2009 - Hatchback - Rear Light Assembly Removal for Bulb Change

-Remove the 2 screws on the inboard portion of the lamp assembly (See IMG_7088).[attachment=1:ecrlt2y8]IMG_7088_ed.jpg[/attachment:ecrlt2y8] Outboard area is still secured by 2 friction-fit posts (one on top and one on bottom of assebly). These do NOT need to be hammered/removed on this year and model! Do not try!
-Gently rock the lamp assembly back and forth, up and down to get a feel for its limits - BE CAREFUL, or you'll break the afformentioned plastic posts!
-Rocking with a slight pull STRAIGHT back will loosen the assembly a bit...
-When ready, pull straight back (NO sideways OR up/down motion). The posts will let go! Don't let this motion go too far, or you may damage the wiring harnesses.[attachment=0:ecrlt2y8]IMG_7089_ed.jpg[/attachment:ecrlt2y8]

Changing bulbs is easy - bayonet sockets...

Putting this all back together - simply press assebly into place, then re-screw the hex-head screws (or Phillips heads).

Please let me know if this helps you...

Good luck!

Seems like it's pretty much the same as on earlier year models... Except for the shape of the bottom of the light is different and the sockets screw into different spots.

Thanks for posting that, JRamage.

I know from experience those friction fit posts can cause problems if people aren't expecting them (crack!).

Thanks for the replies, you two.. I am new to this forum (or, ANY forum) and thought maybe some of you had already figured it out (how to do the brake light assembly). I Googled this one many times and found variations (wrong year, sedan, etc) - not my own model and year, so thought I'd pass it along, hoping it'll help some other poor 'sap', like me...

I'm terrible with cars, but choose to do my own SMALL repairs. I can see I'll be returning here a fair bunch, looking up how to repair this/that, as I can't even find a Chilton's or other for this model and year. Hmmm...

Jamie

i had a fit on the headlights and tailights, didnt break anything though

thanks Jamie, I havent had to change a bulb yet, but knowing this, will definitely help.
:)

Thanks a lot for the post. I have tried to pull and pull..., the light never came out.
I will follow your instruction and try again. hope i can make it.

The big secret is - pull STRAIGHT!!

Good luck!

JR

I broke the tabs on my light, even though I knew they were there. #-o Luckily I have a back up pair of tails in my shed, so if it proves to be a problem I can just switch em out

on the stock ones i changed i also broke one of the tabs off, the thing would not come out lol

yeah, I almost had the damn thing out and it just wouldnt pop out the rest of the way. Oh well, duct tape fixes everything :D which reminds me, I wish I still had the pics of my old truck, I got bored one day and put duct tape racing stripes on it.

I spent half hour to pull the lights out. Thanks your great info JRamage.

I changed a bulb using your instructions this evening. Thanks JRamage for making this post, they worked great!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kalos Princess

thanks Jamie, I havent had to change a bulb yet, but knowing this, will definitely help.
:)

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I have the same car as yours, same year, same color.

Both brake lights burned out within the first year. They are not covered under the "bumper to bumper" BS warranty.

The factory ones are cheap, poor quality bulbs. They are easy to change. No big deal.