# Changing brake light

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-brake-light/14126>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 17, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-brake-light/14126 "2008-05-17T04:15:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![keylanut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@keylanut](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keylanut)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-brake-light/14126/1 "2008-05-17T04:15:45Z")

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Is is possible for me to change my brake light bulb on my Nissan Altima without taking it to the dealer. I had to have the dealer change my headlight. It was a nightmare getting to it.

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**Author:** ![budd2049](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@budd2049](https://community.cartalk.com/u/budd2049)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-brake-light/14126/2 "2008-05-17T05:29:50Z")

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A brake lightblub should be pretty easy. You either unscrew and remove the light fixture, or remove a panel inside the trunk. Turn the wire harness halfway, and out comes the bulb.

Definitely no need to go to the overcharg–…I mean, dealer just for this.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 11:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-brake-light/14126/3 "2008-05-17T11:37:58Z")

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Headlights can sometimes be tricky but brake light bulbs are straightforward. Open your trunk and inspect the rear of the taillight assembly. You’ll figure it out.

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**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-brake-light/14126/4 "2008-05-17T13:38:14Z")

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Brake lights are easy on some cars. On my Sienna mini-van, I tried and tried to get the lens off the hatch. I gave up and took it to the mechanic. I discovered here on this URL that on my mini-van the hatch has to be torn apart to access the lens holders. The front turn signals are also a nightmare.