How Do I Change the Brake Light on a 2000 Honda Odyssey?

Replace a burnt-out brake light bulb immediately to prevent an accident.

Burnt-out brake lights are a major safety hazard. Without the ability to signal your intention to slow or stop, other motorists could collide with your 2000 Honda Odyssey minivan, placing you and your family at risk of injury or worse. Unfortunately, replacing the faulty bulb can be a mystery to many Odyssey owners since the tail light that houses the bulb appears to be completely sealed off from access. Removing the tail light from the van is the only option and is much easier than it appears. Expect the entire task to take 15 minutes to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Flat head screwdriver
• Phillips head screwdriver
• #7443 brake light bulb

Instructions

1. Turn the van's ignition switch to the "Run" or "Accessories" position and depress the brake pedal to illuminate the brake lights. Instruct an assistant to stand behind the van to determine which brake light does not illuminate. Turn the ignition switch off.

2. Open the van's tailgate. Locate the pair of square bolt covers on the side of the tail light housing, next to the tailgate's frame. Pry the covers off of the tail light housing compartment wall with a flat head screwdriver to access the tail light's mounting bolts.

3. Unscrew the mounting bolts with a Phillips head screwdriver. Pull the tail light's plastic tab out of the mounting grommet on the van's rear fender. Pull the tail light away from the van.

4. Locate the brake light bulb on the top half of the tail light. Turn the bulb's socket counterclockwise and pull it out of the tail light. Pull the damaged bulb out of the socket and press a new #7443 bulb into place. Insert the socket into the tail light and turn it clockwise to lock the socket into place.

5. Push the tail light's plastic tab into the grommet on the van's rear fender. Tighten the tail light's mounting bolts with the Phillips head screwdriver. Press the bolt covers into the rear compartment wall.

6. Turn the van's ignition switch on and depress the brake pedal to illuminate the brake lights. Have an assistant stand behind the van to check that both brake lights illuminate. Turn the ignition switch off.

Tips & Warnings

• Check that the bulb is fully inserted into its socket if the brake light fails to illuminate.

References

• "2000 Honda Odyssey Owner's Manual;" Honda Motor Co.; 2000