License Plate lamps

I recently was changing some tail light lamps and needed to replace one of the license plate lamps but could not remove the the old one,the socket assy is differant from the others,is there a special way to remove it?

Not sure how right off hand, but a very good idea to change. I once was pulled over. He just wanted to check me out. The reason? License plate light was out.
Chris.

I recently was changing some tail light lamps and needed to replace one of the license plate lamps but could not remove the the old one,the socket assy is differant from the others,is there a special way to remove it?

It helps if you will give the year and model you're asking about.

I do know that the lamps on my 98 leSabre are in what appears to be a flat holder held on by two screws. But they wouldn't screw out. It turned out they are plastic push pins that snap in and hold the lamp holder up in place. I believe I pushed the pins out from inside the trunk to get to the bulbs or I pried under the edge with a sharp screwdriver to pull them out. Then the holder fell out.

Sorry,my bad 2001 Le Sabre custume.

Sorry,my bad 2001 Le Sabre custume.


Deep trouble then.

You have to take off the WHOLE light bar across the back. On the inside of the trunk there are a bunch of little 10 mm taps that are deep inside the trunk lid. It takes a deep socket to reach them because the studs are long--can't use a short socket.

There are 3 on each side and one in the middle that have to come out. Don't remove the two next to the trunk latch cylinder.

OK ,after removing the light bar again I found out that the sockets are the twist off type but since they were never removed and were tight because the O' rings had sealed themselves to the plastic so it was very hard to turn, I would suggest anyone having trouble turning them to try lubricating them slowly and working them loose so the socket can be removed and the bulb replaced without damage. thanks for the help.

Just noticed to that my plate lamp was out on my 1987 Lesabre. I also found out I had to take the whole tail light section off the car. Then remove 4, 10mm screws that holds the plate on to get at the bulb socket:rolleyes: but over all was not to bad. And yes it is a very good idea to replace a burn't out lamp! For law enforcement this makes a good stop:naughty: and could lead to other things for the driver:frown: