Trying to change out the license plate lights - anyone know how to get to them?
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Canton, MI
'11 E350 4MATIC
u r in luck my friend. I looked tirelessly on bulb replacement instructions and found nothing. I had to blindly maneuver my way around but finally figured it out. I ordered my lights and anxiously went about trying to get to the old lights b4 I even got the new ones. I hope the instructions help. If there are any corrections that anyone may have, please say so as I am no expert. Just someone who was successful with my own DIY methods.
With trunk completely open. Pry and grab a hold of the plastic panel that houses the trunk light and the trunk closing buttons and pull down. This will dislodge the 3 plastic push pins. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise. As I stated “I am an amateur”) Now u will still have to pull the panel towards u to dislodge the panel from the trunk lid. It is being held on by 4 clips. Now unplug the trunk light wire and trunk closing wires. U will now have to remove the the trunk lid liner. It is being held down 6 plastic push pins. I did it by just yanking on the liner. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise.) The liner is also tucked into the arm covers that hinges the trunk lid to the car. To remove this, you will have to remove 2 more plastic push pins. Once the liner is loosened from the trunk lid, u will need to unplug the emergency trunk release wire. Now u should have open access to the back and internal top area of the license plate. If you’re just replacing the bulb, this is as far as u have to go as u now have access. If u are replacing the license plate light housings to one that houses a led light then u will have to remove the plastic plate that encloses the key lock, license plate lights, and the reverse camera. Unplug the license plate wires and the outer electric trunk release wire. The outside plastic plate is being held to the trunk by 3 or 4 white plastic lock pins. I used needle nose pliers to squeeze and push them out. The electric trunk release is attached to the plastic plate. It is being wedged to the trunk lid. It will look like it is a part of the release unit but just grab it and slide it down. It shouldn’t require much force. (Sorry, can’t really describe it) Once slid out of place, the plastic plate and trunk release can be removed. U now have access to the license plate light housings.
I hope this helps. Never created instructions before. It’s harder than I thought it would be.
With trunk completely open. Pry and grab a hold of the plastic panel that houses the trunk light and the trunk closing buttons and pull down. This will dislodge the 3 plastic push pins. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise. As I stated “I am an amateur”) Now u will still have to pull the panel towards u to dislodge the panel from the trunk lid. It is being held on by 4 clips. Now unplug the trunk light wire and trunk closing wires. U will now have to remove the the trunk lid liner. It is being held down 6 plastic push pins. I did it by just yanking on the liner. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise.) The liner is also tucked into the arm covers that hinges the trunk lid to the car. To remove this, you will have to remove 2 more plastic push pins. Once the liner is loosened from the trunk lid, u will need to unplug the emergency trunk release wire. Now u should have open access to the back and internal top area of the license plate. If you’re just replacing the bulb, this is as far as u have to go as u now have access. If u are replacing the license plate light housings to one that houses a led light then u will have to remove the plastic plate that encloses the key lock, license plate lights, and the reverse camera. Unplug the license plate wires and the outer electric trunk release wire. The outside plastic plate is being held to the trunk by 3 or 4 white plastic lock pins. I used needle nose pliers to squeeze and push them out. The electric trunk release is attached to the plastic plate. It is being wedged to the trunk lid. It will look like it is a part of the release unit but just grab it and slide it down. It shouldn’t require much force. (Sorry, can’t really describe it) Once slid out of place, the plastic plate and trunk release can be removed. U now have access to the license plate light housings.
I hope this helps. Never created instructions before. It’s harder than I thought it would be.
Thank you pacOracle for your clear instruction. I received the LED from JBSpeed today and I literally followed your instruction line by line. It took me about 1 hr to complete the job. it needs a leap of faith to pry and pull those clips. I used mini flat screw driver to get my normal size two flat screw drivers underneath the clip and twisted it/ pull it. The good thing, I did not brake any of the clips... yeay....Then the plastic panel was held by the two metal pins... it took some efforts to pull it..The rests, I was getting better and quicker when removing the clips...
Again, Thank you again for you instruction pacOracle. Awesome Forum.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
E350
Ok well it's alittle harder than explained if u have never done anythin like this, I tried to change it out and I felt like I was going to break it, I took it to a local custom shop and they charged me $10 bux to
Change and the guy did it In 10 mins, theres a plastic housing unit behind the whole thing so do not try to yank it out it will break, I dunno $10 is way worth the time and those guys have broken one or two before so they know exactly what to do, change my side marker lights and it was 100 times eaiser than this, I'd recommend take this and get it done by someone whos done it before, it actually really changes the look of the car at night.
Change and the guy did it In 10 mins, theres a plastic housing unit behind the whole thing so do not try to yank it out it will break, I dunno $10 is way worth the time and those guys have broken one or two before so they know exactly what to do, change my side marker lights and it was 100 times eaiser than this, I'd recommend take this and get it done by someone whos done it before, it actually really changes the look of the car at night.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
What LED plate light did you go with (brand)? A shop told me that they'd do it for like $35, which now seems steep compared to what you got it done for.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
E350
Well I provided te LED light the ones shops use are not as bright as the ones you can order, I got mine from eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_5206wt_1135) this is the brightest one you can order. Actually last nite I noticed that the right side wasn't working so I'm gonna take it back to the shop to see if the connection got loose or the LED light burned, I'll let u know before u order, when I said $10 I meant just for installation. Which is still great. Most shops only change ur bulb, I changed the whole unit which is the brightest it's going to get, they just change the bulb to a single stronger one, this is actuall leD light so the difference is huge! I'll keep u updated.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Interesting, yeah failures and such are what I'm worried about as well. It seems ALL the Ebay offerings are TOO bright. I don't want it to distract from my cars styling, or to look ricer-y, I just want a crisp white light. I may just wait until the '12 W212's come out with them, so they'll be available for order via OEM parts dept.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Cool, thanks and I appreciate it! I'm trying to find an aftermarket company that is just the right amount of bright. It seems some go overboard, but please share! Also keep us posted about the malfunction.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Looks good! Seems to not overpower the car in that pic. I've seen some LED lic plate lights that extend all the way to the bumper, which is terrible.
A worthwhile mod. I'll wait 'till the 2012's hit the roads and I probably inevitably get bothered by their LED lic plate lights to do it, lol.
A worthwhile mod. I'll wait 'till the 2012's hit the roads and I probably inevitably get bothered by their LED lic plate lights to do it, lol.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Car looks great! Perfect combo of clean-up mods to enhance it but keep it OEM quality.
I personally love the stand up Star, and especially now that it's exclusive to just the E and S Classes, I plan on keeping it on. I love the view of it from inside the car as well.
I personally love the stand up Star, and especially now that it's exclusive to just the E and S Classes, I plan on keeping it on. I love the view of it from inside the car as well.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
E63 '10
i just did this to my moms e63
thanks for the instructions!
ill post a picture when it gets dark in LA
i just ordered 2 SMD led 2625 bulbs from ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_3149wt_1167
thats the link.
i dont know if ill get in trouble if i do let me know and ill remove it ASAP
thanks for the instructions!
ill post a picture when it gets dark in LA
i just ordered 2 SMD led 2625 bulbs from ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_3149wt_1167
thats the link.
i dont know if ill get in trouble if i do let me know and ill remove it ASAP
....
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento
2019 C43 AMG
Thanks for this post! I just completed my LED License plate install...wish I wouldve of read the whole thread but whatever, I like learning the hard way lol. My hurdle was removing the plastic piece under the chrome trim. I found out after yanking the sides I scratched my paint (should of put a towel, like recommended by other users). Found out theres a bracket that you pull down and away on the back of the trunk handle 
once that was removed it was all down hill from there! The instructions were a great guide and the lights look awesome. If I buy new LEDS or if I need to swap them out, I'll know exactly what to do next time!
once that was removed it was all down hill from there! The instructions were a great guide and the lights look awesome. If I buy new LEDS or if I need to swap them out, I'll know exactly what to do next time!
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento
2019 C43 AMG
u r in luck my friend. I looked tirelessly on bulb replacement instructions and found nothing. I had to blindly maneuver my way around but finally figured it out. I ordered my lights and anxiously went about trying to get to the old lights b4 I even got the new ones. I hope the instructions help. If there are any corrections that anyone may have, please say so as I am no expert. Just someone who was successful with my own DIY methods.
With trunk completely open. Pry and grab a hold of the plastic panel that houses the trunk light and the trunk closing buttons and pull down. This will dislodge the 3 plastic push pins. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise. As I stated “I am an amateur”) Now u will still have to pull the panel towards u to dislodge the panel from the trunk lid. It is being held on by 4 clips. Now unplug the trunk light wire and trunk closing wires. U will now have to remove the the trunk lid liner. It is being held down 6 plastic push pins. I did it by just yanking on the liner. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise.) The liner is also tucked into the arm covers that hinges the trunk lid to the car. To remove this, you will have to remove 2 more plastic push pins. Once the liner is loosened from the trunk lid, u will need to unplug the emergency trunk release wire. Now u should have open access to the back and internal top area of the license plate. If you’re just replacing the bulb, this is as far as u have to go as u now have access. If u are replacing the license plate light housings to one that houses a led light then u will have to remove the plastic plate that encloses the key lock, license plate lights, and the reverse camera. Unplug the license plate wires and the outer electric trunk release wire. The outside plastic plate is being held to the trunk by 3 or 4 white plastic lock pins. I used needle nose pliers to squeeze and push them out. The electric trunk release is attached to the plastic plate. It is being wedged to the trunk lid. It will look like it is a part of the release unit but just grab it and slide it down. It shouldn’t require much force. (Sorry, can’t really describe it) Once slid out of place, the plastic plate and trunk release can be removed. U now have access to the license plate light housings.
I hope this helps. Never created instructions before. It’s harder than I thought it would be.
With trunk completely open. Pry and grab a hold of the plastic panel that houses the trunk light and the trunk closing buttons and pull down. This will dislodge the 3 plastic push pins. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise. As I stated “I am an amateur”) Now u will still have to pull the panel towards u to dislodge the panel from the trunk lid. It is being held on by 4 clips. Now unplug the trunk light wire and trunk closing wires. U will now have to remove the the trunk lid liner. It is being held down 6 plastic push pins. I did it by just yanking on the liner. (If there is a tool or correct procedure to remove the plastic pins please advise.) The liner is also tucked into the arm covers that hinges the trunk lid to the car. To remove this, you will have to remove 2 more plastic push pins. Once the liner is loosened from the trunk lid, u will need to unplug the emergency trunk release wire. Now u should have open access to the back and internal top area of the license plate. If you’re just replacing the bulb, this is as far as u have to go as u now have access. If u are replacing the license plate light housings to one that houses a led light then u will have to remove the plastic plate that encloses the key lock, license plate lights, and the reverse camera. Unplug the license plate wires and the outer electric trunk release wire. The outside plastic plate is being held to the trunk by 3 or 4 white plastic lock pins. I used needle nose pliers to squeeze and push them out. The electric trunk release is attached to the plastic plate. It is being wedged to the trunk lid. It will look like it is a part of the release unit but just grab it and slide it down. It shouldn’t require much force. (Sorry, can’t really describe it) Once slid out of place, the plastic plate and trunk release can be removed. U now have access to the license plate light housings.
I hope this helps. Never created instructions before. It’s harder than I thought it would be.
