# Headlight loose on 97 Honda Accord **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 28, 2019, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673 "2019-08-28T12:25:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Victor\_Wu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c57346/32.png) [@Victor\_Wu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Victor_Wu)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/1 "2019-08-28T12:25:27Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/3/d32c97419c9e2bab9e85d75ad5e05ac4ad6c03c8.jpeg) First time here, wondering how to approach this loose headlight. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/2 "2019-08-28T12:36:36Z")
> [@Victor\_Wu](#): > > wondering how to approach this loose headlight Not a headlight. That is a marker light housing. First, figure out what is supposed to hold it in place. Second, determine if that device is broken. Third, if it is broken, buy a new light assembly and install it. I think those light housing snap in place with locking tabs. If they’ve broken off, the entire light housing needs to be replaced. Pretty likely given the scuffs on the front bumper. Honda likely no longer sells them (22 year old car) so look to the aftermarket (web search “97 Accord marker light housing”) for a repair. Failing that, get clever and figure out how to re-attach it without the use of tape. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/3 "2019-08-28T13:07:13Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > get clever and figure out how to re-attach it without the use of tape hm… double-sided adhesive tape? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/4 "2019-08-28T13:23:42Z")
> [@thegreendrag0n](#): > > double-sided adhesive tape Not enough surface area for this to work. Plus there should be a gap between the body and light. Finally, because most non-car folks would use clear packing tape over the body to hold it and that looks cheesy! ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 1:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/5 "2019-08-28T13:29:17Z")
Victor , since I have no idea of your mechanical ability or access to tools you might call some small body shops and ask if they have a solution to just hold it in place . The major shops are not geared for anything but actual repair to like new . Also it appears that you need to have the main headlight lens polished because it looks cloudy. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/6 "2019-08-28T14:06:41Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > Not enough surface area for this to work. Plus there should be a gap between the body and light. Since it’s Honda, it is likely to have a “prong+springy clip insert” to hold it in place, where the insert is most likely missing. Applying adhesive tape on that prong and sticking light back into place might actually work, but it is only a speculation without seeing it in person. I had a good experience using 3M tape for such things: > **[Scotch Extreme Mounting Tape : Scotch Double Sided, Water Resistant, Black,...](https://www.target.com/p/3m-extreme-mounting-tape-1-x60/-/A-14413487?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BImprovement%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Home%2BImprovement&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9008156&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=CjwKCAjwzJjrBRBvEiwA867byhV6c-4U2In_TDfmicKopmTWrGyTsm4eEJGOxOGN3Q6RkSGq5QYHLhoCMw8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)** > > Read reviews and buy Scotch Extreme Mounting Tape : Scotch Double Sided, Water Resistant, Black, Plastic, 60" Length at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. it is reasonably thick and rubbery to level-out surfaces “terrain” ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/7 "2019-08-28T15:12:12Z")
I knew what you meant… but you know what you are doing. I suspect the OP does not. When I see “tape” I expect the OP would go straight to duct tape or clear packing tape. With the prong-springy-tab thing, I’d go with clear silicone sealer on the tab. Once it sets, it is stuck in place. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/8 "2019-08-28T15:13:48Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > With the prong-springy-tab thing, I’d go with clear silicone sealer on the tab. Once it sets, it is stuck in place. … and in meantime (while silicone sets), you can hold light in place with… a duck-tape or clear packing tape 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/9 "2019-08-28T15:16:36Z")
Well yeah! Duct tape is a miracle. You can’t build a race car without it! ---
**Author:** ![Victor\_Wu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c57346/32.png) [@Victor\_Wu](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Victor_Wu)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/10 "2019-08-28T17:14:44Z")
Thanks for the responses guys. Gives me a few things to try… (And Mustangman is correct, I do not know what I’m doing) ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/12 "2019-08-28T22:12:09Z")
You can replace both sides for $20 plus tax and shipping from [RockAuto.com](http://RockAuto.com) [https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8489744&cc=1167487&jsn=881](https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8489744&cc=1167487&jsn=881) ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/13 "2019-08-28T23:11:44Z")
While you there, consider new headlight assemblies. Your car will look almost new compared to now with those milky ones it has, and your night vision will be very much better. ---
**Author:** ![jdmere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jdmere/32/3002_2.png) [@jdmere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdmere)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/14 "2019-08-29T01:12:45Z")
Once you lift the hood you should see a phillips head screw holding the side marker on. Once that is removed you simply pull the whole assembly out. If it is loose now I would bet that the screw is missing. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlight-loose-on-97-honda-accord/147673/15 "2019-08-29T01:35:27Z")
OP, examine how the other side is attached. You might get some clues to what’s wrong by that comparison. It appears the front corner may have bumped against something and the impact popped the side light fixture from its moorings. If you find you’ll need a replacement fixture to fix it, and you can’t otherwise find a new one, given this car was widely sold, your local auto-dismantler likely has one on their shelf just waiting for you to drop by. Another good source for a used light fixture is your local Pick N Pull used car parts lot. Their web site will tell you if they have any 97 Accords on their lot currently.