electrical

Headlight Assembly

for 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo · AWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.2 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Complete removal and replacement of the headlight assembly on a 2017 Maserati Levante, including disconnecting electrical connections and adjusting headlight aim after installation.

Warnings

⚠Disconnect battery negative terminal before beginning work to prevent short circuits and airbag deployment.

⚠Allow headlight bulbs to cool completely before removal if vehicle was recently driven. Halogen and LED components can cause burns.

ℹ️Handle new headlight assembly by the housing only. Avoid touching lens or reflector surfaces with bare hands as oils can cause hot spots and premature failure.

Tools required

Torque wrench (2-50 Nm range)Essential

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

Trim panel removal toolsEssential

T20 Torx driver

Phillips screwdriverEssential

Flathead screwdriver

Clean cloth or microfiber towels

Headlight aiming equipment or tape measure

Parts

Headlight assembly (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification
Plastic retaining clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Turn ignition off and remove key fob from vehicle
Allow headlight assemblies to cool for at least 30 minutes if vehicle was recently operated
Open hood and secure in raised position
Disconnect negative battery terminal and isolate cable away from battery post

Procedure

1
Disconnect battery negative terminal
Using a 10mm socket, loosen the negative battery terminal bolt. Remove the cable from the battery post and secure it away from the battery to prevent accidental reconnection during the procedure.
Torque spec
Battery Terminal Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
2
Remove front bumper cover access panel
Locate the access panel behind the headlight assembly in the wheel well area. Remove the plastic retaining screws securing the inner fender liner access panel using appropriate trim tools. Fold back or remove the panel to expose the rear of the headlight assembly.
Torque spec
Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3
Disconnect headlight electrical connectors
Locate the main headlight connector at the rear of the assembly. Press the release tab and carefully pull the connector straight back from the headlight. If equipped with adaptive headlights, disconnect the additional leveling motor connector. Note the routing of wiring harnesses for reinstallation.
4
Remove headlight adjuster cover
Locate the plastic adjuster access cover on top of the headlight assembly near the radiator support. Remove the cover by turning counterclockwise or removing retaining screws to expose the headlight mounting bolts.
5
Remove headlight assembly mounting bolts
Locate the three headlight assembly mounting bolts: one at the top center, one at the outer top corner, and one at the lower inner corner accessible from the wheel well. Using a 10mm socket, remove all three mounting bolts completely. Keep bolts organized for reinstallation.
⚠Support the headlight assembly while removing the final mounting bolt to prevent it from falling and damaging the lens or painted surfaces.
Torque spec
Headlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
6
Remove headlight assembly from vehicle
Carefully pull the headlight assembly forward and away from the vehicle. The assembly may have alignment pins that require slight upward or angled movement to clear the mounting points. Guide the assembly out through the front of the vehicle, being careful not to scratch adjacent body panels.
7
Inspect mounting points and clean surfaces
Inspect the headlight mounting bracket on the vehicle for damage, corrosion, or broken clips. Clean all mounting surfaces with a clean cloth. Check the condition of the alignment pins and rubber seals. If the bracket shows damage, remove and replace the bracket now.
8
Install new headlight assembly
Position the new headlight assembly near the mounting location. Align the locating pins with their corresponding holes in the body structure. Carefully guide the assembly into position, ensuring all alignment features engage properly. The assembly should sit flush against the mounting surface without forcing.
9
Install and torque mounting bolts
Install all three headlight assembly mounting bolts finger-tight first to ensure proper alignment. Once all bolts are started, torque each bolt to specification in a cross pattern (top center, then lower inner, then outer top) to ensure even seating of the assembly.
Torque spec
Headlight Assembly Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
10
Reconnect electrical connectors
Reconnect the main headlight electrical connector by pushing firmly until the locking tab clicks into place. If equipped with adaptive headlights, reconnect the leveling motor connector. Ensure all connectors are fully seated and locked to prevent moisture intrusion and electrical issues.
11
Reinstall access panels and covers
Reinstall the adjuster access cover on top of the headlight assembly. Replace the inner fender liner access panel and secure with all retaining screws, torquing to specification. Ensure all clips and fasteners are properly engaged.
Torque spec
Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
12
Reconnect battery and test operation
Reconnect the negative battery terminal and torque the terminal bolt to specification. Turn the ignition to the ON position without starting the engine. Test all headlight functions including low beam, high beam, turn signals, and daytime running lights to verify proper operation.
Torque spec
Battery Terminal Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
13
Perform headlight aim adjustment
With the vehicle on level ground and fuel tank at least half full, check headlight aim using proper aiming equipment or the wall projection method. Adjust headlight aim using the vertical and horizontal adjustment screws accessible through the adjuster access cover. Turn adjusters carefully to specification torque to set final aim position.
ℹ️Proper headlight aim is critical for safe operation and may be required for vehicle inspection. If unable to properly aim headlights, have alignment verified by a professional shop with aiming equipment.
Torque spec
Adjuster Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
Ensure headlight assembly sits flush with no gaps in surrounding body panels
Check that all access panels and covers are properly reinstalled
Verify all mounting bolts are torqued to specification

Verification

Test all headlight functions with engine running: low beam, high beam, fog lights (if equipped), turn signals, and daytime running lights
Verify no warning lights or error messages appear on the instrument cluster
Check headlight aim pattern on a wall or garage door from 25 feet away - beam cutoff should be level and not excessively high
Inspect for any light leaks or moisture inside the headlight lens
Verify headlight assembly is securely mounted with no movement or rattling
Test adaptive headlight function (if equipped) by turning steering wheel lock-to-lock with headlights on

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