Burned out brake light

to remove the tail light asm from2003-2004 rio you will need to remove the three nuts inside and also pull carpet back to take a good look at the rear of the lamp, you will then need a plastic wedge to go behind the light and body on the outter edge this will release the pinch stud on the end of the lamp and out comes the lens asm, hope this helps, good day.

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Parts:

3157 Brake light

How to Remove bulb:

Remove the Lamp unit from the end of the quarter panel.

"Open tailgate to access and remove the two screws that secure the inboard side of the rear lamp unit to the side of the tailgate. (see Figure) Pull the outboard side of the rear lamp unit rearward (away from the end of the quarter panel) far enough to unsnap the two ball studs on the outboard side of the lamp housing from the plastic nuts in the quarter panel."

Change Bulb:

See Figure

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open trunk and pull back carpet around light. Remove 2 nuts, then the tail light needs to be pulled out because it is held in by a clip that can be snug at times. Once out you have access to all lights on that side.

The procedure is as follows:-- Working from the trunk:
1. locate the 2 retaining knobs (doohickeys that you fasten the trunk cargo net to) for the Hard plastic trunk liner near to and inside of the rear light assembly. Unscrew the knobs.
2. Pulling back the plastic liner, locate the 4 studs (threaded posts). 3 will be located vertically in a line, the fourth, outboard and lower. Using a 10mm wrench(small), remove 3 of the 4 nuts fastening the light assembly to the body. DO NOT remove the lowest nut of the 3 in a vertical line, as this does not fasten the light assembly. DON'T LOSE THE NUTS OR WASHERS.

Working from the rear of the car:
1. Hand pull the light assembly from the car body.
2. Remove bad lamp. Twist lamp socket and pull out of assembly. Pull lamp and replace with #3057.
Reassemble:
1. Test light prior to reassembly.
2. Ensure Gasket material for assembly and studs is intact, this keeps water/dust out and dampens movement (prevents rattling and increases the life of lamp).
3. Use Reverse instruction for reassembly. -------------- The taillight/backup light/license plate light assembly is separate from the brake light/turn signal light assembly on the Buick LeSabre. No matter what rear bulb you have to replace, you must access the trunk area to do so. Open the trunk of the Buick LeSabre.Locate 7 nuts underneath the trunk lid (3 on each end of the trunk lid and 1 in the middle). Remove each one using a nut driver.Manipulate the trunk lid at chest level and gently pull the rear taillight assembly slightly away from the trunk lid.Locate the burned out bulb sockets and then remove the bulbs. Insert the new bulbs into the socket and test by turning on the lights before reassembling.Replace the tail light assembly by aligning the studs inside the predrilled holes in the trunk lid. Refasten the 7 nuts.Remove the cargo net if applicable to replace the brake and/or turn signal light.Unscrew the plastic wingnut that the cargo net is attached to. Pull back the trunk liner.Remove the 2 plastic wingnuts under the trunk liner.Pull the brake light assembly outward from the back of the LeSabre.Locate the socket of the burned out bulb and then turn counter clockwise 1/4-inch to release it from the assembly.Remove the old bulb from the socket and replace with a new one. Test the light before reassembling. Thanks. Keep updated for any more query. You can rate this solution and show your appreciation.

From inside the trunk, behind the carpet that covers the back of the taillight. You will need to remove the retaining nuts.

The tail light assembly is attached to the Trunk Lid itself. You must use a deep socket and remove 7 nuts.. 3 from each side and one in the center. The entire back end assembly will come free. All bulbs are the same P161-1a (P161 1 AMP) they are the size of your small finger nail and not easy to find. Try to buy 2-3 before you start the job. I thought I had 1 bulb burned out, but it ended up being 3. Give the bulb sockets an 1/8 turn clockwise to release it, then pull the bulb straight out. Reverse the order for assembly. They look like little flash bulbs from the old 120 flim cameras.

Hope helped (remember comment and rated this).

Removing:

• Switch off all electrical consumers, switch off ignition key and remove ignition key.
• Remove rear luggage compartment side panel trim (left or right).

• Remove 3 nuts, arrows, and remove housing.
• Remove bulb holder.

Installing:

• Install bulb holder.
• Insert housing into body opening.
• Tighten nuts.
• Install applicable rear luggage compartment side panel trim.

Rear Light Bulb Holder Removing And Installing:
Removing:

• Disconnect electrical connector.
• Depress retainers, arrows, and remove bulb holder.

Installing:

• Install in reverse order of removal.

And the Center Mounted Brake Lamp.
High mount Brake Light Removing And Installing:
The high mount brake light is installed in the rear shelf.
Removing:

• Switch off all electrical consumers, switch off ignition key and remove ignition key.
• Disconnect electrical connector from high mount brake light.
• Remove rear shelf
• Un-clip high-mount brake light from rear shelf, arrows.
• Install in reverse order of removal.

NOTE: The bulb holder base plate contains soldered- in light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are not replaceable. In the event of LED malfunction, replace complete bulb holder.
Additional

Bulbs are not servicable have to replace as an assembly.

Rear tail lamps for the 2002 La Sabre has eight nuts that hold the cover in place ( one piece-all acroos the back of the car). Do not remove the nuts for the lock, the cover sits in place and is not secured to the lock. Use a 10 mm deep well socket. remove the nuts and lift the cover to replace the burned out bulb(s). The bulbs are #194 or #198 (very small bulbs), not the 3057. It is easy to locate the burned out bulbs by putting the car in reverse and shutting off the engine and then put the ignition key in the accessory mode. The lights will light unless they are burned out. Simply pull them out and replace with the new ones and put the cover back in place and secure the nuts.

open trunk,

remove felt liner from rear of trunk, (liner directly behind rear lights in side trunk) should be 4 plastic Phillips head screws. Loosing screws, then slowly peel liner away. You will see 3 nuts on each side, removing these nuts will loosing the rear light lenses, so you can pull the lense away from the body from the out side to gain access to the license plate bulbs. Re-install in reverse order. While in there I would recommend replacing your brake light and reverse light bulb. Hey your already in there might as well do a little preventive maintance.

The bulb in the rear light has burned out and to replace it follow these instructions: 1) go to your owner's manual to find out the part number. You can find and purchase the replacement bulb at Target, any auto parts store and even at Walmart for under $4.00; 2) pop open the trunk door; 3) get a phillips screw driver and unscrew the 2 screws holding the rear brake light fixture to your car body; 4) as soon as you turn over the fixture you'll see where to pull out the burned out bulb and replace it with the new one(s). Good luck!