Swapping to Smoked Side Markers

[IAHatch]

Hey guys, long time reader first time poster.

I got a Civic Hatch (Polished Metal Metallic) about a month ago and am slowly doing cosmetic and performance upgrades to it. One thing that I wanted to change first were the ugly orange side markers. I bought some smoked ones off of ebay and they look to be a direct OEM replacement, however, I need to change the bulbs from clear to amber. Last night I took the screws out of the fender well, popped out the orange lens, removed bulb socket from the wiring harness, but for the life of me I cant figure out how to pull the glass bulb out. Apparently, it's supposed to pull straight out, but I couldn't get it out and I'm worried if I try any harder I'm going to break it. Is there a trick to getting the socket to release the bulb so I can get the amber ones in?

Thanks in advance. Look forward to posting up pics of my ride soon.
Cheers!

Sponsored

 

[Tbonemth]

I believe the bulb socket spins counter clock wise if I remember correctly. I found it easier to hold the socket and spin the plastic side marker piece.
Both side took about 10 minutes tops to swap out with smoked side markers and led bulbs. Hopefully that helps.

 

[Swordfish]

Hey guys, long time reader first time poster.

I got a Civic Hatch (Polished Metal Metallic) about a month ago and am slowly doing cosmetic and performance upgrades to it. One thing that I wanted to change first were the ugly orange side markers. I bought some smoked ones off of ebay and they look to be a direct OEM replacement, however, I need to change the bulbs from clear to amber. Last night I took the screws out of the fender well, popped out the orange lens, removed bulb socket from the wiring harness, but for the life of me I cant figure out how to pull the glass bulb out. Apparently, it's supposed to pull straight out, but I couldn't get it out and I'm worried if I try any harder I'm going to break it. Is there a trick to getting the socket to release the bulb so I can get the amber ones in?

Thanks in advance. Look forward to posting up pics of my ride soon.
Cheers!

The glass bulbs really needs to be pulled directly out. I've noticed all of Honda's bulbs really hold extremely tight in which I suppose is a good thing, but can be a nightmare to take out. Hold the bulb connector and pull the glass bulb DIRECTLY out, no twisting or anything. Disconnect the socket b/c you will really tug hard. Then once you are done tuck everything back (starting to sound like a porno).


If you think those bulbs are hard, if you decide to change your sun visor bulbs you'll really see how hard those are.

 

[Tbonemth]

Sorry misread the OP, yeah they just pull straight out, unscrew socket from side marker housing, pull bulb straight out, push new bulb in

 

[IAHatch]

Alright, thanks for the input guys. I gripped the bulbs last night and pulled on them to the point where I thought they might break. Guess I'll give it another go with some more grunt.

 

[Space Lord]

Using a towel to get it out might help. I was wearing rubber gloves when I took mine out and it really helped grip the bulb because those suckers are in tight I gave up the first time.

 

[Milo & Miles]

Agreed with Space Lord. You're best to use rubber gloves for added grip - maybe dishwashing gloves or something. I was using latex gloves and even they didn't grip well.

You will feel like you're about to crush the bulb, but just keep your nerve, squeeze it a bit tighter than you'd like and slowly pull it out.

And definitely don't give up. I made the mistake of leaving in the original clear bulbs thinking it might look ok. OH LAWD ALMIGHTY it looked absolutely HIDEOUS through the smoked lens.

 

[IAHatch]

Agreed with Space Lord. You're best to use rubber gloves for added grip - maybe dishwashing gloves or something. I was using latex gloves and even they didn't grip well.

You will feel like you're about to crush the bulb, but just keep your nerve, squeeze it a bit tighter than you'd like and slowly pull it out.

And definitely don't give up. I made the mistake of leaving in the original clear bulbs thinking it might look ok. OH LAWD ALMIGHTY it looked absolutely HIDEOUS through the smoked lens.

I'm glad you said something, I had considered leaving the clear bulb in there and swapping the lenses out. Glad I didn't.

 

[Swordfish]

I was changing my sun visor bulbs and I couldn't get them out by hand so I use pliars to tug them out. they are in there tight.

 

[Milo & Miles]

I'm glad you said something, I had considered leaving the clear bulb in there and swapping the lenses out. Glad I didn't.

Mind, the amber bulbs that come with the lenses aren't the best, but they definitely look better than the stock clear bulbs. One of the problems is that the smoked lens obviously blocks a lot of the light from shining through. There's another thread here with LED clear marker lights so if you're looking for a brighter light, you should check it out.

http://www.civicx.com/threads/diy-clear-side-marker-lamp-housing-swap.4920/page-22

 

[MACKINAW]

Hey guys, long time reader first time poster.

I got a Civic Hatch (Polished Metal Metallic) about a month ago and am slowly doing cosmetic and performance upgrades to it. One thing that I wanted to change first were the ugly orange side markers. I bought some smoked ones off of ebay and they look to be a direct OEM replacement, however, I need to change the bulbs from clear to amber. Last night I took the screws out of the fender well, popped out the orange lens, removed bulb socket from the wiring harness, but for the life of me I cant figure out how to pull the glass bulb out. Apparently, it's supposed to pull straight out, but I couldn't get it out and I'm worried if I try any harder I'm going to break it. Is there a trick to getting the socket to release the bulb so I can get the amber ones in?

Thanks in advance. Look forward to posting up pics of my ride soon.
Cheers!

Love my clear bulbs with Amber led

 

[MACKINAW]

Love my clear bulbs with Amber led

 

[MACKINAW]

Smoke side markers may look better with grey car tho.

 

[MACKINAW]

I meant love my clear side markers

 

[IAHatch]

As appealing as the clear ones are, I just favor the smoked ones ever since I saw the earlier photos of the hatch.

Sponsored