How do you replace the headlight bulb on a 2004 Honda Civic?

Answer 1

Replacing the headlight bulb is not that easy on the Civic. It's much easier on some other cars. You'll need some tools, a flashlight if it's dark outside, and your hands are going to get very dirty.

If you have the Honda Civic manual, take a look at the pictures, they are helpful. (Don't bother with the manual. The pictures are useless and completely inaccurate!)

To replace the passenger side headlight bulb, you'll need to:

1. buy the correct replacement bulb from the store

2. move the battery forward a little. You'll need to remove one bolt (10 mm, I think) from the battery bracket, and push the battery toward the engine. This will give you enough room to put your hand in. Be careful with tools near the battery, so that you don't short it out. ideally, disconnect the battery terminals.

3. there are a few bulbs in the vacinity, determine which one you need to change.

4. push the electrical connector down, and wiggle it if necessary. Be careful not to break the connector or the wires.

5. turn the bulb 1/4 turn counter-clock wise. Take note of the clock position of the bulb when you remove it.

Note: be careful not to touch the new bulb with your fingers--your skin oils can cause the bulb to burn-out prematurely. If you accidently touch it, then clean it with rubbing alcohol.

6. put in the new bulb, in the same clock position as you took out the old one.

7. turn the bulb 1/4 turn clock-wise.

8. push the electrical connector up onto the bulb.

9. resecure the battery bracket with the bolt, reconnect battery if needed.

10. test the headlight.

I don't know how to replace driver's side headlight bulb. The manual says something about the windshield fluid tank. If someone can provide an answer that would be very helpful to everyone. (The 2005 manual says to remove the top part of the windshield washer fluid reservoir. This is impossible since the reservoir is all one piece and cannot be removed. However, the low-beam bulb cannot be reached without removing it unless you have paper thin hands and arms.)

-- I just replaced the driver's side bulb. I took a screwdriver and pressed in the tab on the white wire connector. Then I used two screwdrivers to press down on the 2 sides of the connector. Once it was off I could get my hands on the bulb connector to turn it the quarter turn as described above. It was a little tricky but easier than trying to remove the windshield fluid tank or the bumper. Hope this helps.

Option for the driver's side bulb: (posted 01/11/09)

I found a problem moving the windshield fluid tank as well. Unlike the user manual, it is all one piece and does not disconnect. Taking the cap off did provide a few more cm's of room. No problem moving the Power Steering reservoir using a flat head screwdriver. Another option to replacing the bulb in the driver's side headlight is to use self-adjusting arc joint pliers (e.g. RoboGrips). I was able to use the smaller size pliers, grip the bulb and apply just enough torque to loosen the bulb & replace it. I have small hands & had difficulty getting around the windshield washer reservoir and apparently after 4+ years of not having to replace the bulb, it simply did not want to budge.

If it's only the bulb which has gone, then there's no need to remove the front bumper (as was previously suggested).

Update 2/24/10:

Thank you for the suggestion of using 3 screwdrivers to get the electrical connector off. This is definitely the key to doing this job. Otherwise, it is virtually impossible. One cannot possibly push in the tab and at the same time pull the connector down, unless you have the hands the size of my 1-year old daughter! I found that it also helped to use the holes in the bracket of the frame of the car that were near the windshield wiper tank to help hold and guide the screwdrivers as I pushed down on the connector. All motion has to be pushing down. There is no way to "pull" on the connector from the top and at the same time push in the tab. Whoever made the suggestion to push down with 3 screwdrivers deserves a free beer! Cheers!

update 5/12/10: just replaced driver's side light using the methods described above. the 3 screwdriver method didn't work that great for me, the one stuck in the notch kept popping out. so i used vice grips to hold the tab open, then a screwdriver/rubber mallet combo to nudge the connector past the plastic tab of the bulb. after that i just used my hands to wiggle the connector the rest of the way. once the connector was off i didn't have any more problems. I did remove the washer fluid cap and lifted the power steering reservoir (you have to pull on the metal bracket/notch a bit for that) for a bit more space.

update 11/20/10: I just replaced driver's side light bulb. Removing the power steering reservoir completely out of the way gave a lot of room (You can pull it out of the metal bracket completely). Instead of 3 screwdrivers, I managed to remove the connector by only using two, one pressing in the tab on the connector and the other one on the side. Thanks to all the suggestions above.

update 3/29/2011: I just replaced the passenger side low beam with relative ease and only needed one screwdriver. If you're like me, the white plug that goes into the bulb prongs will be relatively stubborn. All you need to do is place a flathead screwdriver under the clip, lift it up a little by pulling the screwdriver handle toward you, then pull down on the white clip by tugging in a side to side fashion. Pulling straight down could break it and using a screwdriver to push it down is only asking for trouble. You may hear a little crunching but that's just the dirt that has collected breaking free. After the white clip is free, turn the bulb toward left side of your car (assuming you're looking down at it from the front of your vehicle). It will become loose, pull it out, put the new bulb in and turn it toward the engine till it is securely in place. The white clip will slide back on easily. Enjoy, peace on earth.