How do I remove the tail light???

moparmusclecars · 02-06-2012, 11:20 PM

Can someone please tell me the necessary steps for removing (pulling out) the tail light? I have already removed the rear bumper cover and I removed the two 10mm nuts holding the bottom of the tail light in place. I am not sure if it is bolted in from the back side, or merely snapped in with retainers. Can someone please help me? Thanks

Eli · 02-06-2012, 11:59 PM

Yes, it is bolted in from the back.

"A" is what you're after.

moparmusclecars · 02-07-2012, 12:05 AM

So do i need to remove the interior plastic panel to get to that one bolt or nut? Can i reach in there after pulling the interior trim panel part way back? I messed with it a short period, but I guess it's time to get the tail light out. Thanks for your help!

**interestedguy** · 02-07-2012, 12:24 AM

No you don't have to remove any plastic, you just pull up the little piece of floor carpet (held down with velcro) then pull back the carpeted piece that is against the taillight. Easy as can be.

Cobb · 02-07-2012, 06:36 PM

It would help to know the year of your car. The instructions here are for the older 2 seater model. The ones I gave you through the PM feature are for the newer 5 passenger one.

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Willie Williford · 02-07-2012, 07:25 PM

Well he is on the G1 forum, but his post #3 say 2011 tail light removal.
Got a coin?

Willie

Cobb · 02-07-2012, 08:52 PM

Not sure why he would need to remove the lamp to a brand new car.

Maybe changing the last few filament bulbs to led? I switched out my 194 bulbs to leds everywhere. I had led reverse lamps, but people couldn't see the, however they helped with seeing reflectors in the rear.

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moparmusclecars · 02-08-2012, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the help guys! Well, anyway I'll answer a few of your questions. Yes it is a brand new 2012 car (never sold yet). I am repairing the right quarter panel, and needed to remove the tail light before repainting. I am a body man by trade, but figured I would ask here before getting much into pulling it, as not to break it. Anyway, this particular tail light came out by removing the two 8mm bolts (also has a phillips head) under the black molding inside the hatch jamb area. There is also a clip at the outer back top that has to be popped out. Once that was removed, I did have to wiggle the light around, but then found there to be a clip sideways into the body at the front of the light. I pulled the light back, and got in there with a forked pry tool I use for door panels, etc. Once i got that popped, then it was just a matter of wiggling it out of place, and disconnecting all the bulb sockets, etc. This particular model had no screws or nuts holding it from the back side. Actually you can not really access the back side at all. Now that i know how they come out, it won't be an issue on the next one I do. I apologize if I posted in the wrong area, as I am new here. This was my first posting. Thanks for all your advise.