2002 Acura CL Owner's Manual

Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
cartoyourdealertohaveitreplaced.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by
an Acura technician or other
qualif ied mechanic.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Headlight A iming
254
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the radiator reserve tank.
Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Open the hood.
If you need to change a bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
radiator reserve tank.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
1.
2.
Lights
Maint enance255
B BU
UL LBB
T
T A
A B
B

Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the three holding clips
f rom the splash shield. Pull the
splash shield down.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.Put the splash shield in place.
Reinstall the three holding clips.
Lock each clip in place by pushing
on the center.
Insert the socket and turn it one-
quarter turn clockwise to lock it in
place. Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
3.
4. 5.
6.
1.
2.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Road Lamp Bulb
256
H H O
OL LDD I
INNG G C
CLLIIPP S
S

If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.To remove the f ront turn signal/
parking light bulb, push it in
slightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the
side marker bulb, pull it straight
out of its socket.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the two holding clips. Lock
each clip in place by pushing on
the center.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
257
H H
O
OL LDD I
INNG G
C
CL LIIPP S
S

Open the trunk.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
Remove the f astener on the edge
of the trunk opening by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin.
Unscrew the cargo net mounting
button. Pull the lining back. Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight, stop/
tail/side marker light, back-up
light, or turn signal.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
1.
3. 2.4.
5.
6.
7.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance258
F FA
A S
STTE
EN
NE ER
R C
CA
A R
RGGO O N
NEET
T
M
M O
OUUNNTTI
INNG G
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N

Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.Reinstall the socket. Turn it
clockwise until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the f astener in the hole on the
side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is f lush with the head).
Screw the cargo net mounting
button back into the hole.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
1.
2.
8.
9.
3.
4.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance259

The courtesy lights in the doors and
roof come apart the same way. They
do not use the same type of bulb.Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out. Push the new bulb
into the socket.
Put the lens back in place and
tighten the two screws securely.
Use a small Phillips-head
screwdriver to remove the two
screws. Remove the lens f rom the
license plate assembly.
1. 2.
3.
1.
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
Courtesy Lights
Lights
Maint enance260
C CE
EI
ILLI INNG G L
LIIGGH HT
T
S
SC CRREEW
WS S

Door light:
Pry on the top middle of the lens.
Ceiling light:
Pry on the f ront edge of the lens
near both sides.
Spotlights:
Pry on the front edge in front of
both spotlights.Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
2.
3.
Maint enance
Lights
261
V V
A
AN
NI ITT Y
Y M
M I
IRRR ROOR R L
LIIGGH HT
T
S
SP PO
OT TL
LIIGGH HT
TS
S D
DO
OO ORR L
LIIGGH HT
T