Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

I need to the replace the driver side tail light assembly (NOT just a bulb) on my 2002 CR-V. Problem: the plug is not accessible when I remove the old assembly.

How do I get access to the area above the wheel well so I can plug the new assembly in? Thanks.

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

huh??? wut do u mean the plug is not accessible? the plugs with the bulbs twist.. so they should be easy to remove. it should be pretty straight forward held by two screws. just remove those screws and just yank em and off they go!

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

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Step 1:
Determine which taillight needs replacing. Open your CR-V
rear hatch. Look inside the vehicle directly behind where the taillight is located on the outside.
*
Step 2:
Look for two flat, black discs about the same diameter as a dime. Use a screwdriver or pliers to pry off the discs.
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Step 3:
Remove both parts of the disc mechanism, the grommet and the plug. Push the plug backwards (toward the outside of the Dodge Caravan) through the grommet.
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Step 4:
Hold on to the lens assembly as you remove the second grommet. The CR-V
lens assembly can fall off and break.
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Step 5:
Note the wiring inside that connects to a plug. Near the wiring, you should see two round covers with tabs on either side. These are bulb housings and they contain the bulbs.
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Step 6:
Press inward on the tabs and pull to remove the covers. Pull out the old bulb and push in a new one. Squeeze inward on the tabs again to replace the covers on the bulb housing. You should hear a snap if the covers are properly replaced.
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Step 7:
Check the taillight to make sure it works properly with the new bulb in place. Push the wiring back in and replace the lens assembly.

Tips & Warnings

* Disconnect the battery before you touch any of your car's electrical components. :)

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

Thanks guys, but it's the ENTIRE ASSEMBLY I need to replace, not the individual bulbs (the lens was smashed). The plug for the entire assembly goes into a hole in the sheet metal of the car where the assembly gets mounted, and I need to know how to get access behind that sheet metal to plug the assembly in.

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

Per service manual. Looks like once you pull the body grommet "D" out then you just pull the harness through the hole in the body to unplug the connector "A" you're referring to.

Attachment 459788

1. Open the tailgate.

2. Remove the rear side trim panel.

3. Disconnect the 6P connector (A) from the taillight.

4. Remove the mounting bolt cover from the taillight.

5. Remove the mounting bolts from the taillight.

6. Pull the taillight away from the body to disengage the three clips (C).

7. Remove the taillight harness grommet (D) from the body. Pull the harness and the 6P connector out of the body, and disconnect the connector. Remove the taillight.

8. Turn the bulb socket 450 counterclockwise to remove the bulb socket.

9. Install the taillight in the reverse order of removal, and run water over it to make sure it does not leak.

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

once u got the tailight loose, just go twist the bulb connectors and slap that onto the new tailight assembly... easy as pie.

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

Was there ever a response to this question? I have the same issue. The plug cannot be pulled through the hole in the sheet metal.

Re: Tail light assembly - how do I replace it?
 

You have to loosen the interior panel to get to the wiring plug. loosen any visible screws and bolts, then gently pry the plastic panel back until you can pull the panel back enough to get to the plug. I thought this was going to be easy. Not so much.