How do you replace the headlight bulb on a 2001 Honda accord?

Answer 1

Answer
There are two bulbs, one for high beam, one for low. Lets assume you are asking about the low beam (procedure for high beam is similar, just a different bulb).

At your local auto parts store you should find a part number book in the headlight section. Look up the part number (#9006 should appear somewhere) for the local brand bulb for the Accord. This bulb assembly has a coating on the end of the bulb, can be silver or black. Remember not to touch the bulb glass! If you do the oils in your fingerprints will etch into the glass at the high temperature when the headlight is on, and lead to premature failure of the bulb. If you DO accidentally touch the glass, use alcohol and a clean cloth to clean it thoroughly.

Pop the hood and locate the low beam bulb (it is outermost in the assembly, closest to the car's fender). It will have a small wiring harness connecting to the bulb with a plastic connector. The bulb assembly is "L" shaped, the cylindrical bulb and its 3 surrounding tabs being at right angles to its connector, which is attached to the wiring harness connector.


The bulb/tab part locks into the middle of a plastic housing. There are three screws spaced around the opening, but the tabs and an interior O-ring are what holds the bulb assembly in place, NOT the screws (leave those alone!). With the wiring harness connector still attached (for leverage), rotate the bulb assembly counter clockwise (may take some wiggling and a bit of force). The bulb assembly will then be free from the plastic housing. Now remove the wiring harness connector by using a small slot head screw driver to pry the locking tab in the base connector away from the bulb assembly. while simultaneously pushing the connector off the bulb assembly. Expect to do more wiggling and prying to get it free (don't pull on the wires! pull on the plastic connector!), and then discard the bulb assembly.


Plug the new bulb assembly into the wiring harness connector and insert the bulb/tab part back into the plastic housing, then rotate clockwise until you hear it (or feel it) snap into locked position. You will probably want to turn on your headlights and check that the low beam is working again :-)


The job is complete once you've cracked a beer, grunted, and pointed at the car while exclaiming, "Hah! I win!"