DIY: Vanity Light Removal, with pictures
#1
DIY: Vanity Light Removal, with pictures
After taking in a lot of information from many posts on lighting modification of the TL, I figured it was time to give back to the community a bit! The one thing I was unable to find that many people have seemed to have trouble with was the removal of the vanity light covers. I could have seriously used some pictures when I was removing mine, so I thought I'd create a thread with just that: a picture-based how-to for vanity light cover removal on the 3G TL!
First things first, what you need:
1: Flathead Screwdriver
2: Patience and a light touch
Onto the actual work! Get into the passenger side first and pull down the visor to reveal the vanity light:
Next, slide your screwdriver underneath the metal plate on the front-side closest to the center console.
Angle the screwdriver and push it further into the space above the light.
Rotate the screwdriver handle towards the center console. You should feel a slight bit of resistance and see the light cover begin to move downwards as you depress the release tab (you can see this if you look closely in the picture below).
Then just pull the cover out! It might take a bit more force than you expect, but you wont break anything if you take it slow.
Given that people have also had trouble getting this bulb out, I'll tell you all a very easy way to remove it - take off that little plastic cover and use the screwdriver to push it out.
Be gentle, it's a very easy piece to remove (and lose if you drop it).
Once you've unclipped one side, it's as simple as pulling it off.
Now for the bulb - just slide you screwdriver gently behind it (it won't fit all the way, just the corner is fine to start) and carefully push outward - the bulb will slowly start to slide out and the screwdriver will eventually slide in behind it. At this point, you're essentially done!
Just throw in your smexy LEDs, pop the plastic cover back on, and slide the light cover back up into the metal housing.
I realize that the majority of you have probably already done this or given up, but I hope this is helpful to any 3G TL owners who are looking to do this still!
First things first, what you need:
1: Flathead Screwdriver
2: Patience and a light touch
Onto the actual work! Get into the passenger side first and pull down the visor to reveal the vanity light:
Next, slide your screwdriver underneath the metal plate on the front-side closest to the center console.
Angle the screwdriver and push it further into the space above the light.
Rotate the screwdriver handle towards the center console. You should feel a slight bit of resistance and see the light cover begin to move downwards as you depress the release tab (you can see this if you look closely in the picture below).
Then just pull the cover out! It might take a bit more force than you expect, but you wont break anything if you take it slow.
Given that people have also had trouble getting this bulb out, I'll tell you all a very easy way to remove it - take off that little plastic cover and use the screwdriver to push it out.
Be gentle, it's a very easy piece to remove (and lose if you drop it).
Once you've unclipped one side, it's as simple as pulling it off.
Now for the bulb - just slide you screwdriver gently behind it (it won't fit all the way, just the corner is fine to start) and carefully push outward - the bulb will slowly start to slide out and the screwdriver will eventually slide in behind it. At this point, you're essentially done!
Just throw in your smexy LEDs, pop the plastic cover back on, and slide the light cover back up into the metal housing.
I realize that the majority of you have probably already done this or given up, but I hope this is helpful to any 3G TL owners who are looking to do this still!
The following 8 users liked this post by Kaliper:
AndrewA (09-12-2012),
BxTrini_TL (11-01-2013),
DMZ (12-11-2012),
MiaQbn23 (02-02-2013),
pohljm (01-31-2013),
and 3 others liked this post.
#2
Safety Car
iTrader: (7)
I would actually recommend disconnecting the connector to the vanity light after you remove it.
If you just stick a screw driver in there to pop the bulb out while it's still connected, that will cause a short to ground and you'll most likely blow a fuse of some sort. Possibly something worse.
All in all, very good DIY. It's very nice of you to spend one of your first posts as a DIY to help others. New member and already lending a helping hand. Nice!
If you just stick a screw driver in there to pop the bulb out while it's still connected, that will cause a short to ground and you'll most likely blow a fuse of some sort. Possibly something worse.
All in all, very good DIY. It's very nice of you to spend one of your first posts as a DIY to help others. New member and already lending a helping hand. Nice!
The following users liked this post:
Bearcat94 (09-12-2012)
#3
Drifting
Great writeup! I tried a few years ago getting those lights out and gave up. I feel more empowered to make it happen now. The service manual was not helpful- the trick is the rotate-90 of the screwdriver and going under the metal plate.
Thanks
Thanks
#4
Race Director
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Great DIY but I still think the man who designed these lights should be greatly harmed...
#5
Drifting
funny thing is that the vanity light is the same as the trunk light, and i got that replaced in a heartbeat. i think what makes this difficult is that the headliner bends as you apply pressure, so you cant really get good leverage on the plastic lens. realistically, the screwdriver should be between the metal frame and the plastic lens, but because everything bends when you apply pressure, it just doesnt let go.
the trunk light, on the other hand, pops off in seconds, since the plastic lens will move independently of the metal body frame that its connecting to.
OP - good job on the DIY! only thing i disagree on is touching the metal contacts with the screwdriver. i actually just wore a rubber glove and i was able to pull it off without the need to remove anything else.
also what will make it easier is that, once you pop it off, you can unplug the power connector so you dont have to work on the light while its hanging from the headliner.
#6
Racer
iTrader: (3)
ha, i just cracked the plastic cover the other day. i was trying to wedge the screwdriver between the plastic and the metal instead of between the metal and the headliner. nice write-up!
Also, I removed the bulb by grabbing it with a set of needle nose pliers and tugging gently.
Also, I removed the bulb by grabbing it with a set of needle nose pliers and tugging gently.
Last edited by AndrewA; 09-12-2012 at 11:16 AM.
#7
I followed the DIY in the garage and managed to get it out pretty easily. Took a few tries to actually figure it out.
Mine did not have that plastic cover over the bulb? I simply used the tape method to pull the bulbs out, that worked flawlessly.
Nice writeup though.. seeing this would have saved me a little time on all the reading, but oh well.
Mine did not have that plastic cover over the bulb? I simply used the tape method to pull the bulbs out, that worked flawlessly.
Nice writeup though.. seeing this would have saved me a little time on all the reading, but oh well.
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#8
AZ Community Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
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I agree:
Easy for you to say, lol. Those stupid F'n plastic lenses cost like $16 each and, yes, they DO break.
I have put a curse on engineer who designed the vanities. He will rot in Hell for all eternity replacing vanity bulbs on a 3G TL.
The "trick" is get that small screwdriver between the Lens and the Metal Bracket and push the Lens clip in, then pull down. The clip is on the side closest to the center of the car.
I have put a curse on engineer who designed the vanities. He will rot in Hell for all eternity replacing vanity bulbs on a 3G TL.
The "trick" is get that small screwdriver between the Lens and the Metal Bracket and push the Lens clip in, then pull down. The clip is on the side closest to the center of the car.
The following users liked this post:
Undying Dreams (11-17-2012)
The following users liked this post:
Undying Dreams (11-17-2012)
#10
Race Director
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Bump for a great thread, also, possible move to 3G Garage?
#11
Instructor
Hey there, just swapped my vanities for LEDs tonight. Just wanted to add to this DIY, I found what I think is an easier way to get to them. If you look on the edge closest to the middle of the car there's an indent and I found if you just slide a screw driver in there it pops right open.
Sorry for the crappy quality pics but you get the idea. And those debating LEDs DO IT!! Looks so much cleaner with the pure white light.
Mak
Sorry for the crappy quality pics but you get the idea. And those debating LEDs DO IT!! Looks so much cleaner with the pure white light.
Mak
The following 3 users liked this post by MacKenzie001:
#15
10th Gear
First of all, thank you and awesome job on the initial writeup and pictures.
I wanted to add to this great writeup regarding the actual removal of the bulb. You can get the bulb out without removing that plastic by:
1. Unplug the light from the harness (You could leave it in but its easier if removed).
2. Grab the bulb
3. With your other thumb...use your nail to push it out as your pulling with your other hand.
[IMG][/IMG]
It should come right out...it did for me in both of my TL's.
I wanted to add to this great writeup regarding the actual removal of the bulb. You can get the bulb out without removing that plastic by:
1. Unplug the light from the harness (You could leave it in but its easier if removed).
2. Grab the bulb
3. With your other thumb...use your nail to push it out as your pulling with your other hand.
[IMG][/IMG]
It should come right out...it did for me in both of my TL's.
#17
Suzuka Master
I believe its 194, some one can confirm this.
#18
Racer
iTrader: (1)
Yes its 194, I have a ton of LEDS laying around if anyone needs a kit let me know....AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT USING A SCREWDRIVER UNLESS YOU DISCONNECT THE HOUSING/WIRING. NO POINT IN BLOWING FUSES
#19
Hey there, just swapped my vanities for LEDs tonight. Just wanted to add to this DIY, I found what I think is an easier way to get to them. If you look on the edge closest to the middle of the car there's an indent and I found if you just slide a screw driver in there it pops right open.
Sorry for the crappy quality pics but you get the idea. And those debating LEDs DO IT!! Looks so much cleaner with the pure white light.
Mak
Sorry for the crappy quality pics but you get the idea. And those debating LEDs DO IT!! Looks so much cleaner with the pure white light.
Mak
I finally tried this technique and within 5 seconds i felt something shift - and I finally had hope this was going to get done today!!! then with a little more careful prying and pushing - the lense popped out - and I was done !!
thank you very much for this!!
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