How to replace the trunk light in a 2003 Honda Civic coupe

When you open the trunk of a 2003 Honda Civic coupe, one tiny bulb lights up to illuminate the interior.  Most people will never notice this bulb until it burns out and you need to find something in your trunk at night.  Fortunately the bulb is both cheap and fairly easy to replace.

The trunk light is a small, inexpensive 5 watt bulb (bulb #168).  If you're purchasing a replacement bulb and you intend to have your car for a while, you might want to buy a multi-pack of bulbs, because several other areas of the car use the same 5 watt bulb, including the side marker lights, side turn signal lights, front parking lights, and license plate lights.  Amazon.com sells a pair of long life replacement bulbs for $6.99.

To replace the trunk light bulb, the first thing you'll need to do is open the trunk.  (It doesn't matter if the car is on or off.)  The bulb is located in the ceiling of the trunk, enclosed in a white plastic case.  You can remove the whole case by pushing in on the two tabs, one located on either side of the case, or by releasing one of the tabs and working the case loose.  A flathead screwdriver or other flat blade may help.  If you are still having trouble, try working one of your fingers through a nearby hole in the ceiling frame to get at the tab from the upper side.

Once the case is loose, it will still be attached to the electrical connector.  Push in on the tab of the connector and pull the connector away from the case.  Now the case is completely free.

To open the case, pull up on both sides of the cover.  The cover should lift open, exposing the bulb.  If you are patient and diligent, you can remove the bulb with your fingers, but it can help to grab it with a pair of plastic tweezers.  Be careful -- the bulb may be hot if the light has been on for any length of time.  You can also try to pry the bulb up from the side, but if you attempt to remove it this way, be wary not to damage the contacts that the bulb touches.

To install the new bulb, simply push it into the hole left vacant by the old bulb.  Avoid touching the new bulb with your hands as much as possible -- skin oils can cause hot spots on the bulb that can burn it out early.  If you have latex gloves you can wear one of them, or grasp the bulb with a paper towel or napkin.

Once the bulb is in, close the case cover, then reattach the connector.  Now just push the case back into place, so that the two tabs lock in on either side.  The bulb should light up as soon as you attach the connector, since the trunk is open.

(Originally published on Helium.com, April 2012)