How to remove tail light assemble - 2003 Toyota Highlander

1) Open trunk
2) Remove small round plastic access panel with a flat tip screw driver by prying open
3) Remove flat tip screw holding tail light assembly
4) Remove tail light assembly by pulling outward, careful not to break plastic guide/nub
5) Disconnect wiring connectors
6) Remove plastic housing access plate on back of tail light assembly by twisting/turning tabs until they click and then lift access plate from tail light assembly
7) When viewing the the bulbs, the turn signal bulb is the bottom left bulb
8) Install in reverse order, ensuring tail light seal seats properly during installation

Open the trunk, and pull back the carpet behind the tail light assembly-- you should see 3 different sets of wires going into the back of the tail light assembly. Pick the one you need to replace, and give it about a quarter turn counter-clockwise, and the bulb, harness, and wire can be pulled out of the tail light. Replace the burned out bulb in the socket, and reinstall the bulb just as you removed it.
If you have difficulty getting to the wiring harnesses to dislodge them from the tail light assembly, you can remove the tail light entirely by unscrewing the black plastic wingnuts that hold the tail light assembly in place. It may take a little bit of effort to get them started, but will allow you to see what you are doing a bit better.

Hi there,

Open the rear liftgate. On the inner edge of each tail light assembly you will find two screws. Remove the two screws. Now grasp the plastic tail light assembly firmly, and pull it strongly backwards. It is held in place with three spring-loaded clamps. Once the clamps release, it will pop out.

There are two lamp harnesses attached to the tail light assembly - one for the reverse lamp, and one for the running/brake/turn signal lamp. To remove either lamp harness from the tail light assembly, turn the harness 1/4 turn counter-clockwise, then gently pull it out of the assembly. The light bulb can be easily pulled from its socket in the lamp harness once removed from the assembly. Installation is reverse of removal.

Glad to be of help...

You may have a fried fuse. Look in your owners manual to find out which fuse it is in the fuse box diagram. If that is the problem make sure to use the same amperage fuse to replace the burned one with. I fried fuse is usually a sign that you have a short somewhere. But they can also fry for other reasons such as excess moisture somewhere. Sometimes they just burn from age and fatigue. It may solve it to just replace the fuse, but if there really is a short, the new fuse will fry too.

Tail Lights

1. Open the endgate or liftgate.
   

2. Remove the screws that retain the tail lamp assembly to the vehicle.
   

   Tail lamp assembly removal
   

3. Rotate the bulb sockets 1/4turn counter-clockwise in order to remove the bulb sockets from the tail lamp assembly.
   

4. Remove the bulbs from the sockets.
   

To install:

1. Install the bulbs into the sockets.
   

2. Install the bulb sockets to the tail lamp assembly by rotating the sockets1/4 turn clockwise.
   

3. Install the tail lamp assembly to the vehicle.
   

4. Install the screws that retain the tail lamp assembly to the vehicle. Tighten the screws to 17 inch lbs. (1.9 Nm).
   

Removal & Installation Cab/Chassis

To Remove:

1. Disconnect lamp assembly electrical connector.
2. Remove nuts and lamp assembly from bracket.
3. Remove lens screws.
4. Remove lens, gasket and bulb.

To Install:

1. Install lamp assembly and nuts to bracket.
2. Connect electrical connector.
3. Install bulb, gasket and lens.
4. Install lens screws.

Except Cab/Chassis

To Remove:

1. Lower endgate.
2. Remove 2 tail/turn signal lamp assembly retaining screws.
3. Rotate tail/turn signal lamp assembly and remove from vehicle.
4. Disconnect lamp assembly electrical connector.
5. Remove bulbs by pulling straight out of bases.

To Install:

1. Install bulbs by pushing straight into bases.
2. Connect electrical connector.
3. Install tail/turn signal lamp assembly to vehicle and secure with 2 screws.

There is 2 screws located on the side when you open your tail gate by the tail light. remove these 2 screws and pull the tail light out and disconnect the wire connector. Hope this helps.

Best of luck

to replace the GM tail light bulb, you will drop down the tail gate and you will notice 2 screws on the tail light assembly, you will remove those 2 screws with the proper screw driver, once you do that the whole tail light assembly will come off, then you will see onother 2 screws holding the light panel to the tail light assembly, or brackets holding the light panel to the tail light assembly remove either or and you will have access to the three bulbs on that light panel, replace the burnt one and follow the same intrunctions to put back.

you will need to open the trunk and remove the carpet covering the inside where the tail lights are, find 2 or 3 nuts which are probably 8 or 10 mm,so use a socket and ratchet,remove the nuts and pull the tail light asembly out from the back and you will find the tail light bulb sockets. release the little latch/lock clips while turning the socket assembly about 1/4 turn counter clockwise and you can check each bulb. watch where the wire harness for each socket and also the tail light assembly is so you dont pinch or damage the wires when putting the tail light assembly back in. your owners manual may also give you these instructions and will tell you the correct bulbs to use for tail, brake and turn signal lights.

Tail Lamp Assembly
Removal & Installation
To Remove:

1. Open the rear compartment.
2. If equipped, disconnect the cargo net.
3. Remove the wingnut and pull back the rear compartment trim panel.
4. Remove the wingnuts from the tail lamp assembly.
5. Remove the tail lamp assembly from the rear body panel.
6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the tail lamp assembly.
7. Remove the tail lamp socket by turning counterclockwise.

1. To Install:
2. Install the tail lamp socket by turning clockwise.
3. Connect the electrical connector to the tail lamp assembly.
4. Position the tail lamp assembly to the rear body panel.
5. Install and secure the wingnuts that attach the tail lamp assembly to the body panel.
6. Position the rear trim panel to the rear compartment. Install and secure the wingnut.
7. If equipped, connect the cargo net.
8. Close the rear compartment.

Please don't forget to rate !!!!!!