Trying to change out the license plate lights - anyone know how to get to them?
12-01-2009, 12:44 PM
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2020 G63
Trying to change out the license plate lights - anyone know how to get to them?
I bought some LED license plate lights to ditch the halogens, but I am having trouble figuring out how to access the lights themselves.
It looks like I am going to have to remove the trunk lid liner, but the fasteners aren't hex screws - they look like plastic clips that may or may not survive the process. Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks in advance!
It looks like I am going to have to remove the trunk lid liner, but the fasteners aren't hex screws - they look like plastic clips that may or may not survive the process. Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks in advance!
12-07-2009, 03:16 AM
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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.
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12-09-2009, 12:34 PM
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12-12-2009, 08:17 PM
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2010 E350 Sedan
Thanks for the post pacOracle. I just changed mine out. Your directions were perfect. I would not have attempted it without them. Thanks for taking the time to write them out. The lights look awesome, by the way. (purchased them from eBay)
12-13-2009, 12:33 AM
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No prob Steve. I'm glad I was of some assistance. I woulda included pix but didn't want to go through the entire process again. Going in too many times could stress the clips and pins and could ultimately cause future squeaking or noises.
03-30-2010, 08:44 PM
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MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Good write-up... bit of a pain in the butt to get everything apart, but worth it in the end.
A suggestion I would add - remove the license plate and put some masking tape around the black plastic above the plate to prevent scratches.
A suggestion I would add - remove the license plate and put some masking tape around the black plastic above the plate to prevent scratches.
03-31-2010, 11:26 AM
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The pure white looks much nicer than the yellow. With the rear being LEDs, it pulls everything together.
Also IMO it doesn't make the plate "more noticeable" - if anything, the LEDs are so bright they wash the plate out. And besides, who am I hiding my plate from? I'm not planning on getting into any high-speed chases in a 268hp family sedan.
Also IMO it doesn't make the plate "more noticeable" - if anything, the LEDs are so bright they wash the plate out. And besides, who am I hiding my plate from? I'm not planning on getting into any high-speed chases in a 268hp family sedan.
04-10-2010, 08:21 PM
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Just to make the instruction abit clearer
You would first work with the inside of the trunk and after you are behind the carpet then you try and take out the housing for the trunk lever (used to open the trunk)
04-10-2010, 08:25 PM
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MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Another unintended bonus to this mod - the rear view camera works even better at night!
04-17-2010, 10:51 AM
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04-17-2010, 01:17 PM
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05-18-2010, 01:50 AM
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07 CLK 350 gone...... 10 E350
question....
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.
So I got my LED and saw this post and was trying to do...... but 2 questions..... How can I take out plastic part which wraps push close and lock button housing in bottom of the bumber? I did took out 3 push pins from plastic housing....
Second.... How can I remove plastic holding lights to bumper... It looks like it's hold by 3 or 4 white plastic fastner as well... I didn't get clear view do to bottom plastic part not coming off and have partial view by kind of folding trunk liner. Please help!!!!
11-03-2010, 09:59 PM
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'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
11-03-2010, 10:31 PM
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