Any tricks to changing a rear marker light?

[Mark Rose]

I've got a bulb out on my 2007 Optra 5, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to get at the rear marker light. Has anyone changed one before? I don't want to break anything by doing anything stupid.

[ShadowDog]

Unless someone can mention the easy method, I was afraid of breaking my lamp housing by trying to get it out of the bumper cover... so in the end, I'll tell you one thing... it's a complete PAIN IN THE ASS!

Literally today, I just replaced the bulbs with an LED equivalent because I NEVER want to have to do it again. Basically, here's the rundown:

- Attempting to remove the lens housing is difficult due to a metal clip on the inside of the bumper cover preventing it from coming out. I'm sure you noticed that black plastic shroud directly opposite the lens housing inside the bumper cover. That's the outside of the ventilation port; remember this as I'll need to bring it up again in a moment.

- You will need to open your hatch and remove the spare tire cover panel. You will now have to pull the side coverings on each side to gain access. Each side is held by two plastic push pins and two phillips screws (one on top along the plastic panel and the other below into the steel trunk body). After removing these fasteners, you'll have to gently pry the covering down below the plastic panel and gently peel it toward the cabin. I emphasize the word "gently". Be aware that on the driver's side there is a wire connecting the trunk interior light. You'll have to pull the wire off the connector to continue pulling the covering farther.

- With the panel out of the way, you will notice a square port with a thin plastic grate covering rubber flaps. This is the ventilation port I spoke of earlier. You can try pressing the flanges and pushing the port into the quarter panel; however, it will now butt-up against the bumper-cover light housing you are trying to gain access to. Quite the stupid engineering feat isn't it?

What did I do? I snipped away some of the plastic grate at the center of the ventilation port; enough to get two fingers past the rubber flaps to grasp the light socket and twist it free of the lamp housing.

THEN I REPLACED THE DAMNED LIGHT WITH AN LED EQUIVALENT SO I NEVER HAVE TO DO THIS STUPID THING AGAIN!!!

[Mark Rose]

Thanks for the advice!! I gave up after half an hour. And the GM service manual is useless, too! It covers all the other lights.

After having this car for two years, I can't say it's won any affection from me.

[ShadowDog]

Wait until you have to replace a front corner signal lamp. You'll discover words coming out of your mouth you might have thought you would never say!!!

[Mark Rose]

Originally Posted by ShadowDog

Wait until you have to replace a front corner signal lamp. You'll discover words coming out of your mouth you might have thought you would never say!!!

I should have saved my pennies for a i335

The one thing I do like about my car is that it has no problem pulling a 2000 lb trailer up hill.

[7-even]

you should have either gone up under the car and done it from behind the bumper (possible i believe on tghe reno) or just poped the light out of the bumper and replaced it

[ShadowDog]

Originally Posted by 7-even

you should have either gone up under the car and done it from behind the bumper (possible i believe on tghe reno) or just poped the light out of the bumper and replaced it

Can't do it underneath because the ventilation port is directly over it with only 1/2" clearance to work with.

Can't pop the lens housing out of the bumper easily because the metal clip holding it in place from behind the bumper cover is too difficult to access because of said ventilation port. When I attempted this, I nearly put the screwdriver through the bumper cover with how much force the clips on the lens cover needed to free it. It just wouldn't give and I didn't want to break the damned thing.