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Wasn't able to find any other posts related to my current issue... but hoping the collective wisdom here can help me out!
An insect somehow got into the small light at the top of my car's driver side A pillar:
I managed to get the cover off but it seems I might need to remove the entire A pillar trim to figure out how to take apart the bulb housing?
Before I start trying to take the car apart, wondering if anyone else has already dealt with this or might have advice on how to most easily get it out...?
Or maybe I'll just have to live with it and be reminded of the dinosaur DNA extracted from the insect in amber from Jurassic Park every time I see it?
Hey Joe! Thanks for your help with the production numbers a few weeks back! Found a car that checked most of the boxes and getting it dialed in now.
One of the first things I tried but I couldn't find a way to get the air into the bulb housing from behind... the front side is pretty sealed up and I'm not sure if the plastic cover comes off and I didn't want to risk breaking it...
Originally Posted by streborx
Every once in a while, one of these critters escapes from the ECU software (lol).
This guy is a plant from the movie “Final Destination”.
He was destined for your windshield, and illegitimately avoided his destiny, so your light lens is his eternal punishment.
How about an adhesive cover that you can peel off when you need to use that light, and leave on so that when you don’t need the light, you will never have to be reminded of your “dark passenger” to quote another classic show.
Hoping either of them see this post and can chime in!
Originally Posted by MB2timer
This guy is a plant from the movie “Final Destination”.
He was destined for your windshield, and illegitimately avoided his destiny, so your light lens is his eternal punishment.
How about an adhesive cover that you can peel off when you need to use that light, and leave on so that when you don’t need the light, you will never have to be reminded of your “dark passenger” to quote another classic show.
Ha! I will just have to live with having an unwanted guest tag along everywhere I go until I figure out how to evict him!
Those LED’s are typically replaced as an assembly. (you can get them for $25 on eBay btw)
It looks like the part itself is vented in the back and a couple of slots in front (up top and long one on bottom)
Easiest approach:
So if a bug got in, chances are you can spray some office “dust off” in there and it should come out. If you have a compressor, that would probably work if you need more pressure. Not sure if that lens pops off or is glued on as they’re LED’s, so typically they’re replaced as an assembly. It’s probably glued in.
But think air is pretty easy first step.
Last resort, you may have to remove the part to get air in the back slots with a compressor.
Good Luck.
Last edited by crconsulting; Nov 19, 2025 at 06:42 PM.
@crconsulting
Thanks for the photos of what the assembly looks like when pulled out!
The circles in the first picture are where the cover trim clips into. I tried blowing air into it from the front (while still dangling inside the A pillar) but no luck so far.
Would you happen to have any guidance on how to get the LED assembly out of the interior A pillar? I'm afraid of breaking clips if I just try to pull it off and there is a specific way it is supposed to come off...
This should help,
see attached WIS section and image of the back of panel.
Those clips can break, so pry gently. They should be available separately though.
You can see once you get it off you have pretty good access to the back. Probably how it got in.
Good Luck
Last edited by crconsulting; Nov 20, 2025 at 03:12 PM.
Success!! Was able to pull the A pillar trim off following the instructions and some compressed air and some shaking cleared the insect from the light housing!
Unfortunately, did manage to break the black clip that is closer to the center overhead control panel... but a little bit of superglue and some time to cure and I'll have it back together shortly.
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