Hi,

I've looked around a ton on this website and haven't found a good explanation as to how I can remove the intake Resonator from my 1998 3.0 CL coupe so that I can access the headlights. I am trying to install new headlights on both the Left and Right headlights, but I don't know how to remove the resonator, as the driver's manual states, to access the driver's side headlight bay. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks, Dan

 

take off the bumper.

 

this is how you take the bumper off. once its off it pretty obvious how to remove the headlights.

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...bumper+removal

 

THANKS! So taking the bumper off is not that hard to do? Is this unique to Acura's that you have to take off a bumper to change a headlight? Much appreciated, Dan

 

its not that hard to take off. its only a few screws. you might need someone to help you put it back on to get it lined up properly.

 

thanks a lot herbalist, i appreciate it. btw i got a sweet set of Kumho ECSTA ASX (ASX for All-Season Xtreme) tires for my CL this weekend, after reading some reviews online. these tires stick to the road beautifully - i'd recommend them. thanks, dan

 

 

You have to take the bumper off to get to like half the bolts for the headlights, but once you undo the 4 bolts holding the bumper on, and the 4 screws, it pops right off, with a few good whacks.

 

i dont want to sound dumb here, but are you trying to replace the headlight or a lightbulb? you seemed surprised you'd have to remove a bumper to change the whole headlight assembly. This isn't unique to acuras.

 

Good point mach, that is to remove the whole headlight assembly, the bulbs just pop out.

 

Actually I just wanted to know how to change the bulb, not how to change the whole headlight assembly! Again, the driver's manual for my 98 CL says to "remove the intake resonator" to access the bulb socket, and mentions nothing about removing the bumper. Today I tried to access the bulb, but it was much to tight to get my hand in there. Does anybody know how to change the driver's side bulb? Thanks,

Dan

 

You just gotta wedge your hand in there, just pop the clip and push the wire harness off the wire, then twist the bulb 45 degrees and it comes right out.

 

Yep....... get ready to get a few scraps on your hand.

Something just didn't seem right about his post, thats why i asked what you were trying to do...goodluck.

 

you'll scrape your hand up a bit, I scratched the heck out of mine doin it the first time, but it's really easy, just gotta wedge your hands in there and pop the wire off.

 

After the first time, it comes out smooth.

....well that came out wrong.

 

Also. that would totally suck and be a complete and outright inconvenience to take off the entire bumper to replace a bulb. Blah.

 

Thanks guys, much appreciated. And to think I was going to take off my bumper to change a bulb. Dan

 

Glad you didn't it's a bit of a bitch

 

that would have sucked taking your bumper off for a headlight,but you could've blackhoused.the bumper isn't that bad(i watched supraman take mine off as i sat in his yard smoking and drinking iced tea on a hot summer day)

 

Just for completeness (and maybe to help somebody else with a similar problem), I'll update you guys on my headlight.

I have no idea how to get my hand in there and replace these bulbs. It was just too tight and nothing was budging, and to be honest I know very little about cars. So I just took the car to NTB, dished out 50 bucks, and they replaced the bulbs, and voila my headlights work again. And yes while I probably should be able to replace the bulbs myself, taking out an intake resonator (which is what the instructions state) is too much work for a wuss like me. And I don't think changing a headlight bulb should take this much effort. BUT I still love my Acura.

 

They probably didnt take the resonator out either. The corners are even harder to get to and you can still wedge your hand in there with the stock resonator in place.

 

and