I'm trying to take out the assembly for the backup lights from the inside of the trunk lid in a 2004 Mazda3 sedan (we're going to tint them). Unfortunately, I'm not sure what I'm up against. It's a bit difficult to see because the inside of the trunk lid is also lined with Dynamat. Anyway, we removed the 10mm nut from the assembly, and that's all we can see holding them in place, but they don't budge. Any idea what else is holding the assembly in place? From the underside of the trunk, you can see a plastic piece that may be holding things in place, but I'm afraid if we pull to hard on that we might break something? Any ideas?

First picture shows the little plastic piece on the trunk which may be holding it into place. The other picture is just the inside of the trunk where the 10mm nut was.

Thanks,

joe.

 

The backup lights have the two screws only, the other part that sticks them in is weatherstripping. So just push on the center of the trunk side first and it should peel off of the paint.

Caution - when re-installing the lights, put the little plastic clips on the light assembly to hold them from falling off. When they fall, it's down into the trunk lid and it takes a little work to get back out.


If anyone is looking to remove the corner lights - There are white pins which have small ribs / edges on them so it will hold the light in place during assembly before the screws are on. Don't pull on the light, but either tap on the white pins, or squeze in the snap corners with pliers & push them through the metal. After taking them out once or twice they can be pulled out more easily as the snaps wear down.

Not sure how you can get into the light to tint them - or will you add tint on the outside and wrap it over the edges?

Good luck in any case.

 

there should be a white plastic piece inside ur trunk that helps hold them in.