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How To: Change License Plate Bulbs (Video)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by usbseawolf2000, Oct 30, 2008.

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  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I made a video to assist in removing the hatch interior plastic panel to get to the license plate bulbs. I hope many find this useful because it was not very easy to do it with just one hand while holding a camera.

    I ordered a new pair (again from Warden_JP) of these wedge type LED bulbs for my license plate. My old pair for some reason have different color temp. One was more blue than the other.

    Sorry, if it is too hard to hear me. I turned up my Metallica too loud. :rockon:

     
    #1 usbseawolf2000, Oct 30, 2008
    ebxgsxr, HybridMario, diomedes05 and 8 others like this.
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    *Moved to Knowledge Base with Link*
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Nov 1, 2008
  3. VipAutoSalon

    VipAutoSalon Pursuing Perfection

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    Great post!
     
    #3 VipAutoSalon, Nov 12, 2008
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Thanks for providing a preview of what to expect.

    I've been procrastinating with the replacement of one of my bulbs... knowing it could take an entire afternoon to capture enough good photos for a proper writeup.

    .
     
    #4 john1701a, Nov 12, 2008
  5. Watdawg

    Watdawg New Member

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    Very Helpful!!! I only broke one clip and the video helped tremendously! Thanks Again.
     
    #5 Watdawg, Jan 25, 2010
  6. kbdb61

    kbdb61 New Member

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    Thanks so much, your video gave me confidence to try replacing the bulbs on my own.
     
    #6 kbdb61, Feb 15, 2010
  7. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    i see a name.. but no link or contact information of how i can get these LED bulbs... i guess i could go to a local shop and test my luck....
     
    #7 V8Cobrakid, Apr 26, 2010
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Search in the seller's name on ebay. Posting the link to the auction is not good because it expires.
     
    #8 usbseawolf2000, Apr 26, 2010
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I don't see why not. I am not changing License plate number or anything, simply the light bulb. If the original one died, I would have to replace it too.
     
    #9 usbseawolf2000, Oct 20, 2010
  10. Xapplimatic

    Xapplimatic Intermediate level elect. tech

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    Best place to get good quality BRIGHT LED replacements:
    energyspeed... that's the website address but I can't put the part before or after that cause I'm too green in the forum.. lol but you know how most addresses start and end.. so it shouldn't be hard to find it.

    You can look your Prius up by year and it will tell you which bulbs go where...
     
    #10 Xapplimatic, Nov 11, 2010
  11. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Whew I had another nightmare last night that my bulbs burnt out and I had to do this all over again.
     
    #11 macmaster05, Feb 26, 2011
  12. charlietokowitz

    charlietokowitz New Member

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    How are you supposed to pull the bulb housings out once you've removed the panel?

    I pried the panel out (and i'm not sure how in hell it's going to stay in again) and spent fifteen minutes squeezing the housings and trying to rotate them counterclockwise and then pull. I even used pliers. No such luck. What's the trick? I don't want to break anything!

    Charlie
     
    #12 charlietokowitz, Mar 21, 2011
  13. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    It is CC facing the rear of the car (sit in the hatch and face rear).
     
    #13 usbseawolf2000, Mar 22, 2011
  14. charlietokowitz

    charlietokowitz New Member

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    Yessir. I tried to do it from the angle of sitting off the edge of the trunk.
     
    #14 charlietokowitz, Mar 22, 2011
  15. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    And this is called progress! Holly crap what a rigama roll to change tail light bulb.Weird looking bulbs as well. In the old days it was so simple.Oh well it still has a wire going to it, witch surprises me! Hal
     
    #15 Hal W, Mar 22, 2011
  16. lloemm

    lloemm Junior Member

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    I'm having the same problem. i tried pliers and wrenches, and turning in all directions but mine will not let go. i have one burned out and I'm not really wanting to get any type of ticket for it...

    any advice?
     
    #16 lloemm, Oct 31, 2011
  17. talonts

    talonts VFAQman

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    Grab the socket, push it AGAINST the housing, turn CCW 1/8 turn or so, then pull. It should pop right out.
     
    #17 talonts, Nov 1, 2011
  18. lloemm

    lloemm Junior Member

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    Thanks! I'll try it today
     
    #18 lloemm, Nov 1, 2011
  19. kyrkbymannen

    kyrkbymannen Junior Member

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    Thanks for posting this. I went crazy about this swedish prius, how to remove the plastic cover to get to the plate lights.
    It said in the manual "remove cover" and nothing more, impossible to know how to, and the solution was pure force! :)
     
    #19 kyrkbymannen, Nov 21, 2011
  20. kyrkbymannen

    kyrkbymannen Junior Member

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    You have to use force to "screw" them a quarter out.
    I managed to break one of mine, which is now fastened with duct tape.. but led turned out nice! :)
     
    #20 kyrkbymannen, Nov 21, 2011
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