need help changing a turn signal bulb?

Question

i know this sounds stupid, but I don't have the owners manual to this SUV. its my husbands and he is deployed and i try to maintain his and my vehicle, mine came with a owners manual when i bought used, and we thought we bought one, but it was a repair guide, and that doesn't help with replacement of a light bulb. i don't know if its the right rear or right front, but when i turn the signal right, it ticks really fast. its a 95 honda passport, 4x4 , 5 speed manual transmission, 6cylender. I can't seem to find a place to change the front, but the back you have to unscrew the entire tail light to get it out, but then after that ia m clueless. please, help, as i live in a state that loves to ticket for such dumb things and i don't want a $75 ticket when i got the bulb, and i don't want to pay $15 labor for someone to put it in. Thank you

ok, adding some details. as we do have a haynes manual, but it does NOT give any help to change the bulb. when i turn it on to check wether the front or back neither the front nor back light up. I can find the screws for the back, not the front. I am in VA and the people on post here charge $15 to change bulbs. its not free to help military out here. if it was my car, it would be as easy as a 1.4 turn, and so forth, but in the 4 yrs we have had this suv, no bulbs have gone out in it, so why not while hubby is away. please, if anyone HAS a passport, or isuzu rodeo, they are the same, please help. why do both right turnsignal lights not work, both 'blew' at the same time? can that happen?

Answer 1

Easy..

turn on the motor. Turn the signal on.

If its blinking fast, it means one of them is shot.

you'll know which one it it.
If its the front, pop the hood and you can get to it from behind.

If its the rear, you'll have to get the trunk lining material out of the way. Look for big black screw-type things that you need to unscrew (with a penny) before you can get to the lights.

DONT TOUCH the light bulbs with your hand! The oils in your hand can reduce the life of the bulb.

Its not hard at all, just do your best!
Good luck and I wish the best for your husband, wherever he is!!
We appreciate his sacrifice!!

Answer 2

I don't own a Passport but first determine front or back by getting out and looking with the signal on. I think that both the front and back should come out with screws and then its just a matter of replacing the bulb. The rear should be larger than the one up front. Generally the rears have two notches on them one higher than the other make sure you push down and turn and the old one will come out. Then line up the notches properly and push down and turn the opposite way. If you don't have the notches lined up right you won't get it to go in. In the front it should be a small bulb that just pops out by pulling straight out and the new one you just push back in. Walmart or any parts store will have the bulbs and they will have either a book or an easy to use part finder with menus guiding you through based on make model year. Good luck and thank you to your husband and all your family for the sacrifices you make for our Country.

PS If you live near Lancaster, PA I would be glad to change it for you! Advance auto or somewhere like that would probably talk you through it or even help if you asked I bet.

Answer 3

Those bulbs are generally a quarter turn of the bulb holder, and the entire holder comes out. Then the lamp itself is a quarter turn to remove it from the socket. The front lights may be under the area where the battery is located. For you, and the least trouble for you, go to an autoparts store and see if they will just do it for you. If they will not, and there is a technical college nearby, or the local school system has an instruction program for automotive repair, go see them. The schools that teach auto repair need people with vehicle problems so that the students get to deal with real life problems. Go see one of them, and I am sure that they will help you. If I knew what base you are near, I might be able to direct you to a place to assist you. If you are an Army wife, or any other service and just happen to be near the base, then go to the base auto hobby shop, they can, and will assist you.

Answer 4

Generally if the turn signal blinks twice as fast is a bulb that needs changing. If that does not help then start from the bulb socket and check the wiring. Could be a broken wire or a loose connection.

Answer 5

You are quire correct in your diagnosis. When a turn signal burns out this is the way the "system" lets you know. Generally front turn signal bulbs are replaced by turning the part that the wires go through about 1/4 turn and then the bulb and socket come out. Depending on the type of bulb, it may push in or push-and-turn. It is possible that the front turn signal lens is screwed on to the reflector and you must remove this to change the bulb. If it is, you will see the screws when you look at the lens (they will be most likely Phillips (X) type screws.

Answer 6

yes it is possible for 2 bulbs to go out at once. its a coincidence thing. but if i remember right, for the front one, if you raise the hood and look right on top of the headlight assembly, there is a little screw right in the corner facing up (right where the body panel comes to a point over the light). remove this screw and you kinda have to pop the back bottom corner out, usually with a flathead screwdriver (carefull not to chip the paint). then it just swings down and out. as for the rear, (im trying to remember) after you remove the entire light assembly, either the bulb does a 1/4 turn to come out, or there is a panel that the wiring plugs into that is either screwed or snapped into place. after taking that off, just look at the lens to see which bulb does what (white is reverse light, red is brake, yellow lens should be your turn signal). replace it, reassemble and you should be set. if you still have problems, try your local advance auto parts store. usually if you buy the parts from them, they will come help you install the little things like that. hope this helps (assuming my memory hasnt failed me, haha)

Answer 7

Personally I like the Haynes manuals that you should be able to pick up at the local auto part store. Chilton's manuals are another option. Some part stores will also have in store books that you can view rather than purchase. These manuals should be useful for basic repairs such as this and they will cover more advanced repairs as well (i.e. engine rebuilds). Likely you have some screws that are somewhat hidden for the front assembly or maybe you have to reach in through the engine compartment.

Answer 8

if one burns out soon the other will follow some of the areas for changeing bulbs are really tight go slowly and do it in a safe place some bulbs can be pressurized so wear glasses and try to not git your oils on it from your fingers once you have the lense in hand and you see the wires it twists left or right

Answer 9

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