Changing headlamps in 2006 Accord

Thought I'd share with you my thoughts on the above subject. Keep in
mind that your mileage may vary.

The Honda Owner's Manual directs that you access the low beam headlamp
by removing two plastic fasteners and then pulling back the inner fender
well and reaching in - more or less blindly as it happens - to give the
lamp a quarter turn clockwise, etc...

Even if I wasn't 6' something and not a contortionist, this procedure
has to be akin to "fisting" (not that I'd really know<g>) a porcupine
while blindfolded while the neighbor kid is hitting you in the back with
a whiffle bat!

Unless you ARE a contortionist and have the hand size and finger
dexterity of a world-class surgeon, forget it.

Although the instructions apply equally for both the driver and
passenger side low beam lamps, I found it a snap to reach the passenger
side lamp and connector from the engine compartment. The driver side is
a bit more complicated but my way, I think, is superior to Honda's
recommended procedure.

Using standard safety/removal procedures, remove the battery and its
shroud. Reach in and disconnect the lamp, R&R lamp, reconnect the lamp,
replace battery.

Much, much easier in my opinion.

May vary on other years so take a good look.

They also as I recall, fail to mention that you must remove the
electrical connector BEFORE attempting the ¼ turn counter-clockwise to
remove the bulb from the lamp housing. With the connector in place,
that bulb ain't coming out. Forcing it will only damage the unit.

 

$:

I think Honda decided on the contortionist procedure because it keeps
customers from accidentally erasing their radio security code, or resetting
the drive-monitors/idle-learn/grade-logic, etc...

 

A modern civic isnt much better.
I just replace a headlight lamp.
And had to move two fluid reservoirs out of the way
according tot the owners manual.
Thank god its spring now.

 

Tegger, wrote the following at or about 5/5/2010 10:13 AM:

Perhaps and, yes, I did consider both of those side effects. On the
whole, I figured saving my back (and backside) took precedence. The
radio code was no problem for me as I keep that stuff in the owner's
manual AND my PDA, and back to school for the engine can't be all bad<g>

If that WAS Honda's rationale, the least they could have done was given
us poor owners "half a break" and told us to go in from above on the
passenger side.<g>

Any idea how long it takes the system to relearn the routines?

 

A few days of normal driving, with a good mix of city and highway.

There are specific procedures you can follow to speed things up
considerably, but normal driving will eventually do it. The car may feel
"funny" for a while until it completes its routines.

 

You mean all of that stuff they should have a record of?

 

How are owners supposed to keep a record of the monitors, idle learn and
grade logic?

 

Meant the radio...and nav system if they have one.

 

You, me, Tegger and probably 98% of the folks in this group have it
written down in multiple places.

I doubt that had anything to do with Honda's rationale behind the
instructions for changing out the bulbs. I doubt that there was ANY
sane thought given to it at all. Maybe, at most, a case of "let's mess
with the round eyes!" <g>

 

Yeah, I agree. The first time I changed mine, I got my hand in there
and groped around for about 5 seconds before I said the hell with it.

 

Hey, this is an auto NG - Hondas, specifically.