How do you replace the license plate bulb? Looks like it's buried in the molding running across the entire back door and don't want to snap it off.

The license plate lamps are designed to illuminate the plate and registration tags on your vehicle and make it easily visible to law enforcement. In many states, a burnt out license plate bulb can get you a ticket.
Step 1: Locate the license plate light. The license plate light is located right above the plate.
Step 2: Determine which bulb has failed. Park your vehicle and set the emergency brake. Turn the ignition to the Accessory position and turn on the driving lights. Walk around the vehicle to determine which license plate bulb has failed.
Step 3: Remove the license plate light cover. Remove the license plate light cover retaining screws using a screwdriver.
Remove the license plate light cover.

• Note: You may need to use a small screwdriver to pry the cover off.

Step 4: Remove the bulb. Remove the bulb from its retainer.
Part 2 of 2: Install the bulb Materials Needed

• Protective gloves
• Replacement license plate light bulb
• Safety glasses
• Screwdriver

Step 1: Install the new bulb. Install the new bulb in its retainer and ensure it is in place.

• Tip: Refer to your car's user manual to determine the correct type of light bulb to get for your specific vehicle.

Step 2: Complete the installation. Put back the license plate light cover and hold it in place.
Install the license plate light cover retaining screws and tighten them using a screwdriver.
Step 3: Check the lights. Turn on your car to check if your license plate lights are fully functional.

I have a 2008 Equinox and it was a hassle to do on mine. The manual talks about removing 2 screws from the outside to remove the cover on each bulb. I was unable to get the old bulbs out. I then removed the plastic molding from the inside and the light sockets twist and pull out. The bulbs are easy to remove and replace then. The plastic panel inside just snaps out at several places. I had to loosen the back wiper motor
to get to one of them.

can you rich from trunk,maybe has clips.

The lenses cover & the lenses housing snap in to place. There are plastic tabs on the sides of each.
Directions: Remove the license plate light housing, and disconnect the 2P connector from the light. Remove the lens from the light, and then replace the bulb. Install the light in the reverse order of removal.

License Plate Lamp Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Remove the luggage compartment lock cylinder.
2. Remove the luggage compartment door garnish molding.
3. Release the retainers and remove the license plate lamp assembly.
4. Disconnect the harness electrical connector.

To Install:

1. Connect the harness electrical connector.
2. Engage the retainers and install the license plate lamp assembly.
3. Install the luggage compartment door garnish molding.
4. Install the luggage compartment lock cylinder.

Hi,
First you have to take out the one and only screw in the rear hatch door - it's where the hand pull down is you use to close the hatch.
Then you have to pop all the plastic clips all the way around the plastic door panel, trying not to pull them out from the frame . If you do pull out the white plastic plugs from the frame you better make certain you take them off the plastic housing and insert them back into their frame holes - or you will never get the housing back on.

Once you have the housing loose disconnect the inside tail gate light wire to remove the whole thing. Then you have to remove 7 to 8 nuts from the back of entire License plate, back up bulb housing using a deep socket to get in there. Work it loose from the rear of the car and it will come out just enough to work on the lights.
This is tricky since the screw mounts don't give you much room to work with.

Once you have the license plate and back up bulb frame loose you will see the two housings for the license plate bulbs on top.

Slide out the license plate bulb lens and twist the bulb connection to remove the bulbs.
Replace both of them - you don't want to do this again in a month when the other one blows.

OPTIONAL:
Once you take out the bulbs you might see that the housing is melted where the bulb wanted to burn through. Drill two small holes one is each end of the housing before I put everything back together to release some of the heat.

Reverse the whole process to put everything back together. It's not easy.
Make sure you insert the cables through the opening for the hatch handle or it will kink and not work properly.

The bulbs come in a two pack of cost $4.95 .

Take care

First you have to take out the one and only screw in the rear hatch door - it's where the hand pull down is you use to close the hatch.
Then you have to pop all the plastic clips all the way around the plastic door panel, trying not to pull them out from the frame . If you do pull out the white plastic plugs from the frame you better make certain you take them off the plastic housing and insert them back into their frame holes - or you will never get the housing back on.

Once you have the housing loose disconnect the inside tail gate light wire to remove the whole thing. Then you have to remove 7 to 8 nuts from the back of entire License plate, back up bulb housing using a deep socket to get in there. Work it loose from the rear of the car and it will come out just enough to work on the lights.
This is tricky since the screw mounts don't give you much room to work with.

Once you have the license plate and back up bulb frame loose you will see the two housings for the license plate bulbs on top.

Slide out the license plate bulb lens and twist the bulb connection to remove the bulbs.
Replace both of them - you don't want to do this again in a month when the other one blows.

OPTIONAL:
Once you take out the bulbs you might see that the housing is melted where the bulb wanted to burn through. Drill two small holes one is each end of the housing before I put everything back together to release some of the heat.

Reverse the whole process to put everything back together. It's not easy.
Make sure you insert the cables through the opening for the hatch handle or it will kink and not work properly.

The bulbs come in a two pack of cost $4.95 .

You should have two license plate lights, right above the license plate. If you remove the two screws that hold the one you want to change in, the entire fixture will drop down(best to do this with the trunk open). Remove the metal clip plate that covers the bulb. The bulb SHOULD simply pull directly out.
Hope this helps you.

First chk. all fuses and bulbs. There is a backup light switch under dash either on steering colume or someplace close. plate lights should be hooked in with running lights, If bulbs are ok chk for wire unhooked or bad ground. can't help on diagram.

if your talking about the molding that is the molding above the license plate you need to take off inside trim there are screw in near the door handle inside tak those out and pop off the panel and then you can bolt those loose bolt back up. Please rate my response thank you very much