Jeep Grand
Cherokee Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change the brake, rear turn signal
and reverse bulbs in the tail lights of a WK2 2011 to 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2012 Grand Cherokee Tail Light |
Open Cargo Tail Gate |
Pry Out Center of Fastener |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the 4th generation "WK2" (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
and
2016) Jeep Grand Cherokee in changing a burnt out brake, rear turn
signal, parking light and reverse light bulbs in the tail light
assemblies. Owners of other Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM SUV or minivan vehicles with similar tail light housings such as the Town & Country, Patriot, Compass, Cherokee, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, and C/V Tradesman may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Replacement tail light bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake & Turn Signal # 3157 or 3057, Large Outer Reverse Light # 7440, Small Inner Reverse Light # 921 and Parking Light Bulb # 2821 or 2825. The only tool needed to replace the bulbs is a flathead screwdriver. A pair of needle nose pliers or a pop rivet removal tool may also be useful for pulling out the two plastic pop rivet fasteners. |
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Pull Out Top Fastener |
Remove Lower Pop Rivet |
Two Pop Rivets Removed |
The first two steps
are to open the rear cargo tail gate door and move to the side of the
vehicle with the burnt out tail light bulb. Locate the two light grey plastic pop rivet fasteners on the inner edge of the tail light housing that were covered by the tail gate. Pry up the round center piece in the middle of each fastener first with a flathead screwdriver and then pull out the entire fastener with a pair of needle nose pliers. Set the upper and lower fasteners aside in a safe place. |
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Loosen Side of Housing |
Pull Off Tail Light Assembly |
Rest Housing On Bumper |
The tail light
housing is still held in place by two pegs on the back side near the outer
edge that act as friction fasteners in grommets on the corner of the
vehicle. If necessary, you may need to carefully insert a small flathead screwdriver in between the outer edge of the tail light housing and the painted metal body of the SUV to loosen the two friction fasteners. Pull the tail light assembly straight off the rear corner of the vehicle, turn it over and rest it on the bumper. To avoid scratching the plastic tail light lens or the paint, place a towel down on the bumper. |
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1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
Remove Brake Bulb Socket |
Pull Out Old # 3057 Bulb |
The larger black
socket contains the combination brake light and rear turn signal dual
filament bulb.
Rotate the socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 3057 or alternatively a # 3157 dual filament bulb. |
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Re-Insert Bulb Socket |
1/4 Turn Clockwise |
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
Re-insert the brake / turn signal bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. The smaller light grey socket near the bottom of the housing contains the larger primary reverse light bulb. Rotate the reverse bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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Large Reverse Light Bulb |
Pull Out Old # 7440 Bulb |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Pull the old bulb
straight out of the socket and push in a new #
7440 bulb. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place. |
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Line Up Pegs & Slots |
Push On Tail Light Housing |
Insert Plastic Fastener |
To replace the tail
light housing, line up the two black metal pegs on the back side of the tail
light with the two plastic slots on the rear corner of the vehicle. Push the tail light straight on to the rear of the vehicle. |
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Pop In Center of Fastener |
Push In Lower Fastener |
Test Brake / Turn Signal |
Make sure that the
smaller center part of each plastic pop rivet fastener is raised before
pushing them in to the holes at the inner edge of the tail light housing. Then pop the center part of the fastener all the way in until it is flush with the tail light to lock it in place. Test the new combo brake / turn signal bulb or the larger of the two reverse light bulbs by having someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse. |
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Parking Light & 2nd Reverse |
Do Not Remove 10mm Nuts |
Insert Flathead Screwdriver |
The parking light
bulb and the smaller 2nd reverse light bulb are located within the inner
tail light housing on the tail gate. Open the tail gate and carefully insert the blade of a flathead screwdriver in between the plastic tail gate liner and the metal body panel. |
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Pop Off Tail Gate Liner |
Parking Light & Small Reverse |
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
Gently pry off the
plastic panel from the underside of the tail gate to release the plastic pop
rivets holding it in place. The parking light bulb socket is located at the top of the housing and the smaller 2nd reverse bulb socket is at the bottom. Rotate the parking light bulb socket 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. |
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# 2821 Parking Light Bulb |
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise |
Smaller Reverse Light |
Pull the old
parking light bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new #
2821 bulb.
The 2821 bulb is rated at 3 watts, but if necessary, you can use any compatible miniature wedge base bulbs such as the # 168, W5W, 2825, 194 or a brighter LED unit. Re-insert the socket in to the housing, rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise and secure it in place. |
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Pull Out Old # 921 Bulb |
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
Test Tail Light Bulbs |
Rotate the 2nd
reverse bulb socket at the bottom of the housing 1/4 turn counter clockwise
before pulling it straight out. Pull the old reverse bulb out of the socket and push in a new # 921 bulb. Re-insert the socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. Test the new tail light bulbs by having someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals, and place the transmission in reverse. For more,
check out my other
Jeep Grand Cherokee DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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