How Do You Change A License Plate Light On 2006 Saturn Ion

Download Article

Tag lights, also known equally license plate lights, allow other vehicles to see your license plate in the nighttime. If the tag lights on your vehicle become out, y'all need to replace them equally soon as yous can or else you lot may get pulled over. When it's time to replace the lights, check if at that place are screws on the exterior then you tin can hands remove them. Otherwise, you may demand to remove some of your trunk's liner to access the bulbs.

1
Get new tag lights that are compatible with your vehicle. Plan on replacing both of your tag lights at the same time, since the second 1 will usually burn out presently afterwards the first. Expect upwardly what kind of tag lights are available for your vehicle's make and model online or at an auto supply store. You can either go LED or incandescent bulbs to utilise for your tag lights. Choose white low-cal bulbs and then they illuminate your license plate without causing whatever distractions while you lot're on the road.^[one]
- Tag lights merely cost about $2-3 USD.
- You lot may besides check your vehicle'southward user manual to find what kind of tag lights you need.
2
Loosen the screws on the lights' covers if your vehicle has them. Look for the lights in a higher place your license plate near the latch that opens your body. Locate the screws belongings the covers against your vehicle and utilise a screwdriver to turn them counterclockwise. Once you take the screws loose, pull the covers off of your vehicle to expose the calorie-free bulbs underneath them.^[2]
- The covers may also have rubber gaskets fastened to them. Make sure the gaskets stay attached to the covers when you take it off. Without the gaskets, water could get into the light bulbs and cause it to short out.
Advertisement
iii
Rotate the bases of the lights from underneath if they're attached to the bumper. Lights attached to the back bumper usually don't have screws. Get underneath your vehicle nigh the license plate, and look for the blackness wires leading to the circular ports on the dorsum of the bumper. Rotate the bases of the wires counterclockwise in each of the ports and pull them direct out to access the bulbs.^[3]
- Apply a flashlight to help you detect the wires leading to the back of your bumper.
four
Pull the light bulbs straight out. Grab the light bulbs gently so y'all don't accidentally break them when you remove them. Pull the lights directly out from the bases to remove them. If the lights don't come out, look for plastic or metallic tabs holding them in identify. Press down on them then the low-cal bulbs come loose.^[4]
- You lot tin throw abroad the old tag lights as soon every bit you remove them.
- Don't try to remove the bulbs while your vehicle is running since y'all could get shocked.
v
Push the new tag lights into the slots. Wear cotton gloves when you're handling the new light bulbs so you lot don't smudge or harm them. Marshal the new tag lights and so the prongs on the bottom line up with the holes on the bases. Push the lite bulbs into each base until they click in securely.^[v]
- Don't strength the bulbs into the bases or else you may shatter them.
6
Plough your vehicle on to check if the lights are working. Before putting the covers back on or securing the bases, offset your vehicle and turn on your headlights. Check that the tag lights are lit to make sure your repairs worked. If the tag lights plough on, then turn off your vehicle so you can continue working.^[vi]
- If they aren't lit upward, so in that location may be an outcome with your vehicle'south wiring and yous'll need a mechanic to cheque information technology for you.
vii
Reattach the covers to secure the lights. Position the covers back over the lite bulbs so the screw holes line up. Plow your screwdriver clockwise to tighten the screws dorsum onto the covers to secure them. Once the covers are fastened, your repairs are finished!^[7]
- If yous had to remove the bases from behind your vehicle's bumper, then slide the bases back into place and rotate them clockwise to secure them.
Advertisement

1
Become tag lights that are compatible with your vehicle. Plan on replacing both of your tag lights at the same fourth dimension, even if only one of them burns out. Check in your vehicle's user manual to run across if the type of tag low-cal you demand is listed. Otherwise, search for your vehicle's make and model online or at an auto body shop so you can easily find which lights y'all demand. You can either use LED or incandescent bulbs.
- Tag lights unremarkably cost about $2-three USD a piece.
- About states and countries require you to use white tag lights since they aren't distracting and brand your license plate easy to read.
2
Remove the plastic fasteners holding the top body liner in place. Your trunk's liner is usually held in place by plastic fasteners that look like screws or bolts. Shimmy the end of a screwdriver underneath the head of the fastener that'southward closest to the vehicle'due south license plate, and pry it out of place. Continue removing the fasteners along the edge of your liner so you lot can skin information technology dorsum and plenty to access the lights.^[8]
- Always check if there are screws on the light covers outside your vehicle earlier removing the liner.
- Store the plastic fasteners in a pocket-size basin or container then you don't lose them.
3
Unscrew the bases holding the calorie-free bulbs inside your trunk. Locate the white or tan bases for your tag lights connected to thick black wires on the back of your vehicle. Grab the bases of the lights and turn them counterclockwise until they come loose. Pull the bases direct out from the ports on your vehicle to betrayal the low-cal bulbs.^[nine]
- If you have problem removing the bases by manus, use a wrench or pair of pliers to get a amend grip.
4

Pull the low-cal bulbs out of their bases. Grab the light bulbs with your fingers, and pull them straight out of the bases to remove them. If the lite bulbs don't come out hands, look for plastic or metal tabs holding them in identify. Concur the tabs down with your finger or a screwdriver while y'all pull the lite bulbs out.^[10]

Warning: Don't try to twist or unscrew the tag lights since you could cause them to shatter.
5

Push the new bulbs into the bases until they're secure. Habiliment cotton gloves before y'all handle the new light bulbs, or else yous could affect how long they work. Align the prongs on the bottoms of the tag lights with the shapes of the holes in the bases. Push the tag lights into the bases until they click in securely.^[11]
6

Plough on your vehicle to test if your bulbs work. Before y'all put the bases back into your vehicle, showtime your vehicle and turn on the headlights. The new light bulbs should immediately illuminate. If the tag lights even so don't calorie-free upwards, talk to a mechanic to see if at that place's a problem with your vehicle's wiring or electrical organization.^[12]
vii
Screw the bases dorsum into your vehicle. Feed the tag lights through the holes on the dorsum of your vehicle and then the bases fit in the ports securely. Rotate the bases clockwise to screw them back in so the lights don't motility around or come loose.^[xiii]
- Don't try to strength the low-cal bulbs through the holes since you could accidentally break the bulbs.
8
Secure the fasteners to reattach the trunk liner. Concord the torso liner against the trunk of your vehicle then the fastener holes line up with one another. Push the plastic fasteners into the holes until they click into identify. Continue putting the rest of the fasteners in along the border of the liner so information technology's secure.^[xiv]
- If yous accept trouble pushing the fasteners in all the fashion, gently tap on them with a hammer until they're flush.
Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

What if I replaced the calorie-free seedling but the light does not come on?

It might be a wiring consequence. You may want to have information technology in to run into a mechanic.
Question

How practice I modify a license plate seedling on a 2003 Buick Century?

Open the flap in the trunk liner, remove the wing basics and the full assembly should pull out so you can change the bulb.
Question

What do I do if I desire to modify light license plates on an Avalon from 2001?

Open up the flap in the torso liner, remove the wing basics and the full assembly should pull out so you can change the bulb.

Enquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your electronic mail address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

If you still aren't sure how to access your tag lights, check your vehicle's user manual or accept it into a mechanic.

Advertising

Brand sure your car is turned off while you're working on it or else you could get shocked.
Check your local vehicle laws and regulations to see if there are rules for what type or color lights yous need to use.^[fifteen]