TheDon427 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I decided to be productive on my lunch break today and tried to swap out license plate bulbs. Unfortunately, my beefcake hands suck at this kind of thing and while wiggling the socket into the hole, the bulb came loose and fell into the housing. Is there a way to get it out without using the baseball bat to the trunk method? Now I have red scratches all over my hands from fitting them through the tiny holes inside trunk lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dujo Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Tie a magnet to a string and see if you can snag the metal parts. Sorry no better advice. I have a wagon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Step 1: http://0.static.wix.com/media/a5960b_5482e76ce3ba00e4a087189b502cc8b5.jpg_1024 Step 2: http://img1.etsystatic.com/011/0/6214718/il_fullxfull.436053541_53k1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 Here are both LED bulbs just hanging out inside the housing. Yup, I said both. The second one fell in too now. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/Nickhead/FC74F94E-194E-45FC-9DB2-76C7BE83F7B3-2243-00000287809B9A00.jpg This is what it looks like inside the trunk lid. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/Nickhead/48DDEBD4-AE3B-44B7-8B94-635DC51AF366-2243-00000286F0E7D2F3.jpg I have a feeling these LED bulbs were the wrong size, which is why I couldn't get the socket to go back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nstg8r Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Here are both LED bulbs just hanging out inside the housing. Yup, I said both. The second one fell in too now. I have a feeling these LED bulbs were the wrong size, which is why I couldn't get the socket to go back in. Those look like the same leds I replaced mine with, albeit the 5th Gens have a different bulb housing. Mine just barely fit. You'll probably have to pop out the bulb housings and then shake them until the leds fall out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nstg8r Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Btw, according yo the owner's manual for your vehicle: "License plate light Sedan It may be difficult to replace the bulbs. Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU dealer if necessary." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 I think I can remove the housings by removing the plate, removing 2 bolts behind plate, then popping off the exterior trunk panel. Anyone done this before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dujo Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Do the clear plastic lenses pop out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 I tried pipping them out but they didn't budge so I'm going with no. I think I have to remove the outer trunk panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 Anyone else have a solution? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted March 12, 2013 Moderators Share Posted March 12, 2013 vacuum and some rubber tubing? You could try fishing around down in there with the tubing while holding the other end to the vacuum...? "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted March 12, 2013 Moderators Share Posted March 12, 2013 i have no idea what the actual setup looks like, BTW or even if that would work--i'm in wagon world, I think there are screws to remove the plates on ours. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk6933 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 It actually happened to me before. Use the larger paper clip, and put some double side tape. That's what I did and it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 You're a goddamn genius and a saint! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated Too laff79 Posted March 13, 2013 I Donated Too Share Posted March 13, 2013 Unfortunately, my beefcake hands suck at this kind of thing and while wiggling the socket into the hole, the bulb came loose and fell into the housing I know that feel... http://www.oocities.org/area51/vault/4633/3beefcake.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk6933 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 So I assume you got it out now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugsSin Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 If they have metal ends one of those magnets on a stick would work also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 I didn't attempt to get it out again yet but I have a paperclip and double sided sticky tape. I'll give it a shot on my lunch break today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon427 Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Got them out! It was very easy with the paper clip method. I just had to bounce the trunk lid to get the bulb close to the opening, then slip it out with the paper clip. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobycoupe Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I did the same thing last weekend, first thought was well now you are going to have a trunk rattle forever, way to go. I ended up using a set of "chinese fingers" and it worked eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.