[rollinstone157]

Hello all! I was asked to do a DIY on changing the reverse bulbs in our cars, so here we go!

COST:
30 minutes
>$50 or so needed to buy the bulbs

TOOLS NEEDED:
Replacement Bulbs
T-20 Hex bit or screwdriver
Screwdriver, pliers, or trim removal tool

OVERALL MAP:

DIY Map by RobStone, on Flickr


INSTRUCTIONS:

First, open your trunk, and unlatch the emergency trunk release handle, circled in yellow and shown below.


Trunk Handle Release Hanging by RobStone, on Flickr

Next, Take your trim removal tool and unhook the 6x gray fasteners circled in red using your tool of choice. I chose this pair of pliers over the screwdriver because it has a nice area that allows for a better grip when pulling out the fasteners.


Tool of Choice by RobStone, on Flickr

Now before you go yanking away, take note that these gray trunk fasteners are TWO pieces!! When removing them, make sure you’re pulling out the top “bolt” piece. If you try and pull them both out at the same time, it’s going to be EXTREMELY difficult (learned that when there was no DIY). However, after removing the plastic bolt, I would recommend removing the plastic sheathing as well and setting that with the plastic bolts to prevent part loss.


Two-Piece Design by RobStone, on Flickr

Unscrew the 2x black T-20 screws, circled in green. You should now have this number of fine selection of retaining devices removed:


Plastic Bolts & Hex Removed by RobStone, on Flickr

Now, you’ll notice that the trunk liner wants to pull away the farther it gets from the locking mechanism.


Gap By Trunklid by RobStone, on Flickr

So in order to lower the trunk liner (no need to entirely remove it!) I suggest putting your hands in both of the recesses circled in blue, and gently pulling down and towards the front of the car to slip the liner out of the recesses in the trunk.


IMG_7680.jpg by RobStone, on Flickr

The liner will now be hanging on the 2x black adjusters, circled in orange. Simply lift the trunk liner over the adjusters.


Hanging on Adjusters by RobStone, on Flickr


IMG_7685.jpg by RobStone, on Flickr

Now the trunk liner should be hanging by the emergency release thread. You can now extract the bulb carrier for the rear fog bulb and the reverse light bulb.


Hanging on Adjusters by RobStone, on Flickr

To remove the bulb carrier, place one hand on the unit, and firmly push on the tab to unlock the bulb carrier. While pushing the unlocking tab, gently yet firmly pull the bulb carrier straight down (in order to avoid breaking bulbs).


Unlocking Tab by RobStone, on Flickr


Removing Bulb Carrier by RobStone, on Flickr

With the bulb carrier in your hands, disconnect the power cable by pushing down on the release tab on the black plasgtic wiring connector/harness doodad (offers little resistance, so it’s easy to know when you’ve found it!)

Now gently remove the 921-type bulb by pulling up (not the funky candle-looking twist-lock bulb—that’s for the rear fog), and replace the bulb. Now simply repeat for the other side using the same process.

Before sealing the car back up, connect the power cables to the bulb carriers, and turn on the car to accessory mode (i.e. climate control works but the engine isn’t on), and slip the car in reverse. Make sure that the bulbs light up. If not, check to make sure your bulb is seated properly. If they’re cheap bulbs, flip them around—reversing the polarity does the trick on cheap bulbs that handle electrical input differently than more expensive ones. NOTE: make sure the emergency brake is engaged, and if you are on anything resembling a slope…have someone sit in the car with their foot on the brake.


End Result by RobStone, on Flickr

If everything is good, seal the car back up. I personally like to install the 6x retaining clips, then the 6x plastic bolts, then the 2x hex screws.

[ERIC212NYC]

Thanks for the write up! I tried to be as careful as possible but still ended up breaking one of those stupid fasteners. Why would they use something so flimsy??

I think the brake force BA9s bulb went bad. I don't know how since I doubt I ever use it that much.

Thanks again for the great write up.