How To Change A Honda Crv Headlight Bulb

Honda CR-V Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a low/high beam, turn signal or side marker light bulb in a 3rd generation 2007-2011 Honda CR-V.

2011 CR-V Headlight
Rear of Low/High Beam
Pull Off Electrical Connector This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011) Honda CR-V in changing a burnt out combination low and high beam dual filament lamp, front turn signal and front side marker light bulbs in the headlight assemblies.

Owners of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Pilot, Insight, CR-Z, Accord, Civic, Fit, Crosstour, Odyssey, Ridgeline, TSX, ILX, TLX, TL, RLX, RDX and MDX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Low/High Beam Headlight # 9003, Front Turn Signal # WY21W (also 7440A or 7440NA) and Front Side Marker # 2825 (also 168 or W5W).

No tools are needed to change any of the bulbs in either the driver or passenger side headlight assemblies.

Power Plug Removed
Pull Off Rubber Dust Cap
Rubber Cover Removed For this guide, I started on the passenger side of the vehicle.

To view the extra steps needed to access the bulbs on the driver side, scroll down to the last few rows of pictures on this page.

The Low/High Beam Bulb is located at the center of the housing.

Pop open the hood and reach in behind the headlight housing.

Gently pull off the black plastic electrical connector from the base of the old bulb.

Then pull out the black rubber dust cap that covers the bulb socket. Set the cover aside in a safe place.

Headlight Bulb Exposed
Push Arm In & Up To Release
Retaining Arm Released The bulb is held in place by a hinged metal retaining arm.

To release the arm, press the loop on the right side in towards the front of the car and lift it up off the hook.

Swing the retaining arm open towards the rear of the vehicle and to the left side.

Pull Out Old # 9003 Bulb
Stanley 9003 12V 60/55W
Headlight Bulb Socket Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.

The OEM low / high beam headlight bulb in this 2011 Honda CR-V was a Stanley # 9003 12V 60/55W.

The 9003 dual filament bulb is also available from other manufacturers such as Sylvania, Philips, GE, Hella, and PIAA.

Swing Open Retaining Arm
Insert New # 9003 Bulb
Close Arm & Secure In Hook Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen headlight bulb with your fingers or anything greasy in the engine bay.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it clean with an alcohol moistened paper towel.

Make sure that the metal retaining arm is all the way open to the left and insert the new # 9003 bulb in to the socket.

Swing the retaining arm closed to the right and push it down in to the metal hook. Make sure that the arm is holding the new bulb securely in place.

Rubber Dust Cover
Push Rubber Cap In Place
Line Up Power Plug Push the rubber dust cap back in to place over the new bulb.
Push On Electrical Connector
Turn Signal Bulb Inner Corner
Turn Signal Bulb Socket Line up the electrical connector and push the plug straight on to the rear of the new bulb.

The Turn Signal light bulb is located at the inner corner of the headlight assembly.

1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
Pull Out Bulb Socket
Pull Out Old WY21W Bulb Reach in behind the headlight housing and rotate the light grey bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

Pull the old turn signal bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new amber colored # WY21W bulb.

You should also be able to use the amber colored # 7440A or 7440NA bulbs.

Push In New Bulb
Turn Signal Bulb Housing
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock Re-insert the turn signal bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.
Side Marker - Outer Corner
Side Marker Bulb Socket
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise The Side Marker bulb is located at the outer corner of the headlight assembly.

Reach in behind the headlight housing and rotate the small light grey bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

Pull Out Bulb Socket
Pull Out Old # W5W Bulb
Push In New W5W Bulb Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 2825 bulb.

You may also be able to use any other miniature wedge base bulbs such as the # 168, 194, W5W or a brighter LED unit.

Side Marker Bulb Housing
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
Side Marker Re-Installed Re-insert the side marker bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.
Driver Side Headlight
Fuse Box Blocking Access
Fuse Box Release Tab To access the Driver Side low/high beam headlight bulb and the front side marker bulb, you'll have to detach the engine bay fuse box.

The fuse box is held in place to the engine bay three plastic clips.

Gently Pull Tab Forward
Pull Out Side Release Tab
Pull Back Rear Release Tab Pull the front clip forward to release it. Pull the side clip out towards the outer edge of the car and then pull the rear clip out towards the back of the car.
Pull Up Fuse Box
Set Aside Fuse Box
Driver's Side Marker Socket Gently pull the fuse box up and set it aside towards the rear of the engine bay.

With the fuse box out of the way, you can easily reach the driver side headlight bulb and side marker bulb socket.

Driver Low/High Beam Bulb
Coolant Overflow Bottle
Tank On Mounting Bracket To access the Driver Side Turn Signal bulb, you'll have to lift out the coolant overflow bottle.
Pull Bottle Up & Off Bracket
Set Coolant Tank Aside
Driver's Front Turn Signal Carefully pull the coolant overflow tank straight up and off its mounting bracket attached to the front of the battery tray.

Now you can easily access the driver side turn signal bulb socket.

Replace Coolant Bottle
Test New Headlight Bulbs
Testing High Beam If you replaced bulbs on the driver's side, test them before replacing the coolant overflow bottle and fuse box.

Test the new bulbs by turning on the headlights, activating the hazard signals and flashing the high beams.

For more, check out my other Honda CR-V Repair & Maintenance Guides.