Buy Pontiac Sunfire Headlight Bulbs

A Pontiac Sunfire headlight bulb (also called a headlamp bulb, front light bulb, or low/high-beam bulb) is the small replaceable light source inside your headlight housing. It lets you see the road and lets others see you. From the factory, the Sunfire used halogen bulbs. (Halogen bulbs get very hot-handle by the base only and follow the warning on the bulb package.)

Pontiac Sunfire bulb fitment changed over its run. Use the right Òlamp numberÓ for your model year:

• 1995-2002: 9007 (single bulb does both high and low beam). This is listed as ÒHalogen Headlamps, High/Low-Beam 9007Ó in the owner's manual. (dezosmanuals.com)
• 2003-2005: separate bulbs for each beam - Low beam: H11. High beam: H9. Confirmed in the 2004 and 2005 owner's manuals under ÒReplacement Bulbs.Ó

If you're unsure, check your car's glovebox manual under ÒReplacement Bulbs,Ó or look at the printing on your old bulb base. The manuals show the bulb tables and simple diagrams for access.

• Bulb type: Halogen (factory)
• 1995-2002: 9007 dual-filament does both beams
• 2003-2005: H11 low beam (single-filament), H9 high beam (single-filament)
• Front turn/parking lamps on later cars use 3457A (amber) and tails use 3057, shown with the headlight table in the manual.

Here's the basic factory method (summarized from the owner's manuals):

1. Open the hood and remove the plastic fasteners holding the upper shield.
2. Remove the bolts holding the headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly slightly forward.
4. Twist the bulb retainer about one-eighth turn counter-clockwise and pull the bulb out.
5. Unplug the connector, snap in the new bulb, and reverse steps to reassemble.
   (Do not touch the glass; oils can shorten bulb life.)

Sunfires were built with Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). In daylight, the car turns on the low-beam headlamps at reduced brightness when certain conditions are met (ignition on, parking brake off, etc.). That's normal and explained in the manual's ÒDaytime Running LampsÓ section. (dezosmanuals.com)

After a bulb change, aim matters. A quick driveway check uses a flat surface and a wall. Standards like SAE J599 base checks on a screen 25 feet from the car; your goal is to keep the low-beam cutoff at or below the marked line to avoid glare. State inspection charts echo the 25-foot wall method. (rosap.ntl.bts.gov, site.utah.gov)

Thinking about ÒLED conversion bulbs?Ó In the U.S., NHTSA's 2024 interpretation says no LED replaceable light source is currently permitted in a headlamp designed for replaceable halogen bulbs (like the Sunfire's). Some LED bulbs are sold online, but that doesn't mean they meet federal rules for on-road use. Always check federal and state laws before modifying lights. (NHTSA)

Light output depends on the bulb and the condition of your lenses. Cloudy plastic headlight covers can dramatically cut light; Consumer Reports testing shows old headlights can be dangerously dim and recommends restoring or replacing hazy lenses. They also advise replacing headlight bulbs in pairs so both sides match in brightness and color. (Consumer Reports)

• One side out: check the bulb first; if good, check fuses labeled ÒLT HDLPÓ (left) and ÒRT HDLPÓ (right) in the fuse blocks shown in the manual. (dezosmanuals.com)
• Both sides dim: clean the lens covers; if still dim, new halogen bulbs often help. (Consumer Reports)
• Flicker: re-seat the connector until it clicks; inspect for corrosion or a loose ground near the headlamp. (The manuals show headlamp wiring and fuse locations.) (dezosmanuals.com)

• Switch lights off and let the old bulb cool.
• Wear gloves; do not touch the new bulb's glass. The manual warns halogen capsules are pressurized and can burst if scratched or dropped.
• After install, test low and high beams and a quick aim check against a wall. (site.utah.gov)

• 2002 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual (bulb table lists 9007).
• 2004 & 2005 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manuals (bulb tables list H11 low, H9 high). (dezosmanuals.com)
• NHTSA interpretation (2024): LED Òreplaceable light sourcesÓ not permitted in replaceable-bulb headlamps. (NHTSA)
• Headlight aiming references (25-foot wall method / SAE J599). (rosap.ntl.bts.gov, site.utah.gov)
• Consumer Reports on dim/aging headlights and bulb replacement tips. (Consumer Reports)

Pick the correct lamp number for your year (9007 for 1995-2002; H11/H9 for 2003-2005), install carefully without touching the glass, and do a quick 25-foot aim check. Keep lenses clear, and replace bulbs in pairs for even light. Follow the legal guidance if you're considering non-halogen ÒconversionÓ bulbs. (dezosmanuals.com, site.utah.gov, NHTSA)