It’s getting dark, you’re pulling out of the driveway, and bam, one headlight is out. That annoying flicker finally gave up. Now you’re stuck with the “winking” look that cops love to pull over. But hold up, you don’t need to drop cash at the shop. Grab a few tools, pop the hood, and you’ll have bright lights again before your pizza delivery arrives.
Key Takeaways: Park on level ground and turn off the engine, let everything cool down for ten minutes so you don’t burn your fingers, pop the hood and prop it open, locate the headlight assembly at the front, twist off the dust cover behind the burnt bulb, unplug the electrical connector by pressing the tab gently, release the metal clip or twist the bulb holder counterclockwise to pull the old bulb out, slide in the new H7 bulb without touching the glass part, lock it back in place, reconnect the wiring, twist the dust cover on tight, test the lights before closing the hood, and clean up your tools while feeling like a total champ.
Gather Your Tools and New Bulb
First thing, head to the auto parts store or order online ahead of time. For the 2015 Chevy Equinox, the low beam uses an H7 bulb, high beam is 9005, but most folks replace the low beam since it burns out more. Pick up a pair because the other one will probably die soon too. Get decent brands like Sylvania or Philips, they last longer and shine brighter. Don’t go super cheap, trust me.
While you’re there, grab gloves if you want to keep oil off the new bulb. Oil from your fingers can make it blow early. A flathead screwdriver or a 10mm socket might come in handy depending on your trim, but many Equinox owners get by with just their hands. Keep a flashlight or your phone light ready because it gets shadowy under the hood.
Now park your Equinox somewhere flat, turn everything off, and let it cool. Hot bulbs can shatter if you mess with them right after driving. Give it ten minutes, grab a drink, and come back ready to roll. Open the hood and look straight at the back of the headlight you need to fix. You’ll see a round plastic cover or wiring going in.
- Get the right H7 or 9005 replacement bulb
- Have gloves ready to avoid touching glass
- Keep a screwdriver or socket handy
- Let the car cool completely before starting
Access the Headlight Bulb
Walk to the front and pop the hood. The release is under the dash on the driver’s side, then lift the safety latch. Prop it open good. On the 2015 Equinox, both headlights are pretty reachable, but the driver’s side has a little more room because the battery sits on the passenger side.
Look behind the headlight housing. You’ll spot a big gray or black dust cover twisted on. That’s protecting everything from water and dirt. Reach in and turn it counterclockwise about a quarter turn. It should pop right off. Set it somewhere clean so you don’t lose it. Sometimes it feels stuck, just wiggle gently.
Once the cover is off, you’ll see the bulb plugged in with wires. The connector has a little tab you squeeze to unplug it. Press that tab and pull straight back. Don’t yank the wires, just the plastic part. Now the bulb is exposed and ready to come out.
- Pop hood and secure it open
- Locate and twist off dust cover counterclockwise
- Squeeze tab and unplug electrical connector
- Keep parts in a safe spot
Remove the Old Burnt Bulb
With the connector off, look at how the bulb sits. On the Equinox, there’s usually a metal retaining clip or the bulb twists in a socket. If it’s a clip, push it down and swing it out of the way. If it’s twist style, grab the base and turn left about a quarter turn.
Pull the old bulb straight out. Check it quick, you’ll probably see the filament broken or the glass darkened. That’s your culprit. Toss it in the trash, not on the ground. Now is a good time to shine your phone light in there and make sure no moisture or junk is inside the housing.
Hold the new bulb by the metal base only. Seriously, don’t touch the glass with bare fingers. If you do accidentally, wipe it clean with rubbing alcohol. The oils heat up unevenly and boom, short life. Slide the new one in exactly how the old one came out.
- Release retaining clip or twist socket left
- Pull old bulb straight out carefully
- Avoid touching new bulb glass
- Inspect housing for any damage or water
Install the Fresh Bulb
Line up the tabs on the new bulb base with the slots in the housing. Push it in gently until it seats all the way. If it’s the twist type, turn clockwise until it locks with a click. If it’s the clip type, swing the metal retainer back over and snap it secure. You should feel it lock tight.
Grab the electrical connector and push it onto the bulb base until it clicks. Give it a light tug to make sure it’s not loose. Loose connections cause flickering and headaches later. Everything should feel solid now.
Twist the dust cover back on clockwise until it’s snug. Don’t crank it crazy tight, just enough to seal. Hand tight is perfect. Double check that you didn’t leave any tools inside or pinch any wires.
- Align tabs and insert new bulb fully
- Lock with clip or twist right
- Plug connector until it clicks securely
- Reinstall dust cover snug
Test and Clean Up
Jump in the driver’s seat, turn the key to accessories or start the engine, and flip on the headlights. Both sides should blaze bright now. Switch to high beams too just to confirm everything works. If one still looks dim, maybe the bulb was bad or connection isn’t perfect, go back and reseat it.
Walk around front and make sure the beam pattern looks even. No weird shadows or anything. If you replaced just one side, the new bulb might look whiter or brighter at first, that’s normal until the other catches up in age.
Close the hood gently and latch it. Toss your old bulb responsibly and put tools away. Grab that victory beverage because you just saved yourself at least a hundred bucks and an hour waiting at the shop.
- Turn on headlights and check both sides
- Test high beams too
- Verify beams look even from outside
- Close hood and celebrate
Tools and Parts You’ll Need
Walk around back to the trunk or garage and gather everything before starting. Having it all ready keeps the job quick and smooth.
- Replacement H7 bulbs (low beam) or 9005 (high beam)
- Clean gloves or rag to handle bulb
- Flathead screwdriver (sometimes needed)
- 10mm socket and ratchet (passenger side occasionally)
- Flashlight or phone light
- Rubbing alcohol and paper towel for cleanup
- New dust cover if old one is cracked
- Zip ties if any wires look loose
Final Thoughts
There you go, your 2015 Equinox is lighting up the road like new again. You skipped the shop bill, learned something useful, and probably finished faster than calling around for quotes. Next time a bulb burns out, you’ll laugh and knock it out in twenty minutes flat. Drive safe out there, keep those lights bright, and enjoy the confidence boost that comes from fixing your own ride.
| Part Needed | Bulb Type | Common Brands | Average Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Beam Headlight | H7 | Sylvania, Philips, Osram | $15-30 each | Most common failure, buy in pairs |
| High Beam Headlight | 9005 | Sylvania, Philips | $15-25 each | Brighter, lasts longer usually |
| Dust Cover (if cracked) | OEM style | Dorman, aftermarket | $8-15 | Keeps moisture out |
| Gloves | Nitrile | Any auto store | $5 box | Prevents oil transfer to glass |
| Rubbing Alcohol | 91% | Drug store | $3 | Cleans fingerprints off bulb |
| Flashlight | LED | Any | Already own? | Essential for seeing behind housing |
| Socket Set | 10mm | Basic kit | $20 kit | Sometimes needed on passenger side |
| Zip Ties | Small | Any | $2 pack | Secure loose wiring if needed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it the same process for both sides on a 2015 Equinox?
Pretty much yes, but the passenger side feels a bit tighter because the battery and air box sit nearby. You might need to move the battery cover or reach around more, but the bulb removal stays identical. Just take your time, use a light, and you’ll get there without removing anything major. Many owners say the driver’s side takes five minutes, passenger maybe ten.
Can I use LED bulbs instead of halogen?
You totally can upgrade to LEDs for brighter, whiter light and longer life. But make sure you get ones designed for the Equinox with built-in resistors or canbus compatible so you don’t get error lights on the dash. Installation is the same twist and plug. The beam pattern is usually better too, no more dim yellow glow.
Do I need to aim the headlights after changing the bulb?
Usually no, because you’re swapping the bulb in the same housing, the aim stays put. But if you bumped the adjusters or the new bulb sits slightly different, check the pattern on a wall at night. There are vertical screws on the back you can turn with a Phillips to raise or lower if needed.
Can I change the bulb without removing the whole headlight?
Absolutely, Chevrolet made the 2015 Equinox pretty user-friendly. You reach everything from under the hood without pulling the bumper or assembly. Some cars make you remove half the front end, but not this one. Just twist off the cover and you’re in business.
Is it safe to drive with one headlight out?
Technically you can, but cops love giving tickets for it, especially at night. Plus you’re cutting your visibility in half, which gets sketchy on dark roads. Better to fix it quick or at least put on your hazards if you’re limping home. Safety first, always.
Do I have to disconnect the battery first?
Not required at all for this job. You’re just dealing with the bulb connector, no big voltage running through it when the car is off. Some folks do it for peace of mind, but millions swap bulbs without touching the battery and live to tell the tale.
Can daylight running lights burn out the same way?
The DRLs on the Equinox often use the high beams at reduced power, so yeah, they can wear out too. If your daytime lights look dim, you might need those 9005 bulbs instead. Same access, just reach the upper part of the housing.
Is there a difference between driver and passenger bulbs?
Nope, both sides use the exact same bulb type for low and high beams. Left and right are identical, so buying a pair covers you no matter which side goes dark first. Stock up and keep spares in the glove box for emergencies.
