Replacing License Plate Bulbs????

[cgello]

Both bulbs are burned out in my '03 Vibe. Does anyone now how to replace these bulbs? I have taken the lid off of the compartment but cannot figure out how to get the bulbs out. Please help!

[ColonelPanic]

Basically, once you pry off the piece of trim on the hatch you just reach in there, grab the socket and twist. The bulb pulls straight out of the socket. Simple concept in theory, but I found it quite a challenge to get those rascals to budge the first time I tried to remove them. I had to twist mine out with pliers or similar tool (can't recall for sure what I used first) since trying to twist the socket out of there with my hand was a bit painful.Overview:Bulb removed:I can't recall if you have enough clearance so you can get the light assembly out of the hatch if the bulb is in the socket, but if you can't get the bulb out otherwise you can try to remove it... (I just took mine out a minute ago to get these pics but I forgot to test whether that would work. )To do that, just reach in there and squeeze the tabs on both sides. Push the assembly out and catch it on the outside. When you need to put it back, just angle it a bit as you're pushing it back into place. (the top is marked with an arrow so you won't put it in wrong.) Once it was where it needed to be, I just grabbed hold of mine from the inside and pulled back (stuck my finger in the opening for the bulb.) Put the bulb back in and you're good.

[Pyro-Andrew]

what kind are you gonna replace them with??

[quicksilver]

which way do these things twist? I feel like I'm going to break it before it gives, both ways...

[ColonelPanic]

I thought they twisted to the left but can't say for certain.

[WaveAction]

typical rule...righty tighty, lefty loosy

[quicksilver]

From the look of the photo with the bulb holder removed, it looks like it's a quarter turn left, but, this thing will break off before it gives! Why would they do this? It's like someone super glued these things in...

[sublime1970]

Hey guys, Just had to switch out one this afternoon...it wouldn't budge trying to get my hand it thru the tiny opening so I stood behind the bumper (rather than coming at it straight from the inside) & the new angle (hooking my arm from underneath the hatch) made it turn so much easier. They do indeed turn counter-clockwise (lefty-loosey) Beats taking it to the dealer & getting reamed for 50 bucks or whatever just to change a dam lightbulb

[Whelan]

They were a PIA to change out in my Trix, same setup. You need small fingers or needle nose pliers to make the job easier. I put in some of those Lexus high powered LEDs, love em.

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »They were a PIA to change out in my Trix, same setup. You need small fingers or needle nose pliers to make the job easier. I put in some of those Lexus high powered LEDs, love em.Whelan,Did you get the Lexus High Powered LED's?

[Esteban]

TIP ! When working in tight areas like that, find a kid who has little hands. Child labor works great.

[bodhi_tree777]

Just did this today, that space is tiny and I do have small hands. It was worlds easier with a wrench, needlenose or whatever you've got handy that will fit. Just be careful with the wrench placement, it looks like if you squeeze too tightly when turning the sockets out that you can crush the plastic housing a little. BTW (and this may go without saying but I'll say it anyway), if only one of your bulbs goes it you might as well replace them both. They were both installed at the same time and have just about the same shelf life. I had one kick out and the other followed suit within a couple of days.

[fl_gal]

and was it indeed counter-clockwise? I worked a better part of an hour trying to twist it either way and it wouldnt budge! It was angering me enough to where I almost didn't care if I broke it.

[jake75]

How much extra would it cost to have an easier to replace that light bulb. That is one of the things that ticks me off about auto manufacturers.In Columbus, OH and I am sure elsewhere, many cops like to write chicken-crap tickets for such things. A lot less risk than than trying to curtail drug dealing etc. Then if the driver takes it to court, the cop can get easy bucks overtime by appearing. Never happened to me, but I know of others. One person was cited for not signaling for a left turn (he was in a left turn lane) as well as a burned out license plate light. In court the cop agreed to drop the left turn violation for a guilty plea on the burned out license plate light. No points for that. The offender called me for advice (I am an attorney). I told him that was the best deal he was going to get. If I were the judge I would have dismissed both charges, but the judges are part of the problem. The fine for speeding is usually more than for a person gets for breaking into a car. The system is broke.

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by fl_gal »and was it indeed counter-clockwise? I worked a better part of an hour trying to twist it either way and it wouldnt budge! It was angering me enough to where I almost didn't care if I broke it.sorry, forgot to reply to this earlier. It was counter-clockwise, about an 1/8th of a turn and out. Yours sounds like it's glued in or something, it really wasn't too tight, just a tight space to work in. Let us know how it worked out

[Bastranz]

Whew! First, thanks very much for this tutorial, it really helped me out! Replacing taking out my right hand light wasn't too difficult - there seems to be more room on that side, not to mention it was already "professionally" replaced while I had an oil change, but the other one...yikes! Not much space at all with the wires and such.It seems like the bulb holders "snap" into place, and they seem to only go in one way. Nonetheless, after a while of trying to figure how to get this and that to work (including removing the actual bulb - was worried about doing something wrong by "just pulling out") I finally got everything to work well.Not too bad for my very first time EVER doing this. Now my lovely Vibe is sporting LED bulbs...hopefully I won't have to do this for quite a while, heh.

[Mark]

Man I love this site.

Noticed this morning that one of mine is out, but I knew that all I needed to do was search GenVibe and I'd have answers to what bulb and how-to in minutes.