How to replace the outer tail light assembly 2006-2011 Honda Civic
To replace the outer tail light assembly on your Civic it couldnt’ be easier. You will be asked to set up, remove the rear bumper cover, remove the tail light as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 9 chapters in 30 minutes. Bring your Torx T30 socket and your 8 mm socket and let’s get started!
Duration
30 minutes
Number of steps
9
Difficulty out of 5
2
Average savings
$80
Parts You Will Need
Tools You Will Need
Step-by-Step Installation
Chapter 1:
Set up
Step 1/1
Turn off the ignition, set the parking brake. Pull on the hood release lever and open the hood.
Chapter 2:
Disconnect the battery
Step 1/1
For safety reasons, we advise you to disconnect the battery.
Chapter 3:
Disconnect the tail light
Step 1/5
Pull on the trunk release handle, and open the trunk.
Chapter 3:
Step 2/5
Using a fork, remove the 3 rivets holding the trunk carpet. Then shift the trunk carpet.
Chapter 3:
Step 3/5
To remove the 4 bulb sockets from the taillight housing, turn them counterclockwise and pull them out.
Chapter 3:
Step 4/5
Use a car trim removal tool to remove the 2 clips holding the wiring harness in place.
Chapter 3:
Step 5/5
Using a ratchet and an 8 mm socket, unscrew the 4 taillight retaining nuts.
Chapter 4:
Remove the rear bumper cover
Step 1/5
In the wheel arches, using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the 2 screws holding the rear bumper cover to the rear fender and body.
Chapter 4:
Step 2/5
Using a multi-bit screwdriver and a T30 or 5 mm Allen socket, unscrew the bumper cover retaining bolt. Do the same on the other side.
Chapter 4:
Step 3/5
Position yourself under the bumper cover.
Chapter 4:
Step 4/5
Using a fork, remove the bumper cover rivet on the side where you want to replace the tail light.
Chapter 4:
Step 5/5
You can now unclip the rear bumper cover from the bumper retainers.
Chapter 5:
Remove the tail light housing
Step 1/4
The components to be removed are very often seized up, so don’t hesitate to brush and to use penetrating oil to make removal easier.
Chapter 5:
Step 2/4
Using a multi-bit screwdriver and a 10 mm socket, unscrew the two nuts holding the metal bracket to the body.
Chapter 5:
Step 3/4
This will release the tail light lugs from the metal bracket.
Chapter 5:
Step 4/4
You can now remove the light.
Chapter 6:
Put the tail light housing back
Step 1/5
Take the new tail light.
Chapter 6:
Step 2/5
Put the light back in.
Chapter 6:
Step 3/5
Put the metal bracket back in place. Screw the two nuts back in.
Chapter 6:
Step 4/5
Screw the 4 taillight retaining nuts back on, by hand at first.
Chapter 6:
Step 5/5
Finish off tightening with a ratchet.
Chapter 7:
Reconnect the tail light back
Step 1/3
Put the sockets into the taillight housing and turn them clockwise to lock them in place.
Chapter 7:
Step 2/3
Reclip the electrical harness.
Chapter 7:
Step 3/3
Put the trunk carpet back in place. Then put the 3 rivets back in place.
Chapter 8:
Put the rear bumper cover back
Step 1/4
Put the rear bumper cover back in place. Then reattach it to the bumper cover retainer.
Chapter 8:
Step 2/4
Screw the retaining bolt back on at the trunk.
Chapter 8:
Step 3/4
Screw the 2 rear bumper cover retaining screws back onto the body and fender.
Chapter 8:
Step 4/4
Under the vehicle, put the rivet back in place.
Chapter 9:
Reconnect the battery
Step 1/2
Reconnect the battery.
Chapter 9:
Step 2/2
Operation complete.
