'06 Avalon - Trunk Lid lights

[Mike Murrell]

'06 Avalon(and others) have elect. lights in the lower left and right corners of the trunk lid.

Drivers side bulb is out.

Going thru the owners manual I'm told to not attempt bulb replacement on my own - must take to dealer or car will be damaged.

Popping the trunk lid and raising reveals a single nut on the underside of each trunk lid light cover and a plastic guide pin an inch or two away. Removing the nut does not allow the light cover to be pushed out, nor does pushing in on the guide pin help. A very tight fit. Prying with a screw driver - also tight - did not want to push it.

The underside of trunk lid has a hard-felt panel(7 plastic push-in rivets hold it in place). Coming out of this panel is an emergency release to open trunk should one get trapped in the trunk. I suspected there are some bad marriages in this country; this takes it to a new level.

I don't think this really requires dealer involvement, but I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has dealt with this successfully.

Thanks for your time.

[inov8]

Remove the 13 blind retainers and the aforementioned trunklid trim panel. Preheating the retainers with a hair dryer will reduce breakage, but best to purchase a few spares in advance (theCliplink.com, Lowes's, etc.).

Remove 3 nuts and then then push out the lamp assembly. Disconnect the connector.

The lamp sockets twist counterclockwise 1/4 turn to withdraw and replace the bulbs.

Toyota could have easily designed the trunklid with small access doors in the trim panel. Their competitors have been doing it for more then 20 years. But then Dealer profits would suffer, I suppose.

[Mike Murrell]

inov8 - thanks for your help.

I'll count again - I see 7 plastic rivet type retainers holding the hard felt panel to the trunk lid. You mentioned 13.

I contacted a local dealer this morning that has a good parts dept.

They provided me with the following part number for the plastic rivets that must be removed:

90467-A0006

If this is invalid - I'll update the thread.

[inov8]

I should have been more clear. There should be 6 visible retainers along the edge closest to the rear window, 1 visible retainer in the center, and another 6 "blind" retainers along the edge closest to the rear bumper (similar to the type used for door trim panels).

Another hint . . . back off the 3 nuts just to the end of the studs, and then tap on them with a rubber mallet or piece of wood to free the lamp housing. This will keep the fragile plastic housing from suddenly popping out and falling.

[Mike Murrell]

inov8 - you were actually quite clear; I was quite dense. My apologies. Up to speed now on the blind retainers. I found the 6 you mentioned on the opposite side.

Funny - the part number I mentioned above - 90467-A0006 - that is the part number for the white blind retainers. I suppose I'll be hunting for the the black retainers at Home Depot/Lowe's tomorrow.

If I may ask about the emergency trunk lid release lever handle - t-shaped. Look like it's not going to clear the approx. 1.5" x 1.5" hole. The lever has a tongue that bends down. When I do that - the t-end of the wire is visible. It would seem that I could depress the tongue on the lever and get the t-end of the wire out. Assuming reinstallation would not be too dramatic. Working outside in the dark with a flashlight - will likely wait 'til sunshine is with me.

Thanks again for your time.

[inov8]

Actually I sort of "dropped in" the number 13 without mentioning there were two types of fasteners involved.

Now for the pesky emergency release handle.
This is one of those cases where a golden rule applies . . . someone had to assemble the car with the lowest possible labor content. This means the release cable probably is purchased as an assembly with the handle already attached. So how did they do it?

If you look carefully at the ~square hole in the trim panel, it is actually shaped like a letter "T" with a fat vertical segment and a slot at the top. Measure the maximum width of the hole from one end of the "slot", and compare it to the distance from one tip of the handle to the curved (relieved) portion on the other side. Yes, this is a type of Japanese puzzle. By tilting the handle various ways, it can be passed through the hole. If impatient and/or not particularly into puzzles, you could always use a box cutter to widen the "slot" just a bit. I doubt if anyone will ever notice.

[Mike Murrell]

inov8 - how clever - a Japanse car company employing their own puzzle logic.

Yes I took another look - solid plastic box-shape - I've got some puzzlin' to work on.

Thanks again for your time.