Changing out low beam bulbs
#1
2006 RL driver's side HID low beam bulb replacement
My driver's side low beam bulb went out. Took it to my body shop and was told that to get to the light housing, the front bumper would have to be dropped, about two hours of labor. Called a local Dallas area Acura dealer and the service tech confirmed this information. On the low end, if only the bulb has to be replaced, the dealer's estimated cost is $350. If the ballast and igniter are bad, the cost is $1400. I purchased two HID bulbs for $20 (I think the dealer said they were $75 each) before I learned of all the complications. Can anyone with similar experience recommend alternatives?
This is my fourth Acura (Legend, RSX, TSX which we also still own) and likely my last. Bought the 1-owner, no wrecks certified 2006 RL in Jan. 2010 with under 30k miles. It now has 102k miles. Have had to replace the air conditioner, struts, the no-flat tires (on my third set of Michelins now), in addition to the usual maintenance such as replacing the timing belt. Like the performance of the car; very disappointed with the durability and maintenance requirements. Also, gas mileage is below expectations.
This is my fourth Acura (Legend, RSX, TSX which we also still own) and likely my last. Bought the 1-owner, no wrecks certified 2006 RL in Jan. 2010 with under 30k miles. It now has 102k miles. Have had to replace the air conditioner, struts, the no-flat tires (on my third set of Michelins now), in addition to the usual maintenance such as replacing the timing belt. Like the performance of the car; very disappointed with the durability and maintenance requirements. Also, gas mileage is below expectations.
#2
Burning Brakes
You don't need to remove the bumper to replace the low beams, that's garbage they are telling you. I've only done passenger side, but driver side you can get to by removing battery. Not sure if you can get to it through wheel well as in passenger side, but bumper removal, is not needed. Others will chime in or search the board, plenty of info. Only need to remove bumper to replace the entire housing, not a bulb.
#3
Senior Moderator
It's not the easiest job through the engine bay, but it can be done. The shops are just following the service manual which explains the easiest way for a shop to do it.
#4
Changing out low beam bulbs
I know everyone says there's 2 ways of changing the bulb on the driver side. Either through the wheel well or removing the headlight. I saw a video where the guy moved the battery out of the way and was able to access it from there. Anyone else tried this?
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justnspace (01-28-2016)
#6
Senior Moderator
There's something sticking out of the bottom drawer?
Oh, and many have changed the bulbs through the engine bay. Just a tight fit. Not impossible.
Oh, and many have changed the bulbs through the engine bay. Just a tight fit. Not impossible.
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#8
Senior Moderator
Glass cracked
#9
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (18)
Yeah, that does look a little fishy to me. If you haven't replaced it yet, check out Lucenta or philips/osram we sell:
Retrofit Lighting - Bulbs - EndLess RPM
Retrofit Lighting - Bulbs - EndLess RPM
#14
I bought my 06 RL with 78k miles in 2013, now has 136k and its becoming somewhat of a money pit now. Ive had to replace the alternator (500), ac computer assembly(800) and now the HID's for one side....its becoming quite discouraging to keep pouring money into this. but i keep it in great condition hopefully itll last me a while.
But i digress, so the best option would be to purhcase the bulbs off amazon
and either do the labor yourself or go to a shop? I will probably have someone do the labor as i know next to nothing about cars
But i digress, so the best option would be to purhcase the bulbs off amazon
and either do the labor yourself or go to a shop? I will probably have someone do the labor as i know next to nothing about cars
Last edited by supreme710; 02-11-2016 at 03:48 PM.
#16
Senior Moderator
change both at the same time. You can keep the 'working' one as a spare for later..
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supreme710 (02-11-2016)
#17
thank you good sirs! this place is awesome I do have one last question, Ive been searching the forums and most people are linking this bulb from amazon,
theres a newer one (same exact model) for about 23 bucks cheaper, will it be ok to go with this one instead?
Or were the links for the older model intentional
theres a newer one (same exact model) for about 23 bucks cheaper, will it be ok to go with this one instead?
Or were the links for the older model intentional
Last edited by supreme710; 02-11-2016 at 05:39 PM.
#18
I just did mine couple weeks ago. Trust me, it's easier to remove the bumper. It takes no time at all to lower the bumper, I was in your same thought process, was dreading having to do the bulbs. I had the bumper lowered in 5min, used a flathead to pop off the tabs, and a 10mm socket with an extension to get everything off. The bumper is held on by only a few bolts, then there are tabs under the headlight that are very easy to pop off by using a small flathead.. I bought these,
2x NEW! GENUINE OEM! Xenon D2S HID LIGHT BULBS Acura TL TSX RDX MDX RL ZDX ILX Honda S2000 33116-SL0-003 (33116SL0003) - Factory Xenon
Am VERY happy with them. They are real Osram bulbs. Whoever did the bulbs in my car before used fake Osrams.
2x NEW! GENUINE OEM! Xenon D2S HID LIGHT BULBS Acura TL TSX RDX MDX RL ZDX ILX Honda S2000 33116-SL0-003 (33116SL0003) - Factory Xenon
Am VERY happy with them. They are real Osram bulbs. Whoever did the bulbs in my car before used fake Osrams.
#19
Senior Moderator
Check out theretrofitsource.com for D2S bulbs too. Their in house brand Morimoto can be had for very cheap ($50) and are of great quality. Or you can get some Phillips or OSRAM CBI's which are touted as the king of HID's.
#20
What's better the phillips or the morimotos if price isn't an issue lol at spending that much for osram cbi's idk if the ones on factory xenon are real. Don't wanna take a chance but if they are I would do it
Last edited by supreme710; 02-11-2016 at 07:52 PM.
#23
Got quoted 180 for both sides labor and said he would charge me 95 bucks per own bulb lol. So definitely buying them and just using him for labor. He also said he has to take off the bumper. Which I know isn't true but he said any clips broken he will replace
#24
Senior Moderator
It's very doable yourself my man, don't be scared! Save yourself the money and just spring for the CBI's!!!
#25
#26
thank you good sirs! this place is awesome I do have one last question, Ive been searching the forums and most people are linking this bulb from amazon,
Amazon.com: Philips D2S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb (Pack of 1): Automotive
theres a newer one (same exact model) for about 23 bucks cheaper, will it be ok to go with this one instead?
Amazon.com: Philips 85122C1 D2S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack: Automotive
Or were the links for the older model intentional
Amazon.com: Philips D2S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb (Pack of 1): Automotive
theres a newer one (same exact model) for about 23 bucks cheaper, will it be ok to go with this one instead?
Amazon.com: Philips 85122C1 D2S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack: Automotive
Or were the links for the older model intentional
so why are the newer ones cheaper? should i just go with the older $63.51 ones or the newer at $42.88
#27
Update:
I shopped around found this place in Dallas called "North Dallas Imports" they will do the labor $25 each side!!! gonna save $130! wohoo. philips d2s are en route should be here tomorrow
I shopped around found this place in Dallas called "North Dallas Imports" they will do the labor $25 each side!!! gonna save $130! wohoo. philips d2s are en route should be here tomorrow
#29
Senior Moderator
at 5 min to drop the bumper. I lol'ed a couple of years ago when someone said 15 min. Let's be real. First time to do it is going to take 30-60 min to get to the bulbs through the bumper.
#30
#31
Took me 5min to drop the front bumper for the first time... Then another 10min to pull the headlights out.
#32
Burning Brakes
These are the bulbs I bought, very happy with them, brighter than stock. I only replaced passenger side so far. I can't tell I have two different bulbs in there, other than its a little brighter on one side, likely oncoming traffic can. $50 for two bulbs is a great deal.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...1#.VsHMYPA8KK0
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...1#.VsHMYPA8KK0
#33
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by rlerman
These are the bulbs I bought, very happy with them, brighter than stock. I only replaced passenger side so far. I can't tell I have two different bulbs in there, other than its a little brighter on one side, likely oncoming traffic can. $50 for two bulbs is a great deal.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...1#.VsHMYPA8KK0
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...1#.VsHMYPA8KK0
#34
#35
Senior Moderator
#36
Senior Moderator
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Gimpies-Daddy (02-20-2016)
#37
Burning Brakes
#38
Senior Moderator
but to each their own
#39
Putting it back on took maybe the same amount of time. It's easier to put it back on, you don't have to worry about popping the bumper off the tabs since they clip back in. Then just install the few screws and it's back on.