight damage that yellows polycarbonate lenses.

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