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2009-2013 Honda Fit Headlight Replacement

This guide will walk you through the process of...

iFixit Library Honda Fit Moderate 30 minutes - 1 hour Guide 165634

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Guide overview

Before you begin

This guide will walk you through the process of removing and installing a new headlight assembly for a 2013 Honda Fit. This guide works with all 2013 Honda Fit models and should apply to the second-generation Honda Fit (2009-2013) as well. Warning: If you're replacing a broken headlight assembly after a car accident, look out for broken pieces of the old headlight as they can be sharp. Remove them carefully. Tips: I highly recommend picking up a ratchet set, it's a useful toolset that can be used in plenty of other places, and they're not all that expensive.I also recommend putting down a mat or a towel to lay on when you're under the car.When you've reached the step that your headlight has been screwed in, check to make sure the lights are functioning. It'll be a lot of work to have to remove the bumper again so check the lights before complete reassembly. Before you begin the repair, put your car in park and turn it off. For extra safety, engage the parking brake.

Step 1

Repair step

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With someone spotting you, drive the front wheels of the car onto your vehicle ramps. Make sure to put the parking brake on!
Place jack stands underneath the car as an additional measure of protection for when you're under the car.
Jack stands must be placed under something strong enough that if the car were to fall, the jack stands wouldn't punch through—either one of your vehicle's secure jack points, or an unpainted area of the frame.

Step 2

Repair step

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Under the hood of the car you'll find the radiator cover at the front of the car, just above the Honda Emblem.
Using a fastener removal tool, pry up the fasteners. Depending on how embedded the fastener is, you can go under the outer ring if it's already loose. Otherwise, pry from under the pin inside the fastener ring.
Lift off the radiator shield.

Step 3

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Above the front tires, use a Phillips #2 screwdriver or a socket wrench with a Phillips screwdriver extension to remove the screw located below the point where the bumper meets the side panels of the car.
Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver or a socket wrench with a Phillips screwdriver extension to remove the screws from both the driver's side and the passenger's side.
Make sure you put these screws in a safe place, you'll need them later.

Step 4

Repair step

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Use a panel removal tool to unhook the clips attaching the bumper and remove the bumper.
You should be able to use the same tool you used for the previous step.
It may take some force to lift the clips, but make sure to be careful, the clips can snap under too much pressure.

Step 5

Repair step

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Use fastener removal tool to remove the fasteners under the bumper.
You shouldn't need to remove all the fasteners, just enough to allow the bumper to separate from the front of the car.
Remove or partially remove the bumper.
Now you should have full access to all of the screws holding the headlight onto the car.
Assuming you haven't been in an accident your car may look slightly different.

Step 6

Repair step

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Use a socket wrench to remove the four 10 mm bolts securing the headlight. The first is easy to find right above the headlight near the side paneling.
The next is toward the inner corner at the top of the light. The third is underneath that.
The final bolt is on the side of the light below the first bolt and next to the side paneling.

Step 7

Repair step

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Once the headlight is free from the vehicle, locate the three electrical connectors that power the bulbs.
Remove the connectors starting from the bottom and working your way to the top.
To remove the first connector, squeeze down on the clip holding it in.
Pull the next connector straight out of the socket.
For the last one, squeeze down on the clip holding it in and pull it out.

Step 8

Repair step

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Use a socket wrench to remove the two 10 mm screws under the headlight, to release the support component.
This piece will go onto your new headlight.
The support is held on by two 10mm screws underneath the headlight.
Transfer the support to the new headlight assembly and screw the piece back into place.