This feels like the idiot question of the year, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to replace the bulbs in my 4Runner's third brake light. I've uncrewed it from the rear door, but the rear spoiler prevents it from coming out too far. It seems like the red reflector bit needs to separate from the rest of the housing, but I can't find the mechanism.

Can anyone help my feeble brain with this?

Thanks,
MadCityRich
'02 4Runner Ltd.

 

take the two screws out of ea side of the deflector sit aside then the 2 screws holding the light

 

yep, seems like a lot of work just to replace a bulb, but that's what i had to do as well. it just won't come out unless the spoiler is off but, as said above, it's only 6 screws and you're done!

 

I'd be nice if you didn't have to remove the wing of the rear spoiler to replace the bulb, but you do.

 

Almost - the screws in the back of the reflector cannot be reached unless you have a very short 90 degree angle screw driver. I didn't.

I removed the rear spoiler with the proper Torx socket. That gave me full access. Then the wiring harness could be disconnected. The two screws in the back of the housing didn't need to come out at all.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner

 

wow your 4runner has torx ? my 99 has simple phillips on my spoiler.

wait, maybe that ain't the best thing ?

 

Yep, Torx. I was surprised. But Torx is always a good thing, in my mind. Toyota uses them in some odd places, but who am I to question...

And I'm talking an internal Torx bolt head, not an external Torx bolt head for the spoiler wing. Just FYI.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner

 

I replaced mine last summer. Mine had torx as well...

 

What kind of bulb is it? I was going to replace mine this weekend as someone just told me it was out..

 

You need a 921 bulb if your light is the same as mine, which it probably is. Sylvania and all the other bulb makers use the same type. You only need one, but most come in a two pack.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner