I need to replace or unplug my HFL unit since it finally went bad after nine years. Wearing out my battery. I tried to get the trim to pop out but haven't had any luck.

What tools are y'all using and where did you get them?

 

I used a metal feeler gauge blade to pop the sunroof switch.
You can use anything thin and stiff, like a dull X-Acto knife blade. A pocketknife blade can be used, but you have to be careful not to nick the plastic with the knife edge.

You then pull down the surrounding light panel using one finger in the sunroof switch hole, unplug the various connectors and use a socket(8mm, IIRC) to remove the four bolts holding the HFL bezel in place.

 

I bought a plastic putty tool from the dollar store.

 

butter knife would also work

 

Thanks guys. I used the butter knife and went in on the passenger side and pried down. Then did the driver side and was able to pull the whole unit down.

Previously I had tried prying down from the backseat direction in the middle and couldn't get it out.

Thanks again!

 

I use a 9mm

 

Amazon.com: 5 pc. No-Scratch Tools for Removing Fastener & Molding: Automotive

 

i cant find the harborfreight link but google "plastic trim removal set" and its the 5 piece blue set. i think it was about $10 at harbor freight. but heres a link for another site.

PHR-05s - Trim/Moulding Tool Kit - 5 Pieces - ES#517779

 

ohh yeah. the blue plastic shims in this set come in handy too. its a phone/tablet/computer set , but it helps

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/P...it/IF145-072-1

you can find the plastic tools by them self on ebay for a few bucks i bet.

the most important thing, is you want to use plastic tools. less likely to damage your trim.

 

those blue plastic tools for phones always break in my experience.

only thing i use those for is to undo ribbon connectors

 

that's a good thing. you want to use plastic that is softer then what you are prying open. if something is going to break/scratch, you want it to be the tools, not the trim (cheaper to replace cheap tools then acura trim).

though, i too only use them for certain things. i would not rely solely on the small blue plastic tools, i like them as additional tools to the larger blue ones.

i wouldn't use a metal knife on plastic trim. its too strong and you can more easily damage your car then with a plastic tool.