Anyone have any good suggestions for removing a headlight bulb (9003) that's glued into the headlight housing?

It looks like the previous owner lost or broke the clip that holds the bulb in, and their solution was to glue the base of the headlight bulb to the headlight housing.

I don't know what kind of glue it is... I can tell it's clear and shiny though. The bulb doesn't even wiggle.

The bulb is burnt btw. That is why it needs to be removed. Wiring and the housing itself is fine.


Modified by NOFX at 4:06 PM 10/11/2008

 

nail polish remover may work

 

Maybe turn the headlights on for a period of time to soften the glue and it may be easier to remove?

 

I would try breaking the bulb and getting a potato that is cut in half then sticking the broken bulb into the potato and twisting (lefty loosey). That is what I do with broken bulbs in my home. I would assume it would work with this. Hope that helps.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by herro.denmark &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would try breaking the bulb and getting a potato that is cut in half then sticking the broken bulb into the potato and twisting (lefty loosey). That is what I do with broken bulbs in my home. I would assume it would work with this. Hope that helps. </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol. What?

 

I assume he has had the headlights on for a long period of time in the past and that did not loosen up the glue. What is turning on the lights again going to do?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by herro.denmark &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I assume he has had the headlights on for a long period of time in the past and that did not loosen up the glue. What is turning on the lights again going to do? </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's just an idea. No need to be rude about it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-EJ1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

It's just an idea. No need to be rude about it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

QQ some more. QQ some more.

 

if you leave the lights on for a while see if it becomes brittle.

second choice, go to junkyard, cut out the harness and solder/splice it on to replace.

gonna have to replace it anyway

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-EJ1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe turn the headlights on for a period of time to soften the glue and it may be easier to remove?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Assuming her headlight hasn't burned out.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by instrument &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">second choice, go to junkyard, cut out the harness and solder/splice it on to replace.

gonna have to replace it anyway</TD></TR></TABLE>

What I thought of right away.

 

Sounds like they used silicone sealant...

I'd just grab it with lineman's pliers, vise-grips, or whatever, and rip it out of there in pieces!

 

Id use pliers or vice grips also.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -Gambit- &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nail polish remover may work</TD></TR></TABLE>
He actually bought some with the idea to try to use it to get it out.

We've been trying to find a replacement assembly, but no luck so far.

It's actually a '97 TL btw, but as far as the way the bulb mounts, it's all the same as a 6th gen Civic.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-EJ1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Maybe turn the headlights on for a period of time to soften the glue and it may be easier to remove?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Bulb's burnt out, which is why he came to my store. He's a friend of mine too though, so I figured I'd try to help him out.

Thanks for the suggestion though. I could maybe try a hairdryer later on if I can get the car over here (he doesn't know how to remove the assembly himself yet).
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by herro.denmark &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would try breaking the bulb and getting a potato that is cut in half then sticking the broken bulb into the potato and twisting (lefty loosey). That is what I do with broken bulbs in my home. I would assume it would work with this. Hope that helps. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Automotive headlight bulbs are usually only accessible from the rear of the bulb, where the socket it. They also don't twist out except in some (mostly older) applications that use 9005/9006 bulb set-ups.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by instrument &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you leave the lights on for a while see if it becomes brittle.

second choice, go to junkyard, cut out the harness and solder/splice it on to replace.

gonna have to replace it anyway</TD></TR></TABLE>
We've been looking for a local replacement. He drive a lot at night, so this needs to get done quickly. So far, no luck finding one.

Unfortunately the entire bulb needs to be replaced. The harness and housing is all fine. The bulb is glued firmly into the housing though.

We're not so sure that, "But officer, the previous owner glued the old bulb into the housing," will work.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlackDeuceCoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like they used silicone sealant...

I'd just grab it with lineman's pliers, vise-grips, or whatever, and rip it out of there in pieces! </TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't think it's silicone sealant because it's much firmer than silicone usually makes something. It doesn't give at all.

I sort of wonder if it's epoxy of some sort, but I don't know what would dry shiny and clear and still stick so securely.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. If we manage to get it out, I'll report back with how.

 

I suppose the obvious solution here would be to buy another headlight housing, but those cost money. About all I can suggest would be chip/cut/grind the glue. I'm hesitant to suggest using solvents to disolve it in case they eat the plasic headlight housing.

 

first things first, go to the guys house who sold it to your friend and kick his ***, then after make him tell you what he used to glue it on there

 

try taking it out when its hot but wear gloves

 

pull the headlight out so you can work on it first. if its a clear epoxy which it sounds like you are probably going to have to take a dremel tool and grind it off. usually that stuff hardens up pretty tough. if you can get the bulb cut out, you might be able to grab onto the outside pieces with a plyers and pull it off.

you may also risk the chance of breaking the housing. cut it out and get as much out as you can. if you cant get the bulb out, you will need to replace the headlight anyways.

good luck.

 

I'm looking for a headlight for him. I found a few that need to be shipped, but I haven't heard back from him yet.

Thanks again for the help.