Buy Plymouth Acclaim Headlight Assembly

Summary
The Plymouth Acclaim used a clear-lens composite headlamp from 1989-1995 that shares its housing with the Dodge Spirit and Chrysler LeBaron sedan. It takes a dual-filament 9004 (HB1) halogen bulb for both high and low beams, wired through a three-pin connector. Keeping this headlight bright and legal means choosing DOT-compliant parts, aiming the beam correctly, and protecting the plastic lens from sun damage. Modern LED retrofit kits can fit the same socket, but Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 still requires the finished lamp to meet the same light pattern rules. Switching from halogen to LED cuts heat and power draw by as much as 80 percent while lasting tens of thousands of hours.

Overview

The Acclaim is a mid-size four-door built from model years 1989-1995, riding on Chrysler's AA platform and positioned between the compact Sundance and the full-size Gran Fury. Its headlamp is a composite style, meaning the housing stays in place while only the bulb is replaced. (pinterest.com)
Because Chrysler badge-engineered the platform, the same lamp assembly also fits the Dodge Spirit and the Chrysler LeBaron sedan.

Fitment & Specs

• Years covered: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995.
• Bulb type: 9004 (HB1) dual-beam halogen, 12 V 45/65 W, ~700 lumens.
• Socket: Three-pin P29t; one common ground, one low-beam hot, one high-beam hot.
• PartsLink number: CH2518102 covers left or right composite headlamp shell.
• Lens material: UV-stabilized polycarbonate to resist impact.

Common Issues

• Yellowing lens - Sunlight breaks down polycarbonate, causing haze that cuts light by up to 70 percent.
• Moisture - A torn butyl seal lets water in, fogging the housing. Remove the bulb, bake at low heat, reseal with automotive silicone.
• Dim beam - Corroded grounds or aging halogen filaments drop voltage; cleaning the ground strap often restores brightness.
• Broken aim tabs - Plastic adjusters can crack; aftermarket steel replacements last longer.

Installation Tips

1. Open the hood and unplug the three-pin connector from the rear of the lamp.
2. Remove the four Torx screws holding the headlight bracket. Slide the lamp forward.
3. Twist the bulb retainer counter-clockwise and pull the old bulb straight out. Avoid touching glass on the new bulb; oils shorten life.
4. Re-seat the housing, snug the screws, then aim. Park 25 ft from a wall, mark horizontal and vertical centerlines of each low beam, and adjust screws until the beam cutoff sits at or just below the tape.

Maintenance

Clean the lens with car-safe soap, then polish with a plastic-safe compound twice a year. Apply a UV sealant after polishing to slow yellowing.
Replace halogen bulbs in pairs; output can drop 20 percent over time even if the filament is still glowing.

Legal Standards

All replacement headlights must meet FMVSS 108 for beam pattern, brightness, and marking. If you choose LED capsules, the finished lamp still must pass the same photometry tests; simply having an LED is not automatic approval.

Upgrade Options

• Performance halogen: Premium 9004 bulbs use a hotter gas mix for up to 40 percent more down-road light while staying street-legal.
• LED retrofit: Plug-and-play 9004 LED kits can deliver 6,000 lumens at 6500 K and draw roughly half the power, but add a heat sink that needs clearance.
• Energy impact: LEDs waste far less energy as heat, cutting draw by up to 80 percent versus halogen.

Warranty & Longevity

A quality halogen capsule lasts about 320 hours of use. LED conversions advertise 30,000 - 50,000 hours, though real life depends on cooling and driver quality.

Environmental Impact

Switching both headlights to efficient LEDs can save roughly 20 watts while driving, multiplying into national fuel savings if adopted fleet-wide. LEDs also cut CO₂ by lasting longer, so fewer lamps reach landfills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb does my Plymouth Acclaim headlight use?
A: It uses a 9004 (HB1) dual-beam halogen bulb for both high and low beams.

Q: Do the driver and passenger sides share the same housing?
A: Yes, the left and right lamps are mirror versions of the same composite assembly and carry interchangeable PartsLink numbers. (pinterest.com)

Q: Can I swap in LED bulbs?
A: Yes, LED 9004 kits fit the socket, but the finished lamp must still meet FMVSS 108 beam standards.

Q: How do I aim the lights?
A: Park 25 feet from a wall, mark beam centers with tape, then adjust screws so the low-beam cutoff is even with or slightly below the tape.

Q: Why did my lens turn cloudy?
A: UV rays break down polycarbonate, causing yellowing; polishing and adding a UV sealant helps restore clarity.

Q: Are these headlights interchangeable with a Dodge Spirit?
A: Yes, they fit Dodge Spirit and Chrysler LeBaron sedans from the same years because all three cars share the AA platform.

Q: How often should bulbs be replaced?
A: Change them in pairs every two to three years or when light output noticeably drops.

Q: What tools do I need?
A: A Torx screwdriver, gloves, and dielectric grease for the connector pins.

Q: Are brighter halogen bulbs legal?
A: Performance halogens are legal as long as they carry DOT markings and stay within wattage limits.

Q: How much energy can LEDs save?
A: LEDs can use up to 80 percent less power than halogens, reducing strain on the alternator and saving fuel.