Headlight R&R: '95 Civic EX Sedan

So, the Chilton manual I've eagerly awaited for two weeks finally
came in the mail, and guess what? It says *absolutely nothing* about
replacing the headlight assembly - it just shows how to replace either a
sealed beam unit or halogen bulb. So what I *really* need (hopefully
today) is for someone to either list a step-by-step procedure, or link
me to one online. I'd really appreciate it, as I work Fri-Sun nights,
and was hoping to use the car this weekend...

I never thought I'd write this, but I wish I'd gotten the Haynes
manual, instead.

 

Both Chilton and Haynes are brutal. Bite the bullet and get the Helm
manual.

I think the URL is http://www.helminc.com

 

Too late for that for this job. Are there no procedures online, or
someone who can dash one off for me? I know I'm unknown in this group,
but I've helped a lot of people with Volvo problems over the years...

 

You have to remove the front bumper.
<http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/manual_scans/civic/92-95_civic_front_bumper_removal.pdf>

There are bolts at the bottom of the headlamp that hold it
to the rad support. You cannot get at those until the bumper is off.

Haynes and Chilton are both shit. Get a Helm manual. It's the real thing.

 

Thanks for the diagram. I'm not clear on the spoiler: does the EX
have it, and what are the fasteners holding it on? And, most
importantly, can I do this without removing all the bumper components
completely? Can I get to the headlight bolts by lowering the left and
center of the bumper? I'm not sure I'm up to completely removing and
replacing a bumper I've never worked on. That "about $50" the dealer
quoted is becoming more appealing...

 

A free online factory service manual for your Civic is
linked at http://www.honda.co.uk/car/owner/workshop.html. Go
to the electrical section, then exterior lights, etc. I see
a one page set of instsructions for your job. It still may
not be sufficient, but take a look.

Chilton's is superior to Haynes and often just duplicates
the factory service manual, in my experience.

 

So, the Chilton manual I've eagerly awaited for two weeks finally

I did the following steps a couple of weeks ago to replace the front
passenger side turn signal bulb in my daughter's 97 Civic EX,
hopefully the 95 civic is not much different:
1. raise the hood and secure it
2. stare at the headlight assembly looking at the turn signal bulb with
it's tail extending into the area between the outside fender and
inside fender whilest saying, "I cant believe it is this tough"
3. remove the top three screws holding the headlight assembly in
place, assembly will not move yet
4. discover another screw on the right side of assembly, remove it
by sticking arm up air slot in front fender, assembly now moves
a little bit
5. turn front tires to the left
6. remove all screws and pushdowns on front bumper cover left side
7. discover and remove another screw holding headlight assembly
above tire, assembly will now pull out with great difficulty
8. remove bulb from assembly and replace with new bulb
9. reverse steps for reassembly

This took 3 hours to figure out plus the trip to O'Reilly for the bulb.

Lynn

 

Exactly what I need - thanks! As for the Chilton manual, this one
covers Civic, 1984-1995, and is of little use. As I said, there is
nothing at all on replacing the headlight unit. The online manual
doesn't show disassembly of the bumper like Tegger's did - just nine
screws and bolts, and it supposedly comes off in one piece. I hope....

 

Heh. I think maybe the bumper should come off. Plus they changed the
body after '95... At least you know how to do it more quickly next time.

 

Thanks for the help, folks, especially Elle. The bumper R&R wasn't
especially hard, in part because it had been damaged previously (I knew
this when I bought it) and the lower bolts now don't have to be removed
- they now only hold on two rectangles of plastic. ;-) One of the side
clips was tricky, because the previous owner had replaced it with an,
er, aftermarket clip. And to aim that light it *really* helps to have a
Snake Drive or similar flexible drive, as they have designed it so you
can see the aiming screw but can't get most kinds of drives onto it.
Happily I have a snake drive. For those wondering if the light can be
replaced without removing the whole bumper, I'd say "probably, but not
easily, and only with someone helping you."

Now, having saved about $130 (funny how the labor estimate shoots up
when you are providing the part!), maybe I can afford to have a Major
Service by the dealer, sans timing belt and water pump, which will have
to wait another year or 18 months. If that doesn't improve the
performance, and I still fail to sell my '86 Si, I may sell the EX in
the Fall and put the Si back on the road...