How to take out the socket of the licence plate light to replace a bulb?

[romualds]

I got off the liftgate cover and can reach the socket, but can't get it out. I tried to turn the socket, but without success. What should I do to get it out?

Edit: 2004 Sienna LE

[romualds]

Hey! Haven't anyone replaced licence plate bulbs?

[2006SiennaLE]

Apparently not since the 2004 models
On my Ford Contour, I had to use a screw driver to pry out the frame and lens before I got to the tube-light looking bulb.
Just be careful that the plastic gets brittle over the years and is prone to cracking.
Not sure if it applies to the Sienna.

Good luck

[2006SiennaLE]

Here's some help:

[romualds]

Thank you 2006SiennaLE!

I've already read this part of Repair Manual, but wanted to avoid remove the outside garnish. In the Owners Manual appears that the light socket can be taken out separately, but I can't understand how

I'll take "Plan B" and will remove all the garnish to put it on my desk and see what to do with it.

May be it is a reason to replace the bulbs with LED ones to forget about them "forever"? Who knows the brand/model of LED bulb usable as the direct replacement?

From the other side -- if a bulb is burn out after five years, replacing the both of them could help to forget about them for another five years.

[topspy]

One thing that is interesting IME with car light bulbs....often times the SAME side will keep burning out before you have to replace the other side.

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

[romualds]

One thing that is interesting IME with car light bulbs....often times the SAME side will keep burning out before you have to replace the other side.

May be. But, according Murphy's law, if you replace only one bulb, a possibility that other one will burn out soon, depends on how hard is to replace it

[romualds]

Today I found out how to take out the socket. It have to be turned counterclockwise for about 30-45 degrees. Nothing to press and none other tricks to do.

It was very hard the first time to turn the socket and it was a reason I was afraid to break something. I removed the outside garnish as shown in 2006SiennaLE post above to see how to do this job.

[topspy]

ahhhhh, yes....the ol' twist-and-pull trick....thanks!
Maybe I'll get around to replacing one of mine now too. 8)

[romualds]

Replace both of them. If one is out the second one will follow soon.

[sunnygator]

I replaced both tag lights today....and they were harder to turn than I thought....but they do turn about 30-40 degrees and then pull out.

And since I had the panel off the tailgate, I replaced the running lights too. They also turn and pull out. My Sienna is six years old, so I don't really want to do this again for another six years.

sunnygator

[topspy]

I happened to need to replace BOTH bulbs for rear taillight (on the hatch) AND a license plate light for my 2004 XLE Ltd. I did both from the inside via removal of the rear hatch panel.

Here are my comments...

How to replace Parking Light in the Rear?
http://siennachat.com/forum/index.ph....html#msg15151

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

[steelcity]

Help I can not get my lens out .I could get the one end loose with a screw driver but nothing else would move. I am trying to change the license plate bulbs,does anyone know how these come out ?Thanks in advance

[94dlx]

You need to remove the interior panel off the liftgate.

[steelcity]

You need to remove the interior panel off the liftgate.

What a pain,I thought that you could remove the lens from the outside??