TAIL LIGHT- Repair

Night time vehicle conspicuity to the rear is provided by rear position lamps (also called taillamps or tail lamps, taillights or tail lights). These are required to produce only red light, and to be wired such that they are lit whenever the front position lamps are illuminated—including when the headlamps are on. Rear position lamps may be combined with the vehicle's stop lamps, or separate from them. In combined-function installations, the lamps produce brighter red light for the stop lamp function, and dimmer red light for the rear position lamp function. The tail and stop light functions may be produced separately and/or by a dual-intensity lamp.
Regulations worldwide stipulate minimum intensity ratios between the bright (stop) and dim (tail) modes, so that a vehicle displaying rear position lamps will not be mistakenly interpreted as showing stop lamps, and vice versa. http://en.wikipedia.org


PROCEDURE:

1. Evaluate how to access your blown bulb. A lens cover might need to be removed before you are able to make the change. It is also possible that the change needs to be done via the trunk. Inspect the light to find out which access point you will need to use. If there are no visible screws on the lens cover you will need to change the bulb through the trunk.

2. For an exterior change, unscrew the lens cover to expose the burnt out bulb. You now need to remove the bulb. Apply light pressure while turning simultaneously to extract the broken bulb. Be careful not to apply too much pressure so you don’t break the bulb and cut yourself. It may be quite difficult to remove if the glass is broken. For a trunk change remove the interior panel to make the change.

3. Once you have expose the bulb you need to determine what replacement you need. Take your used bulb to your local automotive supply store or locate the correct replacement online. Be sure to select the correct bulb for your vehicles particular make and model to ensure a fit.

4. Once you have obtained the correct replacement bulb you may now install it. First check to see if there is any corrosion in the socket. If so clean with a brush or wipe it clean. With the socket prepared simply screw the bulb back into its socket.

5. With the bulb in place, replace the lens cover if you did an exterior change. Test the bulbs to make sure you have installed them correctly. Step on the breaks and turn headlights on. Have someone confirm that all bulbs go on.