🔧 Accord - Headlight Bulb Replacement

Replacing your headlight bulbs restores safe night visibility and keeps you legal on the road. On your Accord, the bulbs are accessed from behind each headlight housing under the hood—no bumper removal needed in most cases.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the lights off and let bulbs cool 10+ minutes (they get extremely hot).
• ⚠️ Do not touch the glass part of a new halogen bulb with bare fingers (skin oil can shorten bulb life).
• ⚠️ If you accidentally touch the glass, clean it with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free towel.
• ⚠️ Keep keys out of the ignition so the headlights can’t be turned on while your hands are behind the housing.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job, but avoid shorting the bulb connector on metal.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flashlight
• Clean lint-free shop towels
• Rubbing alcohol
• Flat trim tool
• 10mm socket
• 1/4" ratchet

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Low beam headlight bulbs (9006) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• High beam headlight bulbs (9005) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and turn the headlights to OFF.
• Open the hood and use a flashlight so you can clearly see behind the headlight housings.
• Put on nitrile gloves (they help you grip and keep oils off the bulbs).

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify which bulb you’re changing (low vs high beam)

• Low beams are your normal nighttime headlights; high beams are the brighter “brights.”
• Use your owner’s manual bulb chart if you want a double-check: low beam is typically 9006 and high beam is typically 9005 on your Accord.

Step 2: Access the back of the headlight (passenger side is usually easiest)

• Stand at the front of the car and look behind the headlight assembly from inside the engine bay.
• If a plastic air duct/snorkel is in your way, remove its fasteners using a flat trim tool and/or 10mm socket with a 1/4" ratchet, then move it aside.
• Tip: Take a quick phone photo before unplugging anything.

Step 3: Remove the electrical connector from the bulb

• Grip the connector (not the wires) and pull it straight off the bulb.
• If it’s stuck, gently wiggle while pulling. Avoid yanking the harness.

Step 4: Remove the old bulb from the housing

• Twist the bulb base counterclockwise about 1/8 to 1/4 turn to unlock it (this is a “bayonet-style” lock—twist to release).
• Pull the bulb straight out.

Step 5: Install the new bulb (no touching the glass)

• With nitrile gloves on, hold the new bulb by the plastic base only.
• Align the tabs on the bulb with the slots in the headlight housing, insert the bulb fully, then twist clockwise to lock.
• If you accidentally touch the glass, use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free shop towel to clean it before installing.

Step 6: Reconnect the electrical connector

• Push the connector onto the bulb until it seats fully.
• Give it a gentle tug to confirm it’s secure.

Step 7: Repeat on the driver side

• Do the same steps on the other headlight.
• On the driver side, space is tighter near the battery; use your flashlight and take your time.

Step 8: If you’re replacing both high and low beams, repeat for the second bulb position

• Each headlight assembly has separate bulb locations for low beam and high beam.
• Use the same remove/twist/install method for the other bulb location.

---

✅ After Repair

• Turn the ignition to ON and test: low beams, high beams, and the blue high-beam indicator on the dash.
• Walk in front of the car and confirm both sides match in brightness and color.
• If a bulb doesn’t work, turn lights OFF and re-check: connector fully seated and bulb locked fully clockwise.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$250 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$120 (parts only, depending on bulb type/brand)

You Save: $90-$130 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.