Nissan Altima
Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake, rear
turn signal and reverse bulb in the tail lights of a 5th generation 2013, 2014 &
2015 Altima.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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 2014 Altima Tail Light |
 Carpeted Trunk Liner |
 Pry Out - Release Fastener |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fifth generation (2013, 2014, 2015 and possibly also
the refreshed 2016 model year) Nissan Altima sedan in changing a
burnt out brake, rear turn signal or reverse bulb in the tail light
housings. Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Murano, Xterra, Pathfinder, Sentra, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake # 7443, Rear Turn Signal # 3157A and Reverse # 921. The tools needed to replace the bulbs include a flathead screwdriver and a deep well 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench or an 8mm hand wrench. |
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 Pull Out Cargo Net Anchor |
 Pull Back Trunk Liner |
 Locate 8mm Nuts |
| The first two steps
are to open the trunk and then move to the side of the vehicle with the
burnt out tail light bulb. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pry out the center piece of the cargo net anchor that holds the trunk liner in place. Remove the cargo net anchor and set it aside in a safe place. Gently pull back the carpeted trunk liner. |
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 Loosen Nuts Counterclockwise |
 Remove 2nd 8mm Nut |
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| Loosen the two 8mm
nuts that secure the tail light housing in place to the rear of the vehicle
by turning them counterclockwise. You will either need a deep well 8mm socket or a standard 8mm hand wrench. |
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 Plastic Anchor & 2 Nuts |
 Gently Pry At Outer Edge |
 Pull Off Tail Light Housing |
| Set the two nuts
aside in a safe place. The tail light assembly is still held in place by two pegs or "spikes" on the back of the housing inserted in to plastic grommets on the vehicle. Try to pull the tail light housing straight off the rear of the vehicle. If you have trouble removing the housing, you may need to very carefully pry at the outer edge to loosen the two friction fasteners. |
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 Turn Over Housing |
 Turn Signal - Brake - Reverse |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
| Turn over the tail
light housing and rest it on the bumper to access the bulb sockets. The Brake Light bulb socket is located near the top outer corner of the housing. Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pull Out Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Old Brake Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| Pull the old bulb
straight out of the socket and push in a new #
7443 bulb. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Old 3157A Bulb |
| The Rear Turn
Signal bulb is located near the top inner corner of the housing. Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb out of the socket and push in a new amber colored # 3157A or 3157NA bulb. |
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 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Reverse Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Bulb Socket |
| Re-insert the turn
signal bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to
secure it in place. The Reverse Light Bulb socket is located at the bottom edge of the housing. Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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 Pull Out Old Reverse Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Plastic 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. |
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 Push On Tail Light Assembly |
 Spin On 8mm Nuts |
 Tighten Clockwise |
| Line up the two
pegs or "spikes" on the rear of the tail light housing with the plastic
grommets. Carefully push the tail light housing back in to place on the rear corner of the car. Spin on the two 8mm nuts in the clockwise direction. |
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 Tighten 2nd 8mm Nut |
 Replace Trunk Liner |
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| Tighten the two
nuts with the deep well 8mm socket or an 8mm wrench. Try to avoid over tightening the nuts to prevent from cracking the plastic tail light housing. |
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 Re-Insert Cargo Net Anchor |
 Pop In To Secure Fastener |
 Test New Tail Light Bulbs |
| Re-insert the cargo
net anchor and pop in the center piece to secure 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
2013-2015 Nissan Altima DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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 (Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.) |