Car Headlight Bulb replacement

Karaxela on 24/05/2014 - 19:06
Last edited 25/05/2014 - 15:10

Hey all,

I've got a 2005 honda civic and just noticed earlier today that my right headlight is completely dead without any physical damage so im assuming the light bulb is gone.

Question is how much would it cost to replace it at a mechanic on average (new bulb + labour) and how long would it take (is it a 10 minute thing)? Or is it easy to buy the bulb (where and about how much?) to replace by myself (without any mechanical experience )by using some guides online or something?

Obviously cops would pull me over for a fine driving at night right?

First time this has happened to me so any comments/advice appreciated thanks!

Cheers.

EDIT: Replaced it myself was fairly straightforward like the videos/guide/manual says but thanks all for the help!

Automotive

Comments

  • ledski on 24/05/2014 - 19:43
    +1

    Replacing headlights are fairly easy to do (in the cars I've tried anyway). Your car manual should show you the steps to doing it, or have a look on youtube. Even if you don't want to do it yourself, you can just go to a place like Super Cheap Auto and they will do it for a small fee.

    • ubor on 24/05/2014 - 19:58

      Agree. It is easy to do it yourself. It does depend on the brand of cars though.

  • nerdycat on 24/05/2014 - 20:14
    +3

    If you have a local car parts shop (eg something like Auto One) nearby pop in and ask the guys behind the desk..

    If its just a light bulb they will normally give you some help if you tell them you know nothing and they arent too busy they may even do it for you. That's what my partner normally does.

  • eatwell365 on 24/05/2014 - 20:30

    True. Bring car club membership and ask for 10% discount.

    Also, DYI. Watch video.
    eg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0mnc0QC1EE&feature=youtube_g…

    Good Luck.

    • Fake News on 24/05/2014 - 20:57
      +2

      Some cars are awful- my Mazda3 is a massive pain to change the headlight bulb, it's really fiddly but the side light was easy enough.

      I agree with eatwell365- watch some videos and see if you feel comfortable doing it, otherwise asking nicely at a smaller autoshop (not Super Cheap! The high school girls who work there on the weekend would have no idea) and a staff member would probably give you a hand :)

      • Euphemistic on 25/05/2014 - 08:28
        +2

        I think the proper way to change the globes in my forester is to remove the grill and part of the bumper, but if you are lucky/skilful etc you can do it through the back of the light. Our old captiva had to remove 13 screws and bolts using three different tools to change them. Absolutely ridiculous for a 'wear' part. They've got some stupid ideas in new cars.

  • pjetson on 24/05/2014 - 21:17
    +2

    With a Honda Jazz, you need to remove the wheel, unless you've got small hands, and even then you still have to jack the car up and turn the wheel outwards.

    • HAL on 25/05/2014 - 00:35

      Which model Honda Jazz?

      I had an 2009 model… all you had to do was pop the bonnet, took me about 5mins

      • discopotato on 25/05/2014 - 03:27
        +1

        It's the earlier models Jazz's. I have a 2005 model - jacked the car up but didn't need to remove the front wheel. Just turn it to full lock (prior to jacking the car) it gives you more wiggle room. Cbf removing wheels just to replace the bulb.

  • rain on 24/05/2014 - 21:54

    might also need to get some headlight fluid

    • airzone on 25/05/2014 - 08:59
      +1

      I'd recommend the slightly more expensive, but much better quality "Halogen" variety

  • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2014 - 22:09
    +1

    If u r around the point cook VIC area, I am happy to give up my 10 mins to help. But best bet is to go to one of those car part places and ask about purchasing a bulb that would suit your car and get them to replace for small fee. Normally, bulbs come in a twin pack.

  • HAL on 25/05/2014 - 00:41

    Seriously its one of the easiest things you will ever do… (read manual, look up forums and youtube as suggested above)

    Bulbs are dirt cheap on ebay, AutoOne is a rip off, Super Cheap auto is a bit better… I find the local auto spare shops much better priced…

    Like topping up your fluids and changing wheels, it's definitely worth learning and a handy skill…

  • outlander on 25/05/2014 - 00:47

    Pretty easy, but I would have been lost myself a year ago.
    Open up the bonnet, and look behind the headlight for some sort of mechanism. In my commodore its a wheel that you twist.
    Pull out the existing lamp, it will be fixed in place by a clip or something that needs undoing.
    Read the details of the old lamp, should say something like 'H4' on it
    Go to SCA/Repco/Autobarn, get a replacement with the the same size.
    Fit it, and close it all back up.
    Easy as pie.

    So many people drive around with broken globes I can't go a day without spotting at least one car with a single break light, or one headlight. When its the headlight its a little harder to tell, because the parkers can disguise it in well lit streets, but you should get it replaced asap, because in dark areas it will really reduce your ability to see hazards. Never know when you will come across some kid with a deathwish rollerblading around a curved street on the road with black clothing.

  • Peck on 25/05/2014 - 09:15

    My suggestion is to get a mechanic to do it the first time, and watch him do it. From then on, you should be able to do it yourself. In my car I have to remove the battery to do one side, which is annoying.

  • terrys on 25/05/2014 - 09:46
    +1

    Reading about it is a lot harder than doing it :-) Here is a YouTube. An important point to note is that the presenter is wearing latex gloves. This is because touching a halogen bulb with your hands or fingers will leave a little trace of oil on it, and the bulb will fail fairly quickly. FWIW, I once examined a new quality [timken] wheel bearing a week before I replaced it without wearing gloves/barrier cream. When I came to use it, there was a hand-print whorl of rust on the surface :-/

  • Karaxela on 25/05/2014 - 11:16

    thanks for all the comments/advice everyone! had a look at some youtube videos and even though im usually hopeless it does look achievable and i agree its something handy to learn so ill give it a go! it seems to always come in a pack of 2 so should i save the other one might or as well change both sides?

    • Euphemistic on 26/05/2014 - 18:29

      Just save the other one for later. You are an ozbargainer, no point throwing away a perfectly good globe!

    • outlander on 27/05/2014 - 11:50

      replace both, keep the old one as spare

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