Toyota Avalon
Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out rear turn
signal or reverse light bulb in a 4th generation 2013 to 2017 Toyota Avalon.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
||
 2016 Avalon Tail Lights |
 Open Trunk Lid |
 Rear Corner of Trunk |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and
the updated 2018 model year) Toyota Avalon sedan in changing a burnt
out rear turn signal or reverse light bulb in the tail light
housings. Owners of other Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Corolla, Matrix, Prius, Camry, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Venza, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, IS 250, IS 200t, IS 300, NX 200t, NX 300h, RX 350, RX 450h, LS 460, LS 600h, ES 350, ES 300h Hybrid, RC F, GS 350, CT 200h, LX 570, GX 460, tC, iA, iM, xB, xD, iQ and FR-S may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The compatible replacement light bulb part numbers are as follows: Rear Turn Signal # 921 and Reverse Light # 921. The only tool needed to access and replace the tail light bulbs is a small flathead screwdriver. |
||
|
|
||
 Firmly Push In Center |
 Remove Cargo Net Hook |
 Close Up of Release Button |
| The main tail light
housing contains the LED brake lights (which should last the life time of
the car) and the traditional incandescent rear turn signal light bulb. To access the rear turn signal light bulb socket, open the trunk lid and move to the rear corner of the trunk. Firmly push in the round button in the center of the circular plastic piece just above the cargo net hook to release the fastener. Set the cargo net hook assembly aside in a safe place. |
||
 Pry Out Center of Fastener |
 Remove Entire Pop Rivet |
 Two Fasteners Removed |
| Then move down
below to the smaller round plastic pop rivet. Gently pry out the center part of the fastener with a small flathead screwdriver. Once the center of the pop rivet has been unlocked, you can pull out the base of the fastener. Set the pop rivet aside with the cargo net hook. |
||
 Peel Back Carpet Liner |
 Turn Signal Bulb Socket |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
| Carefully pull back
the carpeted trunk liner panel to access the rear of the tail light housing. Rotate the grey plastic light bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out. |
||
 Remove Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
 Old Light Bulb Removed |
| Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket. | ||
 Push In New # 921 Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Replace Trunk Carpet Liner |
| Push a new number
921 light bulb straight in to
the socket.
If you want a brighter rear turn signal light bulb, there are 921 LED bulb available. Re-insert the bulb socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. Push the carpeted trunk liner panel back in to place. |
||
|
|
||
 Push On Cargo Net Hook |
 Re-Insert Pop Rivet |
 Push In Center Piece |
| Line up the hole in
the plastic trunk panel with the hole in the carpeted liner. Re-insert the cargo net hook assembly and firmly push it back in to place. Re-insert the pop rivet near the bottom of the plastic panel and push in the center piece to lock it in place. |
||
 Reverse Light - Trunk Lid |
 Pry Out Center of Fastener |
 Remove Plastic Pop Rivet |
| The reverse or
"back up" light bulb is located in a separate housing attached to the trunk
lid. Locate the three round black plastic pop rivet fasteners along the outer edge of the carpeted trunk lid liner. Gently pry out the middle piece of each pop rivet fastener before prying out the base. |
||
 2nd Middle Pop Rivet |
 3rd Lower Fastener |
 Pull Back Carpet Liner |
| Gently pull back the carpet liner to access the reverse light bulb socket. | ||
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Reverse Light Bulb Socket |
 Pull Out Old Light Bulb |
| Rotate the base of
the reverse bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before removing it from
the housing. Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket. |
||
 Old # 921 Bulb |
 Push In New Bulb |
 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
| Push a new #
921 bulb straight in to the socket. Re-insert the light bulb socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. |
||
 Re-Insert Pop Rivet |
 Push In Center - Lock |
 Test New Tail Light Bulbs |
|
Push the trunk lid liner back in to place. Re-insert the three pop rivets and push in the center piece to secure them in place. To test the new tail light bulbs, have someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and shift the transmission in to reverse. For more,
check out all of my
Toyota Avalon DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
||
If you found this guide to be helpful,
please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com
"Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
 (Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.) |