Just had to change the driver's side light on my 2001 Honda Civic
today. This post helped so much.

Thanks,
mary

wrote:
> I wanted to help those who are like me. People who have: 1) lost their
> manual and don't want to take out a small loan to buy a replacement 2)
> have burned out light bulbs 3) are cheap and don't want to pay someone
> to do it 4) have looked online and haven't been able to find any
> anwers.
>
> This may apply to Honda Civic's for 2001 through 2004, but I'm not
> sure. I can only speak for my 2001 Civic LX. I may add pictures later
> (if people ask or need).
>
> Btw - this is not an official way to do things. The manual may say
> something different, and I may be omitting some steps that may be
> important, but if you just want to get the job done this instructional
> may provide at least some confidence.
>
> I have found the driver's side headlamp to be the easiest one to
> replace. There's a small bottle that stands in the way. It may be
> steering fluid or transmission fluid of some sort. Just lift it up and
> out of the way and turn it so you can access the small area behind the
> headlamp.
>
> You'll see a black round rubbery flange type of covering (approx 4-5"
> wide) with a black squarish rectangular plastic box (a little over an
> inch wide) with wires attached to it in the center. Make sure your
> headlights are turned off. Pull the black rectangular plastic box off
> first. This is the plug to the headlamp.
>
> Next pull off the black rubber thing. This is the cover and insulation
> to the headlamp. Next is the tricky part. There's a round metal wire
> that goes around the lamp. It's job is to secure the headlamp in place
> and make sure it doesn't rattle around when driving. It kind of hangs
> on one or two tiny little clips. Pull the round wire upwards and lift
> it over the clip(s). Then you can pull the wire away and down from the
> headlamp.
>
> Btw - I usually use the Sylvania cool blue type of headlamp. It can be
> found at Kragen's for around $13 per bulb part number 9003. I don't
> like the totally blue ones because my eyes don't seem to respond well
> to the blue light.
>
> Once the wire is out of the way the bulb is easy to remove. Put the
> new bulb in, but try not to touch it with your fingertips as I've been
> told oils from your fingers can drastically shorten the bulb's life.
> Check the appearance of the bulb as it rests inside the housing. It
> should appear like the bulb on the opposite side. There are three tabs
> on the bulb. One tab should be facing straight up and the other two
> tabs should be facing downwards at near 45 degree angles.
>
> The bulbs I just replaced in my car (both) were only used for about 3
> months so apparently I got really crappy life out of both (neither
> were replaced by me).
>
> After putting the new bulb in and making sure it is oriented
> correctly, pull the wire up and around the bulb. You will notice that
> the wire has the ability to completely retract below the headlamp
> housing so it may have hidden itself down below while you were futzing
> around with the headlamp. Just pull it back out so you can pull it
> over the headlamp and onto the clips again.
>
> Put the black rubber thing over the assembly and secure it. Then take
> the three pronged plug (black rectangular box with the wires attached)
> and secure it to the three prongs sticking out of the black rubber. If
> you don't see three metal prongs sticking out, then you have to
> reposition the black rubber thing so that the plugs of the headlamp
> are coming through the center hole of the black rubber.
>
> Turn your headlights on to see if it works. Now make sure you take the
> little bottle of steering fluid/transmission fluid (whatever) and put
> it back in place so when you close the hood it won't get in the way.
>
> Congratulations: You're finished! Do the same with the other side. The
> other side may be easier to work with depending on each person. As far
> as I know there's nothing to remove to get access to the rear side.
> Just get in there and do your thing.