Removing Map Light Bulbs...Help?

[TXBoy]

I have swapped all factory bulbs to LED bulbs. But, I cannot remove the map light bulbs. Am I missing something, maybe a clip? I cannot get a grip on either one to pull them down and out. Is there a trick? There is very little room inside the housing, I have tried pliers, tweezers, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks-

Stubby fingers in Texas

 

[R.A.]

If they are like the 4th Gen, use some electrical tape - put it on both sides and pull it out.

(I got fat fingers....!)

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

I have swapped all factory bulbs to LED bulbs. But, I cannot remove the map light bulbs. Am I missing something, maybe a clip? I cannot get a grip on either one to pull them down and out. Is there a trick? There is very little room inside the housing, I have tried pliers, tweezers, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks-

Stubby fingers in Texas

Learned this from an installer. Loosely crumple up a piece of masking tape with the sticky side out. Push the ball onto the exposed part of the bulb and try to get part of your fingers around the bulb. Grab it and pull. I have fat fingers and it was really easy (once I saw the trick).

 

[GrantK]

I wrapped the jaws of needle nose pliers in about 3 layers of electrical tape then gentle grabbed the bulb as close to the base as possible. I didn't have any problem but would advise wearing safety goggles in case the bulb breaks raining glass down on your face.

Also be aware that putting the new ones in takes a little finesse as well. I used a camping head lamp to get as much direct lighting as possible. The used the needle nose pliers to VERY gently hold the bulb while I applied pressure on the end to seat it.

 

[H2O_Doc]

I just did the same thing 5 minutes ago. One bulb popped out easily with tape and a gentle tug. I broke the other (the caution above is appropriate) and had to use needle nose pliers to pull the base out.

Worth the trouble, but do it right.

 

[R.A.]

Carpet tape works real well too.

I wrapped carpet tape around Kelly clamps (forceps) (could of used a small needle nose pliers too but this was skinnier) and was able to pull out the tiny light in the glovebox on the 4th Gen without having to disengage the light protector/cage (which is more of a pita to get down than the light.) I replaced the light with an LED using the same method.

 

[zepjet]

The easiest way, in my opinion, is to remove the two bolts (10mm?), drop the console, detach the electrical connector, twist/remove the bulb sockets, replace the bulbs, and put the console back in place. It takes less than a minute to complete and is the designed method for replacing the bulbs.

 

[GrantK]

Trail Edition's don't have the screws, there are off-road controls there.

 

[eddiebx]

Trail Edition's don't have the screws, there are off-road controls there.

Pop off the crawl control panel first and then remove the two bolts

After that I think there's only 2 clips at the front two corners holding it on if I recall correctly.

 

[Go JayBee]

Ya, I was doing an LED upgrade last week. And what should have only taken 30 seconds per side to change the Map Lights, took 2 days before I was able to figure out how to get at those sockets.

I had to remove the upper console on my TE, only because I ended up losing the socket while trying to remove the bulb. Was using a short length of vinyl tubing that fit really snug around the lamp, almost had it out but (this is where I screwed up), turned the bulb while pushing up on it. When I pulled back on the tubing the bulb came out, but the socket was rattling around inside the console.

On the Trail Edition, as "eddiebx" states, it is fairly easy to remove the console if you know what you are doing. You need a small screwdriver to release the Crawl Control Panel at the windshield side. You will see 2 small slots. Unplug the connector, remove 2 screws hidden by that panel, then pull on the remaining console until it releases from 2 friction pins closest to you. Once you remove the main wiring connecter, you will see the circuit board where the sockets are twisted into. When I got the socket put back in place, it did not feel very tight. So I ended up putting a small dab of adhesive between the socket and the board. There will be no more un-twisting of those sockets.

 

[enduro]

check this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/658251-post86.html

Good luck!

 

[Go JayBee]

I have swapped all factory bulbs to LED bulbs. But, I cannot remove the map light bulbs. Am I missing something, maybe a clip? I cannot get a grip on either one to pull them down and out. Is there a trick? There is very little room inside the housing, I have tried pliers, tweezers, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks-

Stubby fingers in Texas

I have read another tip for removing stubborn bulbs. Try latex gloves...will give you better grip.

I do know what you mean about those Map Lights. Mine were stuck really tight.

 

[TXBoy]

R.A. Is the smartest man alive!!!!!!

I am the the dumbest!!!!!

Electrical tape worked great, took 5 seconds to replace each side...

Thanks!!!

 

[R.A.]

R.A. Is the smartest man alive!!!!!!

I am the the dumbest!!!!!

Electrical tape worked great, took 5 seconds to replace each side...

Thanks!!!

You're welcome!

Lot of great tips on this thread.

I thought one of the best was the latex gloves. I have them but don't always use them.

 

[Orlyg1521]

light

go with Zepjet's advice, it took me less than 5 min to remove the console and swap out the bulbs from the inside

 

[flyrv9]

Another way to get small bulbs out is to push a piece of small rubber tubing over the bulb. Then pull the bulb out by grabbing the tubing close to the bulb. The tubing will grip the bulb allowing you to pull it out.

 

[GiGi's 1996]

go with Zepjet's advice, it took me less than 5 min to remove the console and swap out the bulbs from the inside

Is this how 2014 4R owners are changing out these bulbs? I am so frustrated right now. I have SR5 4x4 and these damn bulbs are stuck in good. I tried the electrical tape trick, no workie for me, tried pliers, something that should be so easy is wrecking my night.

How does this console detach from headliner?

 

[Swarty]

super glue

Is this how 2014 4R owners are changing out these bulbs? I am so frustrated right now. I have SR5 4x4 and these damn bulbs are stuck in good. I tried the electrical tape trick, no workie for me, tried pliers, something that should be so easy is wrecking my night.

How does this console detach from headliner?

You aren't trying to save the bulbs. Just superglue a stick to them and throw it away.

 

[MikeDUBS]

I had to remove the upper console on my TE, only because I ended up losing the socket while trying to remove the bulb. Was using a short length of vinyl tubing that fit really snug around the lamp, almost had it out but (this is where I screwed up), turned the bulb while pushing up on it. When I pulled back on the tubing the bulb came out, but the socket was rattling around inside the console.

I did this exact same thing. Glad I'm not the only one!

 

[NoDak]

Is this how 2014 4R owners are changing out these bulbs? I am so frustrated right now. I have SR5 4x4 and these damn bulbs are stuck in good. I tried the electrical tape trick, no workie for me, tried pliers, something that should be so easy is wrecking my night.

How does this console detach from headliner?

yeah after about 10+ mins I gave up and just shattered the bulb. pulled out just nicely after that, even then they were still hard to pull out with needle nose.

I got the left side out with needle nose after about 5 mins w/o shattering the bulb, but the right side I just said GTFOut.