Chevrolet
Equinox Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a brake / turn signal,
reverse or rear side marker bulb in the tail lights of a 2010-2016 Chevy
Equinox.
 2012 Equinox Tail Light |
 Open Cargo Liftgate |
 Pry Out Screw Cover |
| This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GM Chevy Equinox
in changing a burnt out combination brake / turn signal / parking
bulb, reverse bulb, or rear side marker bulb in the tail light
assemblies. Owners of other GM vehicles such as the Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Volt, Malibu, Impala, Camaro, Corvette, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Avalanche, Silverado, Verano, Encore, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore, Enclave, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, ATS, XTS, CTS, SRX and Escalade may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement bulbs are as follows with their part numbers: Brake / Rear Turn Signal / Parking # 3157, Reverse (Back Up) 921, and Rear Side Marker # 194.The tools needed to access the bulbs include a small flathead screwdriver and a standard Phillips head screwdriver. |
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 Screw Cover Removed |
 Remove Lower Screw Cover |
 Remove Phillips Screw |
| The first two steps
are to open the cargo liftgate on the rear of the vehicle and move to the
tail light with the burnt out bulb. Then pry off the two round black plastic screw covers on the inner edge of the tail light housing. Set them aside in the trunk. |
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 2nd Phillips Head Screw |
 Two Screws Removed |
 Pull Off Tail Light Housing |
| Remove the two
screws with a Phillips head screwdriver by rotating them counter clockwise.
Pull the tail light assembly straight off the rear of the vehicle. |
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 Housing Removed |
 Turn Over On Bumper |
 Brake / Turn Signal Socket |
| Turn over the tail
light housing and rest it on the bumper. Place a towel in between the tail
light and the bumper to avoid scratching the surfaces. The combination Brake / Turn Signal / Parking light bulb is contained in the large light grey socket at the bottom of the housing. |
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 1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
 Pull Out Brake Socket |
 Pull Out Old Bulb |
| Rotate the socket
1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the tail light
assembly. Pull the old brake light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 3157 bulb. |
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 Push In New # 3157 |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise |
 Reverse Bulb Socket |
| Insert the new brake light bulb and socket back in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. | ||
 1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
 Pull Out Old # 921 Bulb |
 Re-Install Reverse Socket |
| The reverse light
bulb socket is located at the top of the tail light assembly. Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the assembly. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 921 bulb. Insert the new reverse light bulb and socket in to the housing before rotating it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place. |
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 1/4 Turn Clockwise |
 Rear Side Marker Socket |
 1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
| The rear side
marker light bulb socket is located at the outer edge of the housing. Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 194 bulb. If you would like to have brighter side marker lights, install some compatible 194 LED bulbs. |
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 Pull Out Old # 194 Bulb |
 Insert - 1/4 Turn Clockwise |
 Insert Spikes In Holes |
| Insert the new bulb
and socket back in to the housing before rotating it 1/4 turn clockwise to
secure it in place. Line up the pegs or "spikes" on the rear of the tail light housing with the corresponding holes on the corner of the vehicle. |
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 Push On Housing |
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 Tighten Phillips Screws |
| Gently push the
tail light assembly in place on the rear corner of the vehicle. Insert the two Phillips head screws and tighten them. |
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 Replace Screw Covers |
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 Test Tail Light Bulbs |
| Replace the two
round plastic screw covers. Test the new tail light bulbs by having someone turn on the headlights, activate the hazard signals, press the brake pedal and place the transmission in reverse. Close the cargo lift gate to complete the job. Be sure to record the bulb change in your vehicle's service records. For more,
check out my other
GM
Chevrolet Equinox DIY Repair Guides. |
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