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Step-By-Step Instructions:Removing Rear Brake Light / Access To Turn Signal
I thought I'd create this thread for all those that need pictures describing how to remove the rear brake lights and gain access to the rear turn signals. (Please note these instructions will only give you access to the turn signal bulbs, you will not be able to remove the entire turn signal. The entire bumper has to be removed in order to remove the entire turn signal.)
This past weekend I had to re-seat the turn signal after it was popped out of place by someone backing into my car. With the help of some forum members I was able to get some good pointers on where to start. Mods feel free to make this a sticky if it hasn't already been done.
P.S. Thanks Reptile 718 & Wired 24/7
Quote:
Originally Posted by reptile718
You must remove the three round plastic tabs that are located on top of each tail light (flathead screwdriver). Note: These are only viewable when the hatch is open.
The 3 screws are removed with a 10mm socket.
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Next step is to remove the rear brake light assemble.
Quote:
Originally Posted by reptile718
You must be carefully when removing the tail light, there are two tabs located inside the light which hold it locked in place. Once you have removed the bolts under the plastic tabs push the light out to the side to pop the tabs out of place, if you move upward you will end up breaking the plastic tabs.
Stick your finger in the corner(refer to picture) to loosen up the assemble from the frame, but don't lift the entire assemble up. You'll have to slide the assemble out sideways. I've enclosed some pictures that show the little plastic tabs that will break if you lift up on the assemble too hard, instead of sliding it out sideways.(Note: the tabs slide into the little plastic grommets)
After the brake light assembly is removed, you can disconnect the bulb assemblies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wired 24/7
Just an FYI, when you are removing your rear turn signal bulbs, all the wiring harnesses work the same way. (You can practice on the brake light harness). About 1/4 turn gets them loose, then you can pull the harness + bulb right out.
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Sponsored by Meguiar's, Imported Performance www.teamnextstage.com Team DNF n00bslayer & eater of children............................................................ ...............
With the brake light assembly removed you can look down behind the turn signal assembly. This will give you access to the turn signal bulbs. (Note: the turn signal harness has the little green wire.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by wired 24/7
BE CAREFUL PULLING THE TURN SIGNAL HARNESSES OUT. Some aftermarket turn signal bulbs do NOT have the best fitment ever. The "all-glass" style bulb (stock) fits much better than the aftermarket "glass + plastic base" type. I accidentally dropped an aftermarket bulb inside the turn signal housing before...
Quote:
Originally Posted by reptile718
I put my silver bulbs in last week and I agree, not the best figment, you have to really push them in and wait for a click before putting them into the housing, I realized this after having already doing the first front light now it is loose and will hyper blink every once in a while
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Sponsored by Meguiar's, Imported Performance www.teamnextstage.com Team DNF n00bslayer & eater of children............................................................ ...............
Guys, I accidentally dropped one of my turn signal bulbs into the assembly and can't get that POS out of there..any ideas? I was thinkign when I go to the body shop they can pull it out or something.
ravi
__________________ GQ.It's a way of life. I ain't saying she a gold digga...but she ain't messin with no broke Indian.
Guys, I accidentally dropped one of my turn signal bulbs into the assembly and can't get that POS out of there..any ideas? I was thinkign when I go to the body shop they can pull it out or something.
ravi
Damn, that sucks...If you can't shake it out, then maybe you can use grabbers (we have them at work to grab screws and stuff when we drop them in hard to reach places). It's basically a skinny stick w/a set of 'fingers' at the end. Only other thing I can think of is to bake the light assembly to take it apart, but that might cause the bulb to melt...which would be a bad thing
***Sorry dude, was looking on mcmaster-carr.com to find the exact name of the 'grabbers' but couldn't find them
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by TK2005
...I'm so JDM, I sleep on the right side of the bed.
How do the backup/turn signal lens secure to the bumper?
I got my Z used in January and noticed that the left hand side backup/turn signal lens was "pushed in" (see first attached pic). It is finally getting a littler warmer out so I decided to try to tackle this on my own since the dealership service department said that they would need the car the entire day. I figured out how to remove the brake light lens (took me a while, next time I will search here first!), but luckily I did what was described here and didn't break any clips.
I reach my hand down in there and try to push the backup/turn signal lens into the bumper to try to secure it (so it would look like the second pic), but it doesn't want to "click" in or anything and I can just push it in with my finger and end up back where I started (with pic 1).
Any helpful tips on how to secure the backup/turn signal lens to the bumper would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
I ended up doing something similar, but if that doesn't hold then I'll try your suggestion. Is something (a clip I can't see) broken on my lens that getting a new one would secure it tightly to my bumper? Is that the only way the lenses are secured to the bumper? It is hard to see in there and I don't have a service manual so I don't know if there is a plastic bracket or something else that is broken that would hold the lens to the bumper. I had my mechanic look under the car and there are no signs of the car being hit in the rear, so I'm thinking that the previous owner "tapped" something when backing up (2 or 3 mph) and popped the lens and pushed it in.
If you look at it from above you should be able to see a plastic clear tab thats part of the lense itself sitting on top of the part of the bumper that comes in. This tab sits on top of the bumper but for whatever reason doesn't sit tightly anymore. The cardboard or anything else you can get in there to secure it should do the trick. I think there are a lot of owners who have had this issue...so I don't think its from being hit
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by TK2005
...I'm so JDM, I sleep on the right side of the bed.
How do the backup/turn signal lens secure to the bumper?
I got my Z used in January and noticed that the left hand side backup/turn signal lens was "pushed in" (see first attached pic). It is finally getting a littler warmer out so I decided to try to tackle this on my own since the dealership service department said that they would need the car the entire day. I figured out how to remove the brake light lens (took me a while, next time I will search here first!), but luckily I did what was described here and didn't break any clips.
I reach my hand down in there and try to push the backup/turn signal lens into the bumper to try to secure it (so it would look like the second pic), but it doesn't want to "click" in or anything and I can just push it in with my finger and end up back where I started (with pic 1).
Any helpful tips on how to secure the backup/turn signal lens to the bumper would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
I currently have this problem too. What worked for you?
I currently have this problem too. What worked for you?
PM your #. I will tell you how to fix it. It's too difficult to type out the procedure.
Val
__________________ Team Nextstage
Sponsored by Meguiar's, Imported Performance www.teamnextstage.com Team DNF n00bslayer & eater of children............................................................ ...............
PM sent. If you need more detailed/specific steps let me know.
Thnx. I didn't feel like typing it out
__________________ Team Nextstage
Sponsored by Meguiar's, Imported Performance www.teamnextstage.com Team DNF n00bslayer & eater of children............................................................ ...............
If you look at it from above you should be able to see a plastic clear tab thats part of the lense itself sitting on top of the part of the bumper that comes in. This tab sits on top of the bumper but for whatever reason doesn't sit tightly anymore. The cardboard or anything else you can get in there to secure it should do the trick. I think there are a lot of owners who have had this issue...so I don't think its from being hit
I had the same problem a few days ago...someone backed into the driver side corner of the bumper (no idea who...SOB) and small crack in bumper now appears () and broke one of the two mounting clips of the on the light assembly from the bumper.
I took the brake light assemply off, cut a standard bath towel in half, rolled it up tightly, stuffed it in there between the signal assembly and the car body...voila. Assembly is now very secure.
I hate having to do half-assed fixes like that, but will have to do until I can get the entire bumper replaced.
If you are looking for information on how to remove the entire bumper, check this thread:
Step-By-Step Instructions:Removing Rear Brake Light / Access To Turn Signal
I figured out how to remove the brake light lens (took me a while, next time I will search here first!), but luckily I did what was described here and didn't break any clips. 
boneout
) and broke one of the two mounting clips of the on the light assembly from the bumper. 
