Buy Dodge Magnum Headlight Assembly

Below is a deep-dive guide to the Dodge Magnum headlight-also called the headlamp, front light, or lamp assembly. It covers fitment, bulb sizes, fixes, upgrades, safety rules, wiring, and much more.

Overview & Fitment

The Dodge Magnum wagon was sold for model years 2005-2008 in North America . (Kbb.com)
Every trim (SE, SXT, R/T, SRT-8) came with a two-piece composite headlight unit that handles low and high beams in separate reflector chambers. The entire unit bolts to the radiator core support, making removal straightforward once the fascia is off. Factory wiring uses a dedicated jumper harness; this harness was recalled because the low-beam connector could overheat . (NHTSA)

Bulb Sizes

• Low beam = 9006/HB4 halogen capsule . (Custom Magnums)
• High beam = 9005/HB3 halogen capsule .
• Fog lamp (if equipped) = 9145; many owners swap in 9005s for more light .
  Always match the wattage printed on the old bulb and never touch the glass with bare fingers.

Common Problems

• Dim or dead low beam - May be caused by the 2014 P08 recall harness melting; replace harness and any scorched sockets . (NHTSA)
• Water or fogging - Moisture sneaks past the rear cap or lens seal. Blowing warm air inside or re-sealing with butyl rubber clears it up . (YouTube)
• Yellow or hazy lenses - UV oxidation blocks light. A light-sand, polish, and clear-coat restores clarity . (Popular Mechanics)
• Glare for oncoming drivers - Mis-aimed lamps or overly bright aftermarket LEDs can blind traffic . (WSJ)
• Blown fuse - Each high-beam circuit has its own 20 A mini-fuse (slots 1 & 2) in the engine-bay box . (StartMyCar)

Diagnosis Steps

1. Check fuses 1 & 2 for the high beams and fuse 9 (park lamps) .
2. Wiggle the headlight jumper harness while the light is on; flicker means heat-damaged pins . (NHTSA)
3. Inspect for condensation; if present, warm the housing and reseal . (YouTube, The Irish Sun)
4. Verify the ground bolt on the radiator support is tight-loose grounds mimic bad bulbs.

Maintenance & Care

Wash the clear plastic lenses whenever you clean the windshield; road film scatters light. Mild soap, microfiber cloth, and water are enough. A yearly headlight-restoration kit removes clouding before it reduces night visibility . (Popular Mechanics)

Aiming & Alignment

Magnum lamps use one vertical adjuster on top of each housing-turn clockwise to raise, counter-clockwise to lower . (LxForums)
Park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall, measure lamp-to-ground height, and aim so the cutoff lands two inches lower than that mark . (Family Handyman)

Electrical Details

The lights share a common ground and get power from the Front Control Module. Relay logic is inside that module, so there is no external headlight relay to swap. A "lights-on" chime warns if the switch is left on after key-off.

Upgrade Paths

• High-output halogen - 55 W premium bulbs give ~70 % more light without extra wiring when replaced in pairs.
• Projector assemblies - Aftermarket projector housings focus light better than stock reflectors, cutting glare . (XenonPro)
• LED retrofits - Legal only if the full assembly is LED-certified; drop-in LED bulbs alone do not meet FMVSS 108 right now . (NHTSA)
• Halo accent rings - For show use; check local law before adding colored halos because SAE J578 limits forward lighting to white or selective yellow . (ANSI Blog)

Legal & Safety

U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 sets beam pattern, brightness, and durability rules for every headlamp sold . (Federal Register)
SAE J578 defines legal headlight colors-only white or selective yellow are allowed in front . (ANSI Blog)
The 2022 NHTSA ruling permits adaptive "matrix" headlights once assemblies pass FMVSS tests; expect retrofit kits to appear as the rule is phased in . (NHTSA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years of Dodge Magnum use the same headlight?
A: All U.S. Magnums built for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 share the same housing shape and mounting points . (Kbb.com)

Q: Which bulbs fit the factory housings?
A: Use 9006 for low beam and 9005 for high beam; the fog lights take 9145 . (Custom Magnums)

Q: My new LED bulbs say "DOT approved." Are they legal?
A: Only if the entire lamp (bulb plus housing) is certified to FMVSS 108; plug-in LEDs alone are not yet legal in replaceable-bulb systems . (NHTSA)

Q: Why do my lights flicker when I hit bumps?
A: Heat from the recalled P08 jumper harness can loosen pin tension, causing intermittent loss-inspect and replace the harness . (NHTSA)

Q: How do I get rid of fog inside the lens?
A: Remove the rear cap, warm the housing with a hair dryer, then reseal with fresh butyl or silicone gasket maker . (YouTube, The Irish Sun)

Q: What fuse controls the high beams?
A: Fuses 1 and 2 (20 A mini-style) in the under-hood box feed the left and right high beams separately . (StartMyCar)

Q: How bright can I aim the headlights?
A: A good rule is to set the beam cutoff two inches lower on a wall at 25 ft; this meets visibility needs while avoiding glare . (Family Handyman)

Q: Are projector headlights better?
A: Yes. Projectors give a tighter cutoff and more usable lux than reflectors, so you see farther without dazzling others . (XenonPro)

Q: My lenses turned yellow. Can I fix them?
A: A DIY restoration kit with sanding discs and clear-coat removes oxidation and restores clarity in about 30 minutes . (Popular Mechanics)

Q: Why do new cars' lights seem too bright?
A: High-mounted LEDs on SUVs add intensity, and mis-aimed lamps create extra glare; NHTSA is studying adaptive solutions . (WSJ)

Q: Is colored halo lighting legal on the road?
A: Only white or selective yellow halos can be on while driving per SAE J578; any other color must be for show or off-road use . (ANSI Blog)

Q: Where is the headlight ground?
A: It's a short black wire screwed to the radiator core support near the washer-fluid neck; clean rust for best contact.

Q: Do I need to remove the bumper to change the headlights?
A: Yes. Remove the fascia clips and bolts, pull the bumper forward, then you can reach the three headlight bolts and the harness plug.

Q: What torque should I use on the headlight bolts?
A: Tighten each 10 mm bolt to about 4 ft-lb; overtightening can crack the plastic tabs . (Custom Magnums)

Q: Can I install HID bulbs in the stock housings?
A: It's not recommended-reflector glare increases. A full projector conversion is safer and more effective . (XenonPro)

Q: Will a cracked lens pass inspection?
A: Usually not. Any crack that lets water in or changes the beam pattern can fail safety checks.

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