License plate lights replacement

[hester802]

Hi all, I'm a newbie on this forum. I just bought a used 06 Corolla S last month. Got some new tires, transmission fluid and brake pads changed. The car runs very smooth and gives me pretty good mileage But I just found my license plate lights were out. So I am trying to replace them by myself, though the manual said I should consult with the dealer. I googled online for instructions, but I'm still having trouble to get them out. Does anyone know or tried to take them out?

Here's what I did so far:
1) Took out all the little black pins
2) Remove the carpet
3) Unplug the wires
4) Tried to twist the sockets counter-clockwise to get the light bulbs out but failed, they just didn't move

Thanks in advance

[invader]

"Pull the license plate light assy to the side of vehicle as shown in the illustration and release the claw. Disconnect the connector and remove the license plate light assy."

You have to slide the whole lamp assemblies outward (left one to the left, right one to the right) to pop them inside, and then access the bulbs... It'll be easier to rotate the socket without popping the lamp assembly inside after you've done it once.

[hester802]

Thanks invader, though I didn't use your method to take out the whole lamp assy.

I tired a few more times and have finally figured out how to just take out the sockets to change the light bulbs. In case there are others who are also interested in replacing their license plate lights, I used a pair of pliers to take out the sockets by twisting counter-clockwise (don't use the pliers to hold around the socket but vertical to the socket) and they just popped out. They were really tight and I couldn't twist them using my fingers. Then, simply pull out the light bulbs and replace with new ones. They were a bit tight too so I used a cloth to wrap around the bulbs to take them out.

Just my little experience....