What is the low beam headlight bulb size for a 1986 Honda Civic?

The 1986 Honda Civic uses a 9004 bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

What is the high beam headlight bulb size for a 1986 Honda Civic?

The high beam bulb size for the 1986 Honda Civic is N/A.

Why are my 1986 Honda Civic headlights dim?

Dim headlights on a 1986 Honda Civic can be caused by aging halogen bulbs, which lose brightness over time, or oxidation (cloudiness) on the plastic headlight lenses. Upgrading to a 9004 LED conversion kit can provide a significantly brighter and whiter light output.

Which bulb fits the 1986 Honda Civic fog light?

The 1986 Honda Civic typically does not come with factory fog lights in all trim levels. If your vehicle is equipped with them, check the manual as sizes can vary by trim.

Is the 1986 Honda Civic single or dual beam?

The 1986 Honda Civic uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Can I install LED bulbs on my 1986 Honda Civic?

Yes, the 1986 Honda Civic comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9004 LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Did the 1986 Honda Civic change headlight bulb sizes from the previous year?

Yes — the 1986 Honda Civic uses different bulb sizes than the 1985 model. The 1986 generation introduced this bulb configuration.

Is the 1986 Honda Civic the first or last year to use 9004 bulbs?

The 1986 Honda Civic is the only year in the 1986 generation to use the 9004 bulb for the low beam headlight.

How do I change the headlight on a 1986 Honda Civic?

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 9004 bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

Are LED headlights legal for a 1986 Honda Civic?

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 9004 LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

How much does it cost to replace 1986 Honda Civic headlights?

A pair of halogen 9004 bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

What is the difference between halogen and LED for a 1986 Honda Civic?

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 9004 position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

The 1986 Honda Civic has a unique bulb configuration not shared with adjacent model years.

Fitment Guaranteed for 1986 Honda Civic

What Size Bulbs Does a 1986 Honda Civic Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1986 Honda Civic Have?

Lighting on the 1986 Honda Civic is managed by a total of 9 bulbs, covering everything from primary headlights to signal indicators. It features a comprehensive lighting system powered by a dual-bulb halogen configuration using separate 9004 low beam and high beam bulbs for precise light distribution. This model belongs to the mid years of the Civic's 1973-2022 production span.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1986 Honda Civic?

Upgrading to LED is one of the most effective ways to modernize your Honda's appearance and safety profile. We recommend starting your upgrade with the 9004 low beams, as they see the most use. Adding a matching LED kit later will complete the look and ensure consistent lighting performance.

1986 Honda Civic Bulb Size Chart

Position	Bulb Size	Shop
Side Marker	168	Buy 168 →
Turn Signal Front	1156	Buy 1156 →
Low Beam	9004	Buy 9004 →
Parking Light	168	Buy 168 →
Brake Light	921	Buy 921 →
Reverse Light	1156	Buy 1156 →
Turn Signal Rear	1156	Buy 1156 →
Dome Light	DE3022	Buy DE3022 →
Trunk Light	DE3021	Buy DE3021 →

How do the 1986 Honda Civic's bulbs compare to other years?

The 1986 Honda Civic changed bulb sizes from 1985. The previous model year used a different configuration.

The 1987 model switched to a different bulb configuration.

This bulb configuration covers the 1986 model years. ← 1985 1987 →

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Other Civic Years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1976 1975 1974 1973

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