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help with removing rear dome light

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Old 10-26-15 | 12:20 PM
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Default help with removing rear dome light

I want to replace the front and rear dome lights with LED's. I removed the rear plastic cover but can not remove the bulb. The only thing I can grab is the glass bulb and pulled but it will not release. I see a very small black tab at the base of the bulb and tried pushing it in, to the left and right but won't budge. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Old 10-26-15 | 12:21 PM
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pic? and what size bulb?
Old 10-26-15 | 05:39 PM
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Default Pull harder!

you won't break anything, just grab the with your fingers and pull straight down.
Old 10-26-15 | 07:15 PM
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It takes some force to remove the rear dome light. Get one of those plastic prying tools and pry plastic housing one side at a time little by little. If you look closely with a flash light, there is a spot on the clip that you can press onto that will make removing those easier.
Old 10-27-15 | 06:02 AM
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I changed my interior lights to LEDs right after I got it. Dont remember any problems removing the bulbs from the dome lights, but that was over a year ago. If you are having trouble gripping the glass bulb, try looping some masking tape around it to provide a better grip. I have successfully used this trick before. Others say using latex gloves works too but I havent tried it.

Last edited by Nelexus88; 10-27-15 at 06:05 AM.
Old 10-27-15 | 06:41 AM
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Lexed is correct. The greatest fear is destroying the lens over or breaking the bulb mount inside. I too changed every bulb inside the car to LED's. The latex glove trick does work as your fingers will not slip. Pull hard.
Old 10-27-15 | 08:05 AM
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To all who posted thanks. I started with the back dome light and would not budge. I tried the front this morning and it came out relatively easy. Returned to the rear and pulled and pulled and twisted and it finally came out. Did you all put the same brightness in the map lights on each side as the dome light? I love the white look and brighter bulb. Just thought the map/reading light might be to bright.
Old 10-27-15 | 09:45 AM
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Good work! Just takes a little practice and no fear... I used T4's for all the changes including map lights - white LED's - looks beautiful at night in place of the yellow lighting.

Correction: After reading Nelexus post I realized that I too used 5 SMD T-10's. Not T-4 (I just replaced my range hood bulb - T4...) DUH!

Last edited by bc6152; 10-27-15 at 11:27 AM.
Old 10-27-15 | 10:24 AM
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I used a combination of 5 SMD and 20 SMD LEDs in the dome and map lights. All were the T10 base. The 20 SMD bulbs were slightly brighter so I ended up using them in the map lights, but I dont think it would matter, whatever you like best.
Old 10-27-15 | 04:16 PM
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Good luck!

Last edited by jbm79; 10-27-15 at 04:41 PM. Reason: Answered my own question
Old 01-25-20 | 10:08 AM
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Default rear Dome Light Lens and Housing Removal

Hi, I have a 2014 RX450h, and I want to replace the bulbs in the rear dome light. Does anyone know how to remove the cover? I was able to pry one of the front corners down some but, I can't seem to pull the rest down and I am afraid of breaking it. I have googled and searched for a video or pics on how to remove it and came up empty. The only videos on you tube are for removing the front map light unit, or to remove the back dome light for models other that the RX. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
Old 01-26-20 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by labluvr451
Hi, I have a 2014 RX450h, and I want to replace the bulbs in the rear dome light. Does anyone know how to remove the cover? I was able to pry one of the front corners down some but, I can't seem to pull the rest down and I am afraid of breaking it. I have googled and searched for a video or pics on how to remove it and came up empty. The only videos on you tube are for removing the front map light unit, or to remove the back dome light for models other that the RX. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
You remove the dome cover the same way you'd remove the front and door lenses. Go buy yourself an interior panel removal tool kit or order one online from Ebay for about $5.00. They're available at Harbor Freight. Just start with a corner and slowly go around until it becomes free... I did every light fixture in the car and the trunk and engine bay too. No lenses were broken. Just be careful and slowly pry them off.
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Old 01-27-20 | 04:48 AM
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Plastic pry tool helps big time, and the bulbs you just have to pull on it. Once you get the 1st one out you'll have a better understanding and it will be easier for the next one.
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Old 01-27-20 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bc6152
You remove the dome cover the same way you'd remove the front and door lenses. Go buy yourself an interior panel removal tool kit or order one online from Ebay for about $5.00. They're available at Harbor Freight. Just start with a corner and slowly go around until it becomes free... I did every light fixture in the car and the trunk and engine bay too. No lenses were broken. Just be careful and slowly pry them off.
Thanks for the advice. I bought the tool and was able to get the cover off.
Old 01-27-20 | 06:52 PM
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I just ordered some Sylvania LEDs from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-2825-White-Contains-Bulbs/dp/B079ZDLJ5L/ref=pd_sim_b2b_4/144-2996170-7937641?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079ZDLJ5L&pd_rd_r=c6d84d6a-2143-49f5-853c-97c6d521e5a6&pd_rd_w=DJ7FS&pd_rd_wg=vOm8l&pf_rd_p=a07701e4-f565-442a-b97f-93ab23cbb7ef&pf_rd_r=0V9814DT7GBB5B2PQVCK&psc=1&refRID=0V9814DT7GBB5B2PQVCK https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-2825-White-Contains-Bulbs/dp/B079ZDLJ5L/ref=pd_sim_b2b_4/144-2996170-7937641?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079ZDLJ5L&pd_rd_r=c6d84d6a-2143-49f5-853c-97c6d521e5a6&pd_rd_w=DJ7FS&pd_rd_wg=vOm8l&pf_rd_p=a07701e4-f565-442a-b97f-93ab23cbb7ef&pf_rd_r=0V9814DT7GBB5B2PQVCK&psc=1&refRID=0V9814DT7GBB5B2PQVCK

I've used these before in other vehicles.. they are great! It has a nice diffuser and they are top quality. Not too bright.
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