[dB Cooper]

So the driver side headlight on my 2000 Honda decides to take a sh** the day before I plan to take it to the inspection station… Just discovered it by reflection when I pulled up to a glass storefront. But I noticed that on hi beam, both segments of the light come on… I know "jack" about auto electrics… Can a bulb do this? Hope it's just the sealed beam unit, cheaper fix than a switch… Anybody know anything about this stuff?

[jupiterboy]

Each bulb has two filaments, one high one low. Generally, you get a bulb and replace the one in the current housing. These have a twist/lock base. These bulbs you do no want to touch, or get grease on, so depending on how oddly the light is placed, getting the old bulb out and the new one in can take some slow and patient work. If you get oil from your  skin or grease on the bulb surface, it will make a hot spot and burn out quickly. Good luck.

[Doublej]

In the oldest days it was easy. Buy new bulb, unplug the connector from the old bulb, twist to unlock bulb, remove, insert, twist, connect, done.

Alas things have progressed. So now when I want to attempt something I search youtube for a how to. I recently replaced a headlight bulb on an old CRV and without youtube it would have been a big fail. There were a few things I didn't know. There was a rubber booty around the bulb, removing the bulb was simple but not intuitive to me and one is supposed to put grease around the bulb housing to create a watertight seal.

I used a clean rag to handle the bulb to ensure no oil from my skin.

I thought about upgrading to a brighter bulb but they have a shorter life so I stuck with the basic replacement bulb.

[mcgsxr]

My 1969 T Bird is pretty easy to reach the bulbs!

My 2009 Fusion, or my 2007 Hyundai van it typically requires removal of the headlight to reach the bulb...

Wearing a rubber glove on the "bulb hand" makes it easy to get it in there, once you can finally reach it.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I remember some of those cars had four fuses for the headlights. One for each low beam circuit, and for each high beam. So yea, it's possible to have the symptom you described.
It's been a long time since I worked at Honda, and I've got a horrible memory on top of it (at least that's what my wife claims).

Bob

[HsvHeelFan]

Did you try taking it by the dealer? One of my kids had a light burn out and he went by the dealer and they sold the bulb at a price that was competitive with Autozone/AdvanceAuto/OReillyAuto and installed it for another 10 bucks.

Here's how the bulb replacement is done:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5u60zMxY-0

I had to take the battery out to change the drivers side headlight on a 2003 Accord Coupe.  It took me about an hour.  Passenger side was easy.

HsvHeelFan

[martyo]

Did you try taking it by the dealer? One of my kids had a light burn out and he went by the dealer and they sold the bulb at a price that was competitive with Autozone/AdvanceAuto/OReillyAuto and installed it for another 10 bucks.

HsvHeelFan

Pretty cool dealer, not typical. OTOH, the Autozone by us changed one for me. I just asked if it was a big deal to change it and the guy offered to do it for me. I just slipped him a 5 when he was finished.

[srb]

I replaced the passenger side low beam on a 2000 Accord Sedan which had easy access, but the driver side will require the radiator overflow container and/or some kind of shroud to be removed.  I bought a pair of #9006 low beam bulbs (high beams are #9005), but haven't bothered to change the driver side bulb yet.

It is recommended, and makes sense, to change them both, but I honestly couldn't tell any difference in intensity between very old and new.

I almost bought a much more expensive Sylvania Ultra which had 30% or 40% higher light output for the same wattage, but then realized they were only rated at ~200 hours versus 800 - 1000 hours for standard bulbs, so beware of severely reduced lifespan for higher output halogen bulbs.

Steve

[Bemopti123]

I replaced the passenger side low beam on a 2000 Accord Sedan which had easy access, but the driver side will require the radiator overflow container and/or some kind of shroud to be removed.  I bought a pair of #9006 low beam bulbs (high beams are #9005), but haven't bothered to change the driver side bulb yet.

It is recommended, and makes sense, to change them both, but I honestly couldn't tell any difference in intensity between very old and new.

I almost bought a much more expensive Sylvania Ultra which had 30% or 40% higher light output for the same wattage, but then realized they were only rated at ~200 hours versus 800 - 1000 hours for standard bulbs, so beware of severely reduced lifespan for higher output halogen bulbs.

Steve

I have seen too many cars with laser beam like lights....which are these high output lights, a shorter lifespan, for me was a no no.  I did swap the bulbs in my wife's 2001 Accord.  Not too bad but a dirty job indeed.  I just do not understand why car makers make it such a hassle to just change some lightbulbs.  I guess they call this progress. 

[srb]

On the same 2000 Accord (1998-2002) you would think replacing the cabin air filter would be a pretty straight forward job.  You would be wrong.  Three underdash and console panels had to be removed so that the glove box and then a bolt-on structural cross member could be removed to gain access to the filter, a scheduled replacement part.

I guess that's better than an older Chevrolet that I remember had to have a motor mount unbolted and the engine slightly raised to gain access to #8 spark plug, or a Saab 99 that I had that needed to have the engine pulled to replace a worn $15 transmission mount bushing.

Steve

[dB Cooper]

I remember some of those cars had four fuses for the headlights. One for each low beam circuit, and for each high beam. So yea, it's possible to have the symptom you described.
It's been a long time since I worked at Honda, and I've got a horrible memory on top of it (at least that's what my wife claims).

Bob

That's good to know. I thought I was looking at a $$$ sealed beam assy. Thanks.