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How to change licence plate lights

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tinke, Jul 12, 2020.

  1. Tinke

    Tinke New Member

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    I would like to replace my license plate OEM lights / bulps to LED. All interior lights was easy to change by following the youtube video (youtu.be/n4nU2KAQUi4)

    I cannot find any clear instruction or DIY videos from Youtube regarding to Gen4 Prius and license plate lights.

    It seems that it is necessary to disassembly the whole tale panel with license plate lights and reverse camera etc..

    Does anyone know better?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 Tinke, Jul 12, 2020
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The Gen 4 licence plate lights should be cool white LED from the factory. Take a look yourself.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jul 12, 2020
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah see this, in 2016 North American Owner's Manual:

    upload_2020-7-12_12-41-13.png
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jul 12, 2020
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  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    If you modify any lighting on a car, check that it still complies with Design Rule Approvals.
     
    #4 alanclarkeau, Jul 13, 2020
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The rules are a little more lax in North America. Yes they should meet specifications but there's practically no check on that.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jul 13, 2020
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  6. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    Until you get pulled over by a cop for illegal lights. Anything other than white/amber will do it. I really hate the modders that change their colors to something GOD AWFUL.
     
    #6 CooCooCaChoo, Jul 13, 2020
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  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I wasn't even thinking different coloured lights - I was thinking it wouldn't be bright enough but yes that's problematic as well.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Jul 13, 2020
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  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I only know of one who was pulled over - his were too bright, stupidly bright - which I agreed with. The bulb didn't shine out, but the licence plate & recess was excessively bright - I imagine could be seen from space.
     
    #8 alanclarkeau, Jul 13, 2020
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  9. Tinke

    Tinke New Member

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    Thank you to point this out. Here in Finland it is sooo bright also in the evenings at this time of the year that it is hard to noticed.

    The interior lights change to LED (incl. door lights) make already huge difference to the look. Will be nice when the evenings turn to pitch black again in autumn. The OEM yellowish bulbs were simply not good enough for this car style :cool:.
     
    #9 Tinke, Jul 18, 2020
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    No prob. Yeah the daylight would make it hard to see haha.

    Nicely done. I’ve been meaning to change the interior bulbs as well. On my Gen 3, I had the door courtesy lights changed to red LEDs which contrasted nicely with the blue PRIUS and HSD illuminated door sill scuff plates. I changed the cargo light to “natural white” LED for additional brightness.

    Thus far, my Prius PHV is stock :(
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Jul 18, 2020
  11. chinarut

    chinarut Junior Member

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    I see we've gone off topic a bit but I can say I just changed all my interior lights too :)

    I saw another post in the Prime forums saying they are intended to last a lifetime so you don't change bulbs - you change the whole assembly.

    is this also true of the 2019 LE?
     
    #11 chinarut, Sep 28, 2023
  12. chinarut

    chinarut Junior Member

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    I found a more recent thread pointing to part 81270-33110.

    I assume to change the lights, you get out the trusty trim tools & take the whole cover off the hatch?
     
    #12 chinarut, Sep 28, 2023
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