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Reverse Lights: Changing the bulb.

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Old Oct 23, 2016 | 07:51 PM
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Default Reverse Lights: Changing the bulb.

I have a 2012 GS CE and I'm considering changing out the factory reverse bulbs for brighter LED bulbs. Couple of questions for those of you who have either done this or just changed a burnt out factory bulb.

1) I can lay on the ground, reach up behind the diffusor and feel the bulb housing plug but obviously can't see anything. I'm guessing a turn to the left or right releases it from the light housing?

2) Once it's released, is their plenty of extra wiring to pull the plug down and out so it hangs below the diffusor to replace a bulb?

3) Or is their a completely different recommended way of doing this?

I couldn't find a DIY picture thread on this task and I don't want to release the bulb plug and not be able to get it back in! I'm hoping a person doesn't have to try and figure out how to take off the rear diffusor to just change out a reverse light bulb. If that's the case I won't mess with it.

Thanks in advance for the help!
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Old Oct 23, 2016 | 09:35 PM
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It's been a while so I'm not 100% but you remove the outer tail light and reach down to disconnect the back-up socket.
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Old Oct 23, 2016 | 10:19 PM
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The answers to 1 and 2 is yes. It's a long reach, though, while lying on your back. I lifted the back of the car up to jack stand height to make it easier to see what I was doing. You'll appreciate the extra brightness of the LED's.

Last edited by Tally Ho; Oct 23, 2016 at 10:20 PM.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 12:21 AM
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I used a floor jack / stand to raise it a few extra feet. I could then see what I was doing to a point.

Still need to contort somewhat to reach up there though, at least for me. If you are tall but slender it would be easier.

The old ones were 1/4 turn, the replacements were on an extension wire and was basically a rubber grommet around the bulb seat, so they just popped in.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 02:37 PM
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Did both my Grandsports from underneath.

Jacked up the rear of the car and undid one of the bumper cover screws to facilitate access. Took me longer to get jack out of the garage than it did to install the two bulbs.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 03:11 PM
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I just used raceramps to get to mine. Could probably have done it on the ground. Plenty of wire to change the bulb. Not really as much as I'd have liked for the LED install. I used a JWM LED kit. Makes a HUGE difference.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by LoganExplosion
I just used raceramps to get to mine. Could probably have done it on the ground. Plenty of wire to change the bulb. Not really as much as I'd have liked for the LED install. I used a JWM LED kit. Makes a HUGE difference.
Did the same. They have the directions at their link site too

http://jwmotorsportsllc.com/C6-Corve...bs-_p_156.html

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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 08:48 PM
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Thanks again for the information on the install tips and the JWM option. I have never heard of the JWM's or their light package. I've been looking at a few places that sell the bulbs that plug into the existing plug without any type of adapter.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Warden398
Thanks again for the information on the install tips and the JWM option. I have never heard of the JWM's or their light package. I've been looking at a few places that sell the bulbs that plug into the existing plug without any type of adapter.
FYI - JWMotorsports is no longer in business. (even though you can still get to the website)
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 09:13 PM
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Good to know....

and I like the ZR1 Splitter on your car ncvette 1FUNRIDE. Looks good!
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