GMC Acadia Tail Light Bulbs
Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out brake, rear
turn signal or reverse light bulb in a 1st generation 2007 to 2016 GMC Acadia.
 2016 Acadia Tail Light |
 Open Tailgate Door |
 Pry Out Screw Cap |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) GMC Acadia in changing a burnt out rear
turn signal or reverse bulb in the tail light assemblies. Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Terrain, Yukon, Denali, Savana, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro, Corvette, SS, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado and Express may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Reverse # 921. You can also use a compatible LED unit. (The brake and rear turn signal are LED bulbs.) To access and replace the tail light bulbs, you'll need a flathead screwdriver, a 7mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench and possibly also a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool. |
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 Plastic Cover Removed |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
 Remove Lower Screw Cap |
| The LED brake and
rear turn signal light bulbs should last the life time of the vehicle, but
it you'd like to take off the tail light housing for any other reason,
follow the steps below. Open the tailgate door and locate the two black plastic screw covers on the inner edge of the housing. Pry out the screw caps with a small flathead screwdriver. Remove the two screws by turning them counterclockwise with a 7mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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 Pull Off Tail Light Housing |
 Metal Spike & Grommet |
 Tighten Clockwise |
| Pull the tail light
housing straight off the rear corner of the SUV. To replace the tail light assembly, line up the metal peg or "spike" on the back of the housing with its corresponding plastic grommet. Push the tail light housing back in to place. |
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 Re-Insert 7mm Screws |
 Tighten Clockwise |
 Pop In Screw Caps |
| Re-insert the two
7mm screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction until they are snug. Pop the two round screw caps back in to place. |
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 Reverse Light Housing |
 Tailgate Door Handle |
 Pry Off Plastic Cover |
| To access the
reverse light bulb socket, you will need to partially remove the tailgate
door's plastic interior panel. Start by gently prying off the plastic trim cover on the tailgate door handle. |
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 Trim Panel Removed |
 Door Handle Bracket |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
| Set the tailgate
door handle trim panel aside in a safe place. Remove the two 7mm screws that hold the metal door handle bracket in place by turning them counterclockwise. |
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 Remove Handle |
 Tailgate Handle Removed |
 Pry Off Rear Window Trim |
| Set the two screws
aside in a safe place and remove the door handle bracket. Gently pry off the tan trim panel that surrounds the rear window. |
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 Metal Friction Fastener |
 Pry Off Tailgate Panel |
 Pry Up Pop Rivets |
| Then start prying out the plastic pop rivet fasteners along the side of the tailgate panel. | ||
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 Lit Out Base of Fastener |
 Plastic Pop Rivet Removed |
 Lift Center of Fastener |
| There are two black
plastic fasteners on the bottom of the tailgate near the latch mechanism. Gently pry up the center part of each fastener before removing the base of the pop rivet. |
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 Remove 2nd Fastener |
 Two Pop Rivets Removed |
 Pull Back Plastic Panel |
| Continue pulling back the tailgate panel to access the area behind the reverse light housing. | ||
 White Plastic Pop Rivets |
 Pull Down Tailgate Panel |
 Reverse Bulb Socket |
| Once you have released enough pop rivets and metal friction fasteners, you should be able to see the grey and black reverse bulb socket. | ||
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Reverse Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
| Rotate the base of
the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull it straight out of the
housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket. If you have trouble removing the old bulb, put on some gloves and then try wiggling it back and forth while pulling. |
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 Push In New # 921 Bulb |
 Empty Bulb Housing |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| Push a new #
921 bulb straight in to the socket. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
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 Replace Tailgate Panel |
 Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets |
 Tap In Window Trim Panel |
| Line up the fasteners on the back of the panels with their corresponding holes and slots before firmly tapping them back in to place. | ||
 Re-Insert Black Pop Rivets |
 Push In Center Piece |
 Re-Insert Metal Bracket |
| Re-insert the pop
rivets near the latch mechanism and push in the center parts to secure them
in place. Replace the metal door handle bracket and tighten the two 7mm screws in the clockwise direction. |
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 Line Up Plastic Cover |
 Push On Trim Cover |
 Test New Reverse Light Bulb |
| Line up the plastic
door handle trim panel and firmly tap it back in to place. To test the tail light bulbs, have someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse. For more, check out my other
2007-2016 GMC Acadia DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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