Nissan
Pathfinder License Plate Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out license plate
light bulb in the tailgate door of a 4th generation 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder.
 2016 Pathfinder License Plate |
 License Plate Light Housing |
 Tailgate Door Interior Panel |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and most
likely
also the updated 2017 model year) Nissan Pathfinder SUV in
changing a burnt out license plate light bulb in the rear cargo area
tailgate door. Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Sentra, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The compatible replacement part number is 2825. You can also use a brighter 2825 LED bulb. The tools needed to access and replace the light bulbs include a flathead screwdriver and a plastic pry bar tool. |
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 Pry Out Center of Fastener |
 Remove Plastic Pop Rivet |
 Center of 2nd Fastener |
| The first step is
to open the tailgate door.
Then locate the two round black plastic fasteners on either side of the grab handle. Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry out the center part of the fastener which will unlock it. Then pry out the base of the fastener. |
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 Pry Out Base of Fastener |
 2nd Pop Rivet Removed |
 Plastic Access Cover |
| Set the two
fasteners aside in a safe place. Next, you'll be removing the rectangular shaped access cover on the plastic interior tailgate panel. |
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 Insert Flathead Screwdriver |
 Access Panel Removed |
 Insert Plastic Pry Bar Tool |
| Use the plastic
pry bar tool to gently remove the
top edge of the access cover. Then remove the hooks at the bottom of the cover. Set the cover aside in a safe place. (You will be using this opening in the tailgate panel as a handle to pull out the plastic pop rivets.) Insert the plastic pry bar tool in between the interior tailgate panel and the metal frame. |
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 Disengage Pop Rivets |
 Pry Out Grab Handle |
 Pulling Off Interior Panel |
| Gently pry on the
tailgate panel to disengage the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners. Pull out the grab handle on the right (passenger) side of the tailgate panel and set it aside in a safe place. Continue pulling off the interior tailgate panel to release all of the pop rivets. Use the opening in the tailgate panel where the rectangular cover used to reside as a handle for disengaging the pop rivets. |
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 Tailgate Interior Removed |
 Tailgate Door Metal Frame |
 License Plate Light Socket |
| Set the interior
tailgate panel aside in a safe place. Locate the two grey plastic license plate light bulb sockets. |
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 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Bulb Socket Removed |
 Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
| Rotate the bulb
socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove it from the housing. Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new miniature wedge base number 2825 bulb. |
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 Push In New 2825 Bulb |
 Empty Bulb Housing |
 Re-Insert Bulb Socket |
| You can also choose to install a brighter LED bulb. | ||
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Bulb Socket Replaced |
 Push On Tailgate Panel |
| Re-insert the bulb
socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in
place. (You may want to test the new license plate light bulbs before re-installing the tailgate's interior panel.) Line up the plastic interior tailgate panel and push the pop rivets back in to place. |
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 Push In Pop Rivets |
 Firmly Tap In Fasteners |
 Grab Handle - UP |
| Firmly tap in the
pop rivet friction fasteners all along the bottom and both sides of the
tailgate panel. Orientate the grab handle with the "UP" letters pointing up. |
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 Pop Handle In Place |
 Push In Plastic Fastener |
 Push In 2nd Fastener |
| Push the grab
handle back in to place. Re-insert the two black plastic fasteners and then pop in the center pieces to lock them in place. |
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 Line Up Access Panel |
 Re-Insert Plastic Hooks |
 Gently Pop In Clips |
| Re-insert the
plastic hooks at the bottom of the access cover back in to place. Then gently snap in the retaining clips at the top edge of the cover. |
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 Turn On Headlights |
 Test License Plate Lights |
 Light Bulb Replaced |
| To test the new
license plate light bulbs, turn on the headlights or press the "Unlock"
button on the key fob to activate the exterior lights. For more,
check out all of my
2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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