How to Replace the High Beam Bulbs on a 2005 Acura Rl

The Acura RL's history dates back to the release of the Acura Legend in 1986. Despite its popularity, Acura dropped the Legend after the 1995 model year and replaced it with the 3.5 RL. In 2005, Acura completely overhauled the RL lineup, dropping the "3.5" from the name and leaving just the "RL" designation. The 2005 RL came fitted with a 300-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The redesign also included a new headlight setup. The 2005 RL had a combination of high-intensity discharge bulbs and standard halogen bulbs. The low beams were HIDs and the high beams used standard halogen bulbs. Replacing the halogen high beam bulbs in the 2005 RL requires the removal of the upper fender covers.

Instructions

Driver's Side High Beam Bulb

1

Open the RL's hood and locate the battery trim -- the plastic cover -- on the front corner of the engine compartment.

2

Turn the knob on the passenger's side of the battery trim counterclockwise to unlock the cover. Insert a small flat-head screwdriver under each of the three clips on the battery cover -- two on the front and on the driver's side -- and disengage the clips. Pull the cover up from the engine compartment.

3

Locate the upper fender trim -- the plastic cover attached to the inner part of the driver's side fender. Place the blade of a flat-head screwdriver under the center of each of the five clips -- one in the center and four near the rear of the trim -- and pry the center pin from the clips to unlock them. Pry up on the five clips to remove them from the fender trim. Pull the fender trim from the fender.

4

Press the locking tabs on the plastic battery cover -- one on the left side and one on the right side of the cover -- and pull the battery cover from the battery.

5

Remove the two nuts securing the battery hold-down -- the metal bar holding the battery in place -- with a ratchet and socket. Pull the battery hold down from the battery and slide the battery toward the rear of the RL to create enough space to access the headlight bulb. Do not remove the battery cables.

6

Locate the outer bulb on the rear of the headlight assembly. Unplug the wiring harness plugging into the rear of the bulb by pressing the locking button and pulling the plug from the bulb.

7

Grab the headlight bulb and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the bulb from the headlight assembly.

8

Grab a new 9005 headlight bulb and insert it into the headlight assembly. Make certain to line up the tabs on the bulb with the notches on the headlight assembly. Turn the bulb clockwise to lock it into place. Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the new headlight bulb.

9

Slide the battery back into its position and reinstall the battery hold-down. Tighten the battery hold-down nuts with a ratchet and socket. Set the battery cover back on the battery and press down until it snaps into place.

10

Set the upper fender trim back on the driver's side fender and reinsert the five clips. Press the center pins of the clips in to lock the clips in place.

11

Reinstall the battery trim on the front corner of the engine compartment and turn the knob clockwise to lock it into place.

12

Close the RL's hood.

Passenger's Side High Beam Bulb

13

Open the RL's hood and locate the passenger's side upper fender trim -- the plastic trim on the inside of the passenger's side fender.

14

Pull the rubber washer sprayer hoses from the front and rear of the upper fender trim. Place the blade of a flat-head screwdriver under the center of each of the five clips -- one in the center and four near the rear of the trim -- and pry the center pin from the clips to unlock them. Pry up on the five clips to remove them from the fender trim. Pull the fender trim from the fender.

15

Locate the high beam headlight bulb -- the outer bulb on the rear of the headlight assembly. Unplug the wiring harness plugging into the rear of the headlight by pressing the locking button and pulling the harness from the rear of the bulb.

16

Grab the rear of the bulb and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the bulb from the headlight assembly.

17

Grab the plastic part of the new 9005 bulb and insert the bulb into the headlight assembly, lining up the tabs on the bulb with the notches in the headlight assembly. Turn the bulb clockwise to lock it into place.

18

Plug the wiring harness into the rear of the high beam bulb. Listen for it to click into place.

19

Reinstall the upper fender trim and press the five clips into place. Press the center pins on the clips to lock the clips into place. Reinstall the washer hoses into the front and rear of the fender trim.

20

Close the RL's hood.