Help changing headlamp bulb in 01 Civic

[dm_h_2007]

Hey guys I need to change the bulb in my sisters 2001 Civic. I already bought the bulb but it’s not as easy as I thought. It’s the LHD driver’s side lamp and you can not just pull the bulb out the back because the wiper fluid intake and some other stuff total block it. I undid the two bolts on the top of the headlamp its self but it will not budge and must be attached from below etc.

Does any one know how to change this? How do I get the headlamp free so it will come out and I can remove the bulb?

Thanks for any help!

[saadie]

Originally Posted by brembo Not exactly sure on how the Civic are put together, but the two bolts you undid might have something to do with the alignment of the lights...hehe...

hehe owned

well maybe you have the take the bumper off ... there might be some more screws below the headlight housing ? .. maybe :roll:

[dm_h_2007]

Yeah defiantly noting to do with the alignment because it did not move at all in any direction. Also that wouldn’t really matter because I can tell I'm going to have to pull the entire headlight piece up out of the front of the car to replace the bulb. So any alignment would have to be reset anyway. I could just take it in but now I’m determined to do it myself. I mean come one I should at least be able to replace a burned out headlight myself!!

I will look for more bolts down in the grill. I also posted the question on a Honda only board. Hopefully someone will give me some help. Too bad Honda didn’t just design it to be easier to replace headlamp bulbs in the first place. I mean if Honda's reputation is that they will run for 200k - 300k miles you would think they would make it easier for owners to do routine maintenance like replacing burned out headlight bulbs!!

[ZfrkS62]

try this: Crank the wheels to the right and look at the inner fender liner for an access door or something. You may have to pull away the fender liner itself to see it. pulling the headlight itself should be your last resort.

[dm_h_2007]

Originally Posted by ZfrkS62 try this: Crank the wheels to the right and look at the inner fender liner for an access door or something. You may have to pull away the fender liner itself to see it. pulling the headlight itself should be your last resort.

Well I can tell there is absolutely no way to pull the bulb out without removing the whole headlight, there is just not enough room.

Ok long version of the story –

I bought the bulb at AutoZone and asked the guy if he could tell me how to replace it (like their commercials say they are supposed to do) so he looked up the 01 Civic on the computer and said “oh yeah this is not an easy one”. I had him come out to the lot and actually look at the car with the hood up. He is the own that said to remove the two bolts, pull the headlight unit out, and replace the bulb without letting your skin touch the bulb (of course for all halogens). So obviously he didn’t know what he was talking about but agreed there was no way to replace the bulb without removing the headlight.

[ZfrkS62]

why don't you just buy a chilton manual for it? I wouldn't let the guys at VatoZone change a fuse in my car

[dm_h_2007]

Originally Posted by ZfrkS62 why don't you just buy a chilton manual for it? I wouldn't let the guys at VatoZone change a fuse in my car

Whats a chilton manual? And one would think you would not have to "buy" anything just to change a headlight bulb! With this great thing called the internet and one of the most common cars in the world, you would think I should be able to get info for this routine issue from like a million different sources! For free!

[saadie]

try removing the things behing the bulb then ?

uhh kill the brakes .. your sister bangs the car .. get new headlings ? ....

[T-Bird]

try pulling the washer reservoir out of the way they usually can move or atleast the coolant reservoir if it right there. on the 2nd gen Acura RL's you have to pull it out and it isn't bolted in it just pulls straught up. now being a Honda you should NOT have to pull the housing.

EDIT: after a little research you should have to just remove the powersteering fluid reservoir and pull out the bulb. if you had the hands/mind of a mechanic you should be able to do it without moving anything, just a little contortion. I would suggest wearing rubber gloves as it gives you less opportunity to touch the bulb. be greatfull you don't have to remove the ignitor to get to the bulb.