Chevrolet
Traverse Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to replace the brake/turn signal,
reverse, & side marker bulbs in the tail lights of a 2009-2012 GM Chevy
Traverse.
 2012 Traverse Tail Light |
 Open Cargo Liftgate |
 Pry Out Screw Covers |
| This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 GM Chevrolet Traverse crossover
SUV in replacing the combination brake and turn signal, rear side
marker, or the reverse bulb in the tail light assemblies. Owners of other General Motors crossovers, SUVs, minivans or trucks such as the Chevy Equinox, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Avalanche, Silverado, GMC Canyon, Sierra, Acadia, Yukon, Denali, Savana, Pontiac Aztek, Torrent, Saturn Outlook, Buick Encore, and Enclave may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement bulbs and their part numbers are as follows: Brake/Turn Signal # 7443, Rear Side Marker # 194, and Reverse (Back-Up) Light # 912. The reverse light bulb for the 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 model years is part number 921. The tools needed to access the tail light bulbs include a small flathead screwdriver and a 7mm socket with ratcheting wrench. |
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 Screw Covers Removed |
 Remove Two 7mm Screws |
 Upper 7mm Screw Removed |
| Move to the rear of
the vehicle and open the cargo tailgate door.
Locate the two small round plastic screw covers on the inside edge of the tail light housing. Pry out the screw covers with the small flathead screwdriver. Remove the upper and lower tail light screws with a 7mm socket and ratcheting wrench. |
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 Pull Off Tail Light Housing |
 Turn Over Tail Light |
 Brake / Turn Signal Socket |
| Pull the tail light
housing straight off the rear corner of the vehicle. Turn over the tail light housing to access the two bulb sockets. |
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 1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
 Remove Socket |
 Pull Out Old Brake Bulb |
| The combination
brake and turn signal dual filament light bulb is the larger of the two
sockets.
Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old # 7443 bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new one. |
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 Re-Insert Socket |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise |
 1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
| Insert the brake
socket back into the tail light assembly and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to
secure it in place. The rear side marker is contained within the smaller grey/orange socket. Rotate it 1/4 turn counter clockwise, and pull it straight out of the tail light housing. |
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 Pull Out Rear Side Marker |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise |
 Line Up Spikes & Hole |
| Pull the rear side
marker bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new #
194 bulb. Line up the spikes on the rear of the tail light assembly with the corresponding holes on the vehicle. |
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 Push Tail Light On Vehicle |
 Tighten Two 7mm Screws |
 Replace Screw Covers |
| Push the tail light
assembly on to the rear corner of the vehicle. Insert and tighten the two 7mm screws with the socket and ratcheting wrench. Snap the round plastic screw covers back into place. |
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 Test New Brake Light Bulb |
 Reverse / Back Up Light |
 Pry Off Two Tabs |
| Test the new brake
light / turn signal light bulb by having someone step on the brake pedal and
activate the hazard signals. The reverse or "back up" light bulb is located in a separate housing on the cargo tailgate. Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the two plastic tabs that hold the reverse light housing in place. |
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 Remove Bulb Housing |
 1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
 Reverse Bulb Socket |
| Pull the reverse
light bulb housing off the cargo lift gate and turn it over. Rotate the light grey bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pull Out Old # 912 Bulb |
 Re-Insert Reverse Housing |
 Two Tabs In Place |
| Pull the old
reverse light bulb straight out of the socket and push a new #
912 bulb. The newer 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Traverse model years use the very similar 921 bulb. Gently re-insert the reverse light bulb housing and make sure that the two plastic tabs on the outer edge are in place over the metal lip of the lift gate. |
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 Reverse Housing Replaced |
 Test New Reverse Light |
 Test New Tail Lights |
| Test the new
reverse light bulb by having someone put the transmission into reverse. For more,
check out my other
Chevrolet Traverse Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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