Need to remove the panel on the back door so I can reattach the light frame above the license plate. How do I do this as the holders seem really tight. Do I break them and then replace them?

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.

On my 99 Tracker, one of the cover lenses was missing, so I could see one of the bulbs. it just pulls out on mine... if you can get a good hold on it. I didn't have much luck inserting a new one though.. .it's cramped. Someone suggested that the lights might be on a removable assembly under the handle cowl. I'll try that tomorrow. The lense cover on the other light looks like it should screw off, but I can't get a hold of it. ...As for reaching under the "back bumper", I don't see how that could help, as my License holder is on the back door. In the worst case I'll be pulling the inside panel on the back door and removing the license holder to get at the bulbs... I'm putting LEDs in, so I never have to do this again! You gotta love these foreign jobs...

Hi there,

Firstly, remove the four screws on the bottom of the license plate light assembly using a Phillips screwdriver. Then pull the license plate light cover out away from the rear of the car. Pull the bulb forward and pull it straight out of the wiring socket.

A press the new bulb into place until it is secure. Push the bulb and wiring assembly back up inside the light assembly and replace the license plate light cover. Replace the four screws that secure the light cover and tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver. Finally, turn on the lights to test the new bulb.

Hope this helps...

Rust is very common for this part, but you don't have to match the original OEM holder to pass inspection and have functioning license plate light. You can use an aftermarket bulb and bulb holder and attach the holder for the tag light with a metal strap, wire, or even use some trim adhesive and glue to the outside area if the new light holder is not too heavy. Ask at the Auto Parts store and they can give you solutions regarding mounting options for the new bulb and holder or even to reattach your old one in a new way.

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

there are clips on the side of the bulb holders that squeeze together then push out to reveal the bulb holder. you can locate these by opening the boot lid, and on most mosels removing the plastic surround. you can then see the holders inside. just hold finger and thumb at each end and gently squeeze the clips and push out the holder to replace buls

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 .

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

Remove license plate, remove screws and detach license plate pocket assembly. Rotate bulb holder, pull bulb straight out and replace.

It was really not hard at all. First you have to remove two phillips head screws from behind the door handle and four more from around the outer surface of the door panel. Then I took a flat nail remover bar (very handy when you have nails driven into wood that you want to remove) and slipped it between the bottom edges of the door panel and located/popped aloose the securing plastic inserts around the outer edges. Then with gentle force lifted the door panel from the bottom upward to pop aloose the upper inserts. Then you have to gently lift up the left upper portion nearest the window (which should be lowered) that has the door lock plunger comming through it, from the door frame. When this is done, the one screw that secures the speaker frame is exposed. Once the screw is removed the speaker frame will slide to the left and off of the door thereby exposing the four mirror securing nuts. One of the nuts is located behind a round piece of glued on clear plastic. Once the mirror is removed and repaired/replaced just reverse the process above to reattach the speaker frame and door panel. Care needs to be taken when getting the door lock plunger and door handle reinserted into the door panel then carefully locating the plastic insert tips with the holes in the door frame. You can gently shove the inserts into their respective holes with the heel of your hand or fist and reattach with the six screws.