Licence Plate (TAG) light bulb replacement?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Licence Plate (TAG) light bulb replacement?
No mention in Owners manual of 97 park ave how you get in to change out the 2 little bulbs above the licence plate, behind the clear plastic.
Do you have to remove the trunk liner or somehow squeeze the plastic cover to get it out to access bulbs??????
Do you have to remove the trunk liner or somehow squeeze the plastic cover to get it out to access bulbs??????
#2
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Certified GM nut
you have to remove the trunk lid carpet (just a bunch of those plastic nipple barb things) then remove the 7 or 8 10mm nuts to get the entire light assembly loose. its a really dumb design.
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WilliamE (05-25-2016)
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
WOW. that is ridiculous.
I think I will cut out the bottom plastic and make a replaceable plastic cover then.
I think I will cut out the bottom plastic and make a replaceable plastic cover then.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ok I finally Got around to figure out this Park Ave Licence Plate Bulb replacement.
Ok with trunk open you only need to pull down on 6 of the plastic holds on the front of the trunk liner. Once they are pulled down you have access to the bolts that need removing.
Remove all of them except the two (above and below) the key lock cylinder they can stay.
The you Can pull forward and remove the whole light assembly. The licence plate light bulbs are then turned clockwise slightly and pull them up to remove bulb holder.
I hope this image helps explain this pain in the $#$ set up.
Ok with trunk open you only need to pull down on 6 of the plastic holds on the front of the trunk liner. Once they are pulled down you have access to the bolts that need removing.
Remove all of them except the two (above and below) the key lock cylinder they can stay.
The you Can pull forward and remove the whole light assembly. The licence plate light bulbs are then turned clockwise slightly and pull them up to remove bulb holder.
I hope this image helps explain this pain in the $#$ set up.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Going to add in a better photo now that one is uploaded. I know a similar thread was created just wanted to get it all covered properly.
Beside the two 194 license plate bulbs I replaced.....
The rear dual filament bulb were a bit dim using the stock 3057 bulbs.
The new bulbs installed are 3457 and are 1.6 watts brighter on both filaments.
Night shot now.
Daytime:
Beside the two 194 license plate bulbs I replaced.....
The rear dual filament bulb were a bit dim using the stock 3057 bulbs.
The new bulbs installed are 3457 and are 1.6 watts brighter on both filaments.
Night shot now.
Daytime:
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Glad you got it figured out, I'll be doing mine before long, I have to replace all my weather seal around the break lights anyway, so I may as well.
I thought about going LED'*, but those look pretty good, and bright at night, nice job!
I thought about going LED'*, but those look pretty good, and bright at night, nice job!
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ya it a cheaper fix for the ole dim, but not as good as LED (or long lasting)
I did use these bulbs GE NightHawks , but buy some spares cause some of them may fry within a day or two like I found out. Dont push them in by glass use the rectangular base to press them into socket. You also can use some emory cloth inside socket before installation, if any rusty contacts are found. I also used a sniff of Vaseline to wire on bulbs base before installing them.
Post up a shot of how u like em William if you do the install. Also check the socket rubber seal on each base to make sure there are no cracks or missing like I found.
I did use these bulbs GE NightHawks , but buy some spares cause some of them may fry within a day or two like I found out. Dont push them in by glass use the rectangular base to press them into socket. You also can use some emory cloth inside socket before installation, if any rusty contacts are found. I also used a sniff of Vaseline to wire on bulbs base before installing them.
Post up a shot of how u like em William if you do the install. Also check the socket rubber seal on each base to make sure there are no cracks or missing like I found.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Just wanted to update on these GE night hawk 3457 bulbs.
After over 4 years, the first brake bulb blew on passenger side. All others still work!
Considering car is used daily, and they are a bit brighter/hotter, I would say these are long life quality bulbs!
After over 4 years, the first brake bulb blew on passenger side. All others still work!
Considering car is used daily, and they are a bit brighter/hotter, I would say these are long life quality bulbs!
__________________
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
The following users liked this post:
WilliamE (05-25-2016)
#9
Senior Member
True Car Nut
4 years is not bad considering the wattage is a bit higher, I really want to use LED'* on my Grand Prix, but LED'* are still a bit costly.
I went with GE Nighthawks for my GT'* fog lights, they are a bit brighter, but they fit well and I like the added brightness.
I went with GE Nighthawks for my GT'* fog lights, they are a bit brighter, but they fit well and I like the added brightness.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Fog lights nice, I wish the PA had them William. Yes to led'* but ya$.
Talking about LEd'*, I wonder if I could find the PA high mounted center brake light in an LED?
Even disconnect the bulbs in there & run one of those bright Led strips over top?
Strange, the owners & factory manual does not list what bulbs are in the center brake light. Only the FSM shows how to remove it.
Phoned Dealer....Center brake light takes two single filament 1156 bulbs.
Throw 2 Led 1156 replacements in there?
Anyways going to take it apart even though it still works, and consider options for the center brake light.
Talking about LEd'*, I wonder if I could find the PA high mounted center brake light in an LED?
Even disconnect the bulbs in there & run one of those bright Led strips over top?
Strange, the owners & factory manual does not list what bulbs are in the center brake light. Only the FSM shows how to remove it.
Phoned Dealer....Center brake light takes two single filament 1156 bulbs.
Throw 2 Led 1156 replacements in there?
Anyways going to take it apart even though it still works, and consider options for the center brake light.
__________________
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!