Puddle lights in door

[MapleOreo]

Have any of you replaced these?
If so, how did you remove them?
Pop them out from the bottom, or remove the door card and do it from the back?

 

[netsinah]

Several people say they've been able to carefully pry the OEM "puddle light" out of its slot, unplug it, then plug-in and insert the after-market in the same slot. A few people have commented that their after-market "puddle light" isn't a perfect fit, so they've had to wedge it in, for a tight fit.

I'm now working on my doors and attached are 2 photos: the first showing the "puddle-light" at the bottom of the driver side door; the second sideways view showing a closer view of the inside of the door, again with its wiring harness unplugged and in place. The harness was easily unplugged, so I don't see why you can't do this job, w/o taking the door apart. Hope this helps you visualize the set-up.

 

[MapleOreo]

Thanks for the response.
I'm not sure about getting a tool in there around the lip of the light to push on the tab to release it.
I may be better off removing the door card to access it.
Is the door card simple to remove?
Looks to be only a couple screws.

 

[kitkat]

Absolutely not necessary to remove the door card, get a screwdriver or pick in between the edge and the bottom of the door and pull it down. Making this more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[crashprash]

Absolutely not necessary to remove the door card, get a screwdriver or pick in between the edge and the bottom of the door and pull it down. Making this more complicated than it needs to be.

Are you supposed to start prying from the front or the back ? Tried the other and it was quite tight so didn't want to snap any clips etc

 

[kitkat]

Are you supposed to start prying from the front or the back ? Tried the other and it was quite tight so didn't want to snap any clips etc

Front of door, that’s where the spring clip is. The oem ones are kinda just wedged in there, start from the front give it a good tug downwards once you’ve got the lip of it.

 

[chirowolf]

Front of door, that’s where the spring clip is. The oem ones are kinda just wedged in there, start from the front give it a good tug downwards once you’ve got the lip of it.

I was able to work then off from the side where the clips are slightly smaller. Allows you to get a small screwdriver in to compress the clips front and back

 

[netsinah]

Knowing the set-up of the "puddle light" (the one end longer, with the wiring harness plugged in to it), use a thin pry tool around the edges to slowly work the OEM light down, then ease it forward with the harness end at the rear and initially, still out of site. Once you've got it out enough and exposed the harness, unplug it, then plug in the replacement and re-insert...done. By going slowly, you shouldn't do any damage.

 

[allenyao09]

I removed the door card for the installation. You don't have to do that but it's easier to access with the door card detached.

 

[chirowolf]

I removed the door card for the installation. You don't have to do that but it's easier to access with the door card detached.

how many bolts for the door card? I saw one in the handle when installing my light. Is it just one and clips?

 

[Blackthought_]

You literally pop out the light in like 5 seconds with a small screw driver. Like others have said no need to take off the door panel