Fortunately, changing the tail light bulbs isn’t hard and shouldn’t take you more than 45 minutes to an hour. Be careful that newer models could be a little trickier to disassemble than older ones because there will be more wires.
In This Article...
How is a rear tail light assembly taken out?
Find the rear of the tail light assembly by opening the trunk of your car. The electrical harness should be disconnected from the tail light assembly’s back. Remove any nuts or screws holding the tail light assembly in place. From back, pull the tail light assembly out.
How much does a new tail light assembly cost?
Cost of replacing a tail light Expect to pay between $200 and $500 if you elect to have a professional replace your tail light assembly. If you own a high-end luxury or performance vehicle, the cost of the job may increase.
Changing the brake lights at AutoZone?
Problems with the brake light switch or turn signals A replacement switch can be placed after you check the connection to the switch for corrosion or other problems and buy it at your neighborhood AutoZone.
Can the plastic on a tail light be replaced separately?
Hello, and thank you for your letter. The “lenses” or plastic coverings for the taillights are not offered for sale individually. If you wish to do that repair, you will have to buy the full taillight assembly. Now, keep in mind that you might be able to locate one used for a lot less money. In light of this, you should make sure any used parts are either inspected or are of “known good” quality. Junk yards, pull-and-pay shops (where you find and take the part on your own), and even online are common venues to find used units. Make an appointment at your home or place of business with our service department if you require help changing the taillight.
Step One
Find out first how to get to the taillight bulb on your car. While you can access the taillight housing from the outside of some vehicles, you have to open the trunk on other cars and SUVs to get to the taillight bulb.
Consult your owner’s manual if you need help figuring out how to get to the taillight bulb.
Step Two
You can decide what equipment you’ll need now that you know how to get to the taillight bulb. Either a flathead or Phillips screwdriver will probably be required. To remove the screws keeping the taillight housing in place, gather the necessary equipment. You might not require tools if the taillight housing is accessible on your car. The cloth covering may easily be removed to reveal the bulb in its socket.
Step Three
Once the housing has been removed, decide which bulb or bulbs need to be replaced. Find the light bulb holder that contains the one you need to replace. Unscrew it by rotating it about a quarter turn and pulling it out to dislodge it.
Step Four
Pulling the bulb out of the socket slowly will allow you to remove it. The majority of them simply pull out, but others might need to be turned a quarter turn. There might be some additional screws to remove depending on how your car is set up. To avoid shattering the bulb, be gentle when doing this.
Step Five
Make sure the socket is clear of any dirt and debris before replacing the bulb. In the same way that you removed it, put the bulb back into the open socket. In order to prevent damage to the bulb, you might want to use gloves.
The procedure you used to remove the old bulb should be repeated. Reinstall the taillight housing by putting in any missing screws. If you had to remove any extra components to get to the taillight bulb, replace them.
Step Six
Find out more about high-quality lighting items, where to buy your car part, or how to locate it.
Only for entertainment and informational reasons, the information in this article should not be used as a substitute for consulting a qualified technician or mechanic for expert guidance. We advise you to speak with a licensed technician or mechanic if you have any specific queries or issues regarding any of the subjects discussed here. We will not, under any circumstances, be held responsible for any loss or harm resulting from your reliance on any content.
Tail Light Assembly
The group of lights positioned on the back of your car is known as the tail light assembly. They are made up of the reverse lights, brake lights, and tail lights. Each set of lights has a specific function for nighttime conspicuity. The red tail lights are connected to switch on in conjunction with the activation of the front position lighting. When the driver applies the brakes, the brake lights turn on. On both sides of the car, these lights, which are a vivid red, are mounted in multiples of two.
In some vehicles, the brake lights and the tail lights can be merged. They can be placed as a dual-intensity bulb in these circumstances, with the brake-light having a brighter intensity. Fog lights are also used in cars to improve rear sight in heavily foggy conditions. When the driver shifts into reverse to back up the automobile, the reversing lamps turn on. For both your safety and the protection of other drivers, you must make sure the tail lights are in functioning order.
You should replace the tail light assembly if your tail lights have sustained external damage or if the lenses are dim. For every make and model of vehicle, Buy Auto Parts keeps a large selection of tail light assemblies in stock.
We offer excellent aftermarket components as well as original OEM replacements. All of our auto components are rigorously examined and backed by a warranty. Choose the correct year, make, and model of your car from our online catalog to view the components that fit it. You can purchase premium tail light assemblies at Buy Auto Parts for unbeatable pricing, plus free shipping. Contact us by email at [email protected] or over the phone at 1-888-907-7225 if you have any inquiries about our auto parts.
How much time is required to change a tail light cover?
The average cost to replace a tail light cover ranges from $50 to $300, depending on whether you hire a mechanic or do it yourself.
Taxes, fees, and your specific make and model are not taken into account in this price range, which is based on national averages for all automobiles. Possible further requirements include the replacement of the tail light bulb. Use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator to get a more exact quote depending on your make, model, and location.
Cost at the Mechanic: $125 to $300
It only takes an hour to change a tail light cover, which is a reasonably simple procedure. Since the majority of coverings are made to last the lifetime of the car, you could never even require this service. That tail light cover won’t need to be replaced until it sustains damage, such as from an accident, UV rays, or harsh chemicals.
When my taillight breaks, can I still drive?
Driving with a damaged tail light is illegal. Two functional tail lights are a requirement for all vehicles. All tail light lenses must also be transparent. Additionally, they must come from the original automaker and look to be in good shape.
Additionally, installing dark lenses or bulbs that reduce the efficiency of tail lights is prohibited. Additionally, you should only use tail lights with U.S. Department of Transportation-approved bulbs.
Insurance coverage for damaged tail lights?
There are a few things you should ask yourself whether you instantly discover that your tail light is malfunctioning or whether you don’t until a police officer pulls you over to let you know about the problem.
What Caused the Damage to Your Tail Light?
When assessing if your insurance will pay for the repairs to your damaged tail light, you must first determine what caused the damage. Have you recently been in a car accident?
Your tail light may sustain damage in even a slight collision that makes it ineffective. There is a significant probability that your insurance coverage may pay the repairs if your tail light was damaged in a recognized accident. This makes it crucial to evaluate your car’s damage following any kind of collision.
Sometimes inadequate car maintenance rather than an accident results in a broken tail light. Unfortunately, the repairs to a broken tail light (or door dents, for that matter) brought on by carelessness or subpar maintenance are not covered by your insurance policy.
It is uncommon, but a fallen tree, storm debris, or other covered catastrophe could result in a shattered tail light. If your tail light was damaged in this manner and you have comprehensive auto insurance, you most likely have coverage for the cost of repairs.
What Type of Auto Insurance Do You Have?
From the absolute minimum of protection to extensive plans, auto insurance policies come in a wide range. For drivers to lawfully use their automobiles on public roads, the majority, if not all, states, demand a minimum level of coverage. The majority of the time, minimum coverage does not cover the cost of fixing damaged tail lights.
Collision insurance is frequently purchased by drivers as an additional degree of security. You probably won’t have to pay out of pocket to get the damage repaired if your tail light was shattered in an accident and you have collision coverage.
Finally, a few people decide to purchase a comprehensive auto insurance plan. Comprehensive auto insurance is frequently chosen by owners of high-end automobiles since it provides coverage for damage resulting not only from collisions but also from theft, vandalism, and even storms. The majority of the time, the expense of repairing a tail light that was damaged in a covered occurrence will be covered by your comprehensive auto policy.
O’Reilly modifies the tail lights?
While you wait, at no cost to you, our parts specialists can swiftly and easily change wiper blades because they are experts at changing headlamp and taillight bulbs.