Nissan Sentra
Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a brake, rear turn signal
or reverse bulb in the tail lights of a 6th generation 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra.
2012 Sentra Tail Lights |
Trunk Carpet Liner |
Pry Out Center of Fastener |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the sixth generation "B16" (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 &
2012) Nissan Sentra sedan in changing a burnt out brake, rear turn
signal or reverse bulb in the tail light assemblies. Owners of other Nissan vehicles with similar tail light housings such as the Versa, Cube, Altima, Maxima, Leaf, Pathfinder, 370Z, Juke, Rogue, Xterra, Murano and Quest may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake # 3057, Rear Turn Signal # 3057 and Reverse # 921. The tools needed to remove the tail light assembly include a small flathead screwdriver, an 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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Pull Out Plastic Fastener |
Pull Back Carpet Trunk Liner |
Two Nuts Exposed |
The first two steps
are to open the trunk and move to the side of the car with the burnt out
tail light bulb. Then gently pry out the center of the black plastic fastener on the rear corner of the carpeted trunk liner with a small flathead screwdriver. Once the center piece has been released, you can pry out the entire fastener. Set the fastener aside in a safe place. Pull back the carpeted trunk liner to reveal the two nuts that hold the tail light housing in place. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Remove 8mm Nut |
Loosen 2nd 8mm Nut |
Loosen the two nuts by turning them counterclockwise with the 8mm socket and ratcheting wrench. | ||
Remove 2nd 8mm Nut |
Two 8mm Nuts Removed |
Pull Off Tail Light Housing |
Spin off the two
nuts and set them aside in a safe place. The tail light housing is still held in place by two pegs or "spikes" on the rear of the assembly near the outer edge. Try to pull the tail light assembly straight off the rear of the vehicle. If you have trouble removing the tail light, try gently wiggling while pulling straight back. |
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Gently Pry Out Side Edge |
Turn Over Tail Light Assembly |
Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
If you still can't
pull off the tail light, carefully insert a flathead screwdriver or a
plastic automotive panel pry tool in between the rear outer edge of the
housing and the metal quarter panel. To prevent from scratching the plastic housing or the painted body panel, you may choose to cover the tip of your screwdriver with a thin micro fiber cloth. Gently pry on the outer edge to release the two peg or "spike" friction fasteners from their plastic grommets on the vehicle. Turn over the tail light housing and rest it on the bumper to access the bulb sockets. To prevent from scratching the bumper or the plastic tail light lens, you may want to place a towel between the two surfaces. |
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
Remove Bulb Socket |
Pull Out Old Bulb |
The green plastic
Turn Signal light bulb socket is located at the top of the housing. Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and gently push in a new # 3057 bulb. |
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Push In New # 3057 |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Brake Light Bulb Socket |
Re-insert the
socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in
place. The black plastic Brake Light bulb socket is located below the turn signal and near the center of the assembly. |
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
Pull Out Old # 3057 Bulb |
Re-Insert Bulb Socket |
Rotate the socket
1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and gently push in a new # 3057 bulb. |
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
Reverse Bulb Socket |
Re-insert the brake
light bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock
it in place. The Reverse or "Back Up" light bulb socket is located near the bottom inner edge of the housing. Rotate the small black plastic bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out. |
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Pull Out Old # 921 Bulb |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Line Up Pegs & Grommets |
Pull the old bulb
straight out of the socket and push in a new #
921 bulb. If you would like to have brighter reverse lights, install some compatible replacement 921 LED bulbs. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. Line up the pegs or "spikes" on the rear of the housing with their corresponding holes in the metal body panel. |
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Push On Tail Light Housing |
Spin On 8mm Nuts |
Turn Clockwise |
Carefully push the
tail light assembly back on to the rear corner of the vehicle. Move to the inside of the trunk and spin the two nuts on to the threaded screw ends in the clockwise direction. |
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Tighten With 8mm Socket |
Tighten 2nd Nut |
Replace Carpet Trunk Liner |
Tighten the two
nuts in the clockwise direction with the 8mm socket and ratcheting wrench
until they are snug. Avoid over tightening the two nuts to prevent from cracking the plastic tail light housing. Push the carpeted liner back in to place over the rear corner of the trunk. |
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Re-Insert Pop Rivet Fastener |
Push In Center Piece - Lock |
Test New Tail Light Bulbs |
Push in the plastic
fastener and then pop in the smaller center piece to lock it in place. Test the new tail light bulbs by having someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse. For more,
check out my other
2007-2012 Nissan Sentra Maintenance & Repair Guides. |
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