I recently was given this car to me by my Mother-in-Law as a salvageable title. In Ca, the Department of Motor Vehicles requires that all lights function properly. So, I was looking around other forums and hope somewhere here has some experience with this as for any "gotchas". Here is what I am planning on doing:

1.) remove the existing headlight assembly and debris (Done as of 03-17-08)

2.) Order a left headlight unit with integrated parking light. This is needing to be a combined unit as the fender is too smashed to install a parking light on it's own, basically the bolt holes aren't there anymore.

3.) The top bolt pattern looks to be in great shape as to mount the headlight assembly as does the lower bolt (right behind the bumper)


I know at this point in time, and here is where I need help.... that I need to drop the front bumper and by doing so, I need to disconnect and disable the SRS Airbag system, is this correct? I tried finding multiple threads on proper/safe techniques of disconnecting the SRS system and basically they say to remove the fuse after battery disconnect..Anyone have suggestions or steps for this (if even necessary)..

Pics are located here to show extent of damage which is not very much..

I appreciate anyone's honest help here and of course any tips of what to watch out for.. I haven't worked on a car since my 1965 Mustang so pretty green here.

http://i194.photobucket.com/al...4.jpg

 

Simply take the negative battery terminal off, wait a couple minutes, then proceed to take the bumper off. Have fun! Be sure to have everything plugged back in before you restore power (put the neg. terminal back on) just to be safe so you don't throw a light or anything. I HIGHLY doubt you would but better safe than sorry. Hell, I've taken airbags out before without anything happening with the battery still connected though I wouldn't recommend it. Just disconnect the batter, wait a few minutes, do your thing, then connect the battery again. You'll be fine.

 

Thanks, it seems cut and dry, jsut afraid of those "what the hell????" moments

 

Ok, sorry one more question before ripping into this project.

I don't have any reference for the parking light, but I was checking all of the harness connections for the lighting to make sure nothing got severed during the wreck. All seems to work well, normal lights, high beams, blinker... but the wreck totally smashed out and there is no remnants of the parking light. Currently, attached to the flex loom harness are two connectors (typical female connectors you would find on a stereo installation) a red wire and a black wire. Are these the parking light connectors? Again, lame question but I don't know anyone who has this type of car and if you seen the other side, you would know that the battery pretty much makes it impossible to see down the passenger side to make a comparison...

I purchased a manual on the net already, waiting for it to come...so I plan on RTFM. I am pretty excited to get this ride registered, so it would be nice to know in advance if I need to order anything else.. (for wiring harness).