Vanity light lamp replacement

Bill Merchant · 06-11-2005, 01:55 AM

Is anybody familiar with how to open the vanity lights in the headliner over the front seats? I'd like to change the bulb to a brighter/whiter one, but I can't figure out how to get to the bulb.

Thanks in advance for your advice. I now know the whole unit doesn't pull out, so if you have any advice about how to make the light assembly tight in the headliner again, I'd love that too.

DanMan32 · 06-13-2005, 02:15 PM

That's an excellent question, as it does not appear to be covered in the owner's manual or the repair manual.

Usually there is a slot on one side of the clear plastic that you can insert a coated slotted screwdriver and pry the cover off. I'll have to take a look myself.

Bill Merchant · 06-14-2005, 12:02 AM

Thanks DanMan. I checked the usual sources and searched this site (is search wonky ir is it just me?) and could find nothing on the vanity lights. I tried slipping a small screwdriver around the edge but could find no pry-points.

It's a small mystery.

V8Cobrakid · 06-14-2005, 12:10 AM

are you refering to the light in the front? with the little reading lights? there is a clear plastic piece.. in the back of it, there are three little notches. put a flat head screwdriver in it.. gently now.. and pull the handle back. it will unclip. do this for all three and it will fall out. it's just barely in there.

i just found this out about a min ago.

Bill Merchant · 06-14-2005, 12:30 AM

I'm not talking about the light cluster in the center of the ceiling, with three lights (dome and two reading{?} lights). I'm talking about the single light and switch that is normally hidden by the visor. If the switch is on and you open the mirror, the light comes on.

V8Cobrakid · 06-14-2005, 12:36 AM

ok.. just checked.. same thing.. but the "hole" is on the front left of it.. so.. flathead in.. pry gently the handle away.. pop.. it comes out

DanMan32 · 06-14-2005, 09:27 AM

Yes, I found the slot. It is left of center on the bottom (toward the windshield). If you put your fingernail into the bottom seam, you'll feel the indentation. It is pretty shallow, would nee a jewler's screwdriver probably.

V8Cobrakid · 06-14-2005, 10:01 AM

i use the flathead on my pocket knife. it has smooth edges.

Bill Merchant · 06-14-2005, 04:26 PM

Thanks for your help, guys. I was able to find the notch in the lens cover and pop it off. I was also able to figure out how to remove the fixture so I could tighten the spring fitting so it is again secure in the headliner.

Now I just need the double-ended bulbs. I'll order them today, now that I see what I need.

Thanks again.

richard schumacher · 06-14-2005, 04:35 PM

Brighter, whiter lamps? Where do you get them? Are they LEDs?

06-11-2005, 01:55 AM	#1
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,925 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 47	Vanity light lamp replacement Is anybody familiar with how to open the vanity lights in the headliner over the front seats? I'd like to change the bulb to a brighter/whiter one, but I can't figure out how to get to the bulb. Thanks in advance for your advice. I now know the whole unit doesn't pull out, so if you have any advice about how to make the light assembly tight in the headliner again, I'd love that too.

06-14-2005, 12:02 AM	#3
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,925 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 47	Re: Vanity light lamp replacement Thanks DanMan. I checked the usual sources and searched this site (is search wonky ir is it just me?) and could find nothing on the vanity lights. I tried slipping a small screwdriver around the edge but could find no pry-points. It's a small mystery.

06-14-2005, 12:30 AM	#5
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,925 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 47	Re: Vanity light lamp replacement I'm not talking about the light cluster in the center of the ceiling, with three lights (dome and two reading{?} lights). I'm talking about the single light and switch that is normally hidden by the visor. If the switch is on and you open the mirror, the light comes on.

06-14-2005, 04:26 PM	#9
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,925 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 47	Re: Vanity light lamp replacement Thanks for your help, guys. I was able to find the notch in the lens cover and pop it off. I was also able to figure out how to remove the fixture so I could tighten the spring fitting so it is again secure in the headliner. Now I just need the double-ended bulbs. I'll order them today, now that I see what I need. Thanks again.

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06-13-2005, 02:15 PM	#2
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That's an excellent question, as it does not appear to be covered in the owner's manual or the repair manual. Usually there is a slot on one side of the clear plastic that you can insert a coated slotted screwdriver and pry the cover off. I'll have to take a look myself.

06-14-2005, 12:10 AM	#4
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,438 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	are you refering to the light in the front? with the little reading lights? there is a clear plastic piece.. in the back of it, there are three little notches. put a flat head screwdriver in it.. gently now.. and pull the handle back. it will unclip. do this for all three and it will fall out. it's just barely in there. i just found this out about a min ago.

06-14-2005, 12:36 AM	#6
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,438 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	ok.. just checked.. same thing.. but the "hole" is on the front left of it.. so.. flathead in.. pry gently the handle away.. pop.. it comes out

06-14-2005, 09:27 AM	#7
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes, I found the slot. It is left of center on the bottom (toward the windshield). If you put your fingernail into the bottom seam, you'll feel the indentation. It is pretty shallow, would nee a jewler's screwdriver probably.

06-14-2005, 10:01 AM	#8
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,438 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	i use the flathead on my pocket knife. it has smooth edges.

06-14-2005, 04:35 PM	#10
richard schumacher ichorous liquor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,888 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Brighter, whiter lamps? Where do you get them? Are they LEDs?