Removing sedan license plate lights

[Stew]

Removing sedan license plate lights for LED's

Looked in the owner manual, went out to my car to remove them, came back inside and typed this thread.

It looks like you pry on them and they should pop out but I started to worry I was going to break the dang things for crying out loud. Is that really how you remove them, pry them out?

Thanks guys,
Stewart

 

[bandita52]

i've used a small flat tip screw driver to slowly remove them and this was on my previous car. have you removed them yet.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Yeah I basically pried off the ends of the plastic rivets with a flat head screw driver, then pulled off the mount.

 

[Stew]

Not yet, it's getting dark out now but I'll make another attempt in the morning. I want to put LED lights in there but wanted to measure exactly how much room there is to make sure I get ones that will fit.

Yeah I basically pried off the ends of the plastic rivets with a flat head screw driver, then pulled off the mount.

ThatTmoGuy, you mean you remove the inside trunk liner and remove the lights from the inside?

 

[Stew]

So I'm not sure what I was smoking the first time I tried to remove them but, uh, it's really easy.

I was looking at the orientation of the bulb before ordering LED replacements, now there are too many LED bulbs to choose from and I can't decide. What ones did you guys pick and are you happy with them?

Stew

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Oh my bad for some reason I thought I read something about the front plate Mount.

Sorry about that, I must have been smoking something similar

 

[bandita52]

i have led bulbs for my license plate lights. it makes a bid difference since i didn't have to cut into the wires for the light bulbs and use a flex led strip to get that same look. i'll have to take some night pics here soon.

 

[The Jerk]

I cannot for the life of me get these license plate lights out. The plastic covering is on the verge of breaking and I don't want to screw it up. I tried getting it out with a flat head and I feel like I will break it. Any suggestions?

 

[Stew]

Yep, they are in there spring loaded towards the drivers side. You can't just pry straight down, push to the passenger side and then pry out, they'll come right out.

 

[The Jerk]

Yep, they are in there spring loaded towards the drivers side. You can't just pry straight down, push to the passenger side and then pry out, they'll come right out.

I can't believe how simple that just was... Thanks Stew!

 

[Stew]

The 2825 LED replacements came in, was a WAG choosing one to go with, lot's to choose from. I settled on these:

Here is a pic to compare standard bulb to LED.

Was thinking it wasn't going to be bright enough but after getting them both in and it got a little darker I think they are just about right.

Most of the little surface-mount LEDs don't point towards the license plate and the bulb housing isn't reflective inside, but even so the light output is right about where I wanted it.

 

[savegejon123]

Wish I had read this before. I tried and ended up scratching my scratch free car. I called Gm for assistance on how to do it and instead of telling me the guy just kept saying dont do it. It messes up your car.

 

[$ub$onic]

I don't know about the sedan but the hatchback was simple. Pry it out with a pry tool. In my case a small flat head driver. Simple and took 5 min and didn't even scratch the car

 

[barch88]

Anyone know how to get interior lights out? Map lights/dome?

 

[Danielryan]

Hey guys, I was wondering what size the LED license plate lights are. Anyone know?

 

[carsNskis]

Hey guys, I was wondering what size the LED license plate lights are. Anyone know?

The start of the thread has every bulb, great write up

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19656