09 TSX Fog Light Replacement
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
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09 TSX Fog Light Replacement
First of all, I HATE HONDA & ACURA FOG LIGHTS! It makes no sense to me to make the fog light (F/L) lenses out of glass, when (all?) the other light housings on the vehicle have polycarbonate lenses. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would think the fog lights (at their position) are even more vulnerable to damage from road debris. Stupid.
Unfortunately, I didn't have new F/L assemblies in my possession when I pulled the bumper and replaced all the bulbs in the headlight housings on both sides a few weeks back...that would've been the best time to replace the F/Ls. I didn't purchase new F/L assemblies for my TSX until I purchased a new set for my 19 Ridgeline (RL). The F/L install on the RL went pretty easy using a method which doesn't require pulling the bumper...so, I searched for a method to do same with the 09 TSX, keeping in mind the possibility of ultimately needing to pull the bumper again.
So, in my search, I found this bulb-replacement video...but it demonstrates easy access to the F/L housings for removal. Pop 3 retainers on each side and pull back that piece of under cladding for access...retain it open with a short bungee cord.
Getting into it, I was able to access the F/L housing screws (3 per side) and remove the housings. Also of note, it's really tight quarters, so being able to use even the shortest of short phillips screwdrivers is doubtful. Using a "finger driver" or "finger ratchet" is the way to go, with a phillips driver set of different lengths....for both removal and installation. Most of this work is blind, but completely doable...so know that going in.
These are the F/L housings I picked up from Amazon for less that $30 for the pair.
I took a chance on this inexpensive set because they had good reviews -and- they are constructed with poly (vs glass) lens. To my pleasant surprise, they fit into place perfectly in both the factory holes and on the factory locating tabs.
Are these new F/L housing assemblies perfect? Not quite, but plenty good enough for my 16yr old TSX with 230k+ miles.
Negatives for this set:
-the housing trim pieces fit in place, but are undersize to the bumper and leave a gap(s). I wound up keeping the originals.
-the bulbs that come with the package are garbage...the 1st one blew upon testing. (glad I didn't reassemble before testing). Buy your own new H11 bulbs.
-bulb fit to the housing was EXTREMELY TIGHT. I suggest you install the bulbs (into the housing) prior to mounting the housings, cause you'll need A LOT of leverage to rotate a quality bulb into their lock position...and you just don't have the room to get a good grip on the bulb base if you install these without removing the bumper.
Hope this helps anyone driving around with broken F/Ls and want to replace without an OEM spend.
Unfortunately, I didn't have new F/L assemblies in my possession when I pulled the bumper and replaced all the bulbs in the headlight housings on both sides a few weeks back...that would've been the best time to replace the F/Ls. I didn't purchase new F/L assemblies for my TSX until I purchased a new set for my 19 Ridgeline (RL). The F/L install on the RL went pretty easy using a method which doesn't require pulling the bumper...so, I searched for a method to do same with the 09 TSX, keeping in mind the possibility of ultimately needing to pull the bumper again.
So, in my search, I found this bulb-replacement video...but it demonstrates easy access to the F/L housings for removal. Pop 3 retainers on each side and pull back that piece of under cladding for access...retain it open with a short bungee cord.
Getting into it, I was able to access the F/L housing screws (3 per side) and remove the housings. Also of note, it's really tight quarters, so being able to use even the shortest of short phillips screwdrivers is doubtful. Using a "finger driver" or "finger ratchet" is the way to go, with a phillips driver set of different lengths....for both removal and installation. Most of this work is blind, but completely doable...so know that going in.
These are the F/L housings I picked up from Amazon for less that $30 for the pair.
I took a chance on this inexpensive set because they had good reviews -and- they are constructed with poly (vs glass) lens. To my pleasant surprise, they fit into place perfectly in both the factory holes and on the factory locating tabs.
Are these new F/L housing assemblies perfect? Not quite, but plenty good enough for my 16yr old TSX with 230k+ miles.
Negatives for this set:
-the housing trim pieces fit in place, but are undersize to the bumper and leave a gap(s). I wound up keeping the originals.
-the bulbs that come with the package are garbage...the 1st one blew upon testing. (glad I didn't reassemble before testing). Buy your own new H11 bulbs.
-bulb fit to the housing was EXTREMELY TIGHT. I suggest you install the bulbs (into the housing) prior to mounting the housings, cause you'll need A LOT of leverage to rotate a quality bulb into their lock position...and you just don't have the room to get a good grip on the bulb base if you install these without removing the bumper.
Hope this helps anyone driving around with broken F/Ls and want to replace without an OEM spend.
Last edited by jjrphs; Oct 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 479
Likes: 142
UPDATE - I'm sorry to say that I have to rescind my recommendation of the fog lights I purchased above, based on not getting through a fortnight after installation before one was completely busted thru and the other cracked. As it turns out, the lenses were glass...and very thin glass at that.
I've ordered a replacement set from RockAuto made by TYC. I'm not sure if TYC is OEM...but they're what came out of the car when I replaced with the crap set above. I've also ordered some Lamin-x protective covers. Hopefully this setup will last through my ownership of this car.
I've ordered a replacement set from RockAuto made by TYC. I'm not sure if TYC is OEM...but they're what came out of the car when I replaced with the crap set above. I've also ordered some Lamin-x protective covers. Hopefully this setup will last through my ownership of this car.
Acura Fanboy
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 150
Likes: 21
From: Orlando, FL
I hope you had better success with the second set. I replaced the fog lights on my daughter's '09 TSX about a year and a half ago. I paid a little bit more after reading all the bad reviews regarding bulb installation fitment with many of the aftermarket sets. I went with this set which didn't come with the surrounds.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226928439613
Fitment was great. So far, they have held up well. There aren't many gravel roads where we live, so the chance of a rock hitting the fog lights is fairly low.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226928439613
Fitment was great. So far, they have held up well. There aren't many gravel roads where we live, so the chance of a rock hitting the fog lights is fairly low.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 479
Likes: 142
So far, so good. The TYC assemblies are magnitudes better in quality than the 1st set and they're CAPA certified, for what that's worth. RockAuto really wasn't on my radar for fog-light assemblies until that 1st set failed. In hind sight, I should've gone there first. A bonus for the TYCs is they were <$18 per side at RA.
One of the reasons I went with that Amazon set is because they were listed as having poly-carbonate lenses...which I assumed would be more crack / shatterproof -and- they had a decent rating. Unfortunately they were thin glass and didn't last 2 weeks.
One of the reasons I went with that Amazon set is because they were listed as having poly-carbonate lenses...which I assumed would be more crack / shatterproof -and- they had a decent rating. Unfortunately they were thin glass and didn't last 2 weeks.
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