YACT: replacing brake lights

[Mookow]

Well, I'm not bad with tools, but I have never screwed around with this before, so...

My mom's 1997 Civic LX has brake light that needs replacing. Rear driver's side light. Specifically, the light on the body, not on the trunk. There is an autozone or a pep-boys around... how much should I expect to pay for a new bulb? Any certain brands to avoid? It looks like, from a quick flashlight survey, that I'm going to be loosening the housing for the bulb from in the trunk, right?

Mainly I just want a price-check, the install should be straightforward.

 

[CraigRT]

it's a bulb man... it's probably $2

just buy whatever the right bulb is... thats what I always do.

 

[NeoPTLD]

they look like a small lightbulb with two contacts on the base and have two filaments.

If there is a piece you have to remove to gain access to either lamps, now is the time to replace both. I'd actually replace all the lamps that you can gain access to through this disassembly. Lamps are cheap and you'll minimize having to disassemble again when your other bulbs go out.

If the two sides are completely independent, you don't have to change the other one.

 

[ynot167]

You really should replace it yourself...a couple of things to remember:

Do not touch the bulb with your bear greasy hands.

You should replace both right and left at the same time.

It should cost only a couple of bucks.

good luck

 

[mugs]

Only buy a bulb if it comes with a sticker to put on your car so that everyone knows you use brand X bulbs and they give you Y extra horsepower.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: ynot167
You really should replace it yourself...a couple of things to remember:

Do not touch the bulb with your bear greasy hands.

You should replace both right and left at the same time.

It should cost only a couple of bucks.

good luck

It doesn't matter if you touch brake lamps with your barehands
The statement is only true for halogen bulbs like the headlamps.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: ynot167
You really should replace it yourself...a couple of things to remember:

Do not touch the bulb with your bear greasy hands.

You should replace both right and left at the same time.

It should cost only a couple of bucks.

good luck

dude these aren't halogen lights

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
it's a bulb man... it's probably $2

just buy whatever the right bulb is... thats what I always do.

How many ATOTers does it take to change a brake lite bulb?

OP, it's in the owners manual.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee

How many ATOTers does it take to change a brake lite bulb?

OP, it's in the owners manual.

And what do you think the chances are that my mother kept the owners manual?

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
dude these aren't halogen lights

[Keanu from Celebrity Jeopardy] Yet [/Keanu]