Hi Jim! I wanted to take the time to thank you for taking the time to make and post this video. I've put over 100,000 miles on this 07 Sonata, and today is the first time I've had a working center brake light on this car!! That's thanks to you! I have spent whole days in the past trying to replace the bulb through the little square hole in the trunk. I also tried gently prying the light housing from the back seat too...no go. I know there are two bulbs rattling around up in there from past tries. There was some bleeding, and quite a bit of swearing involved with those tries. I came VERY close to pulling out the dye grinder and cutting an access hole right where the Hyundai engineers should have put it! I still have trouble imagining how they could have done worse on this design. It's obvious that it was not designed at all really, just an "after-thought" that makes what should be a very simple job replacing a bulb a nightmare!! I own the car so I had no problem cutting off the stupid 1" long fin on the light socket, and two of the tabs on the light housing that make it even more difficult to remove and re-install the housing on the rear window deck. So, thanks againJim for helping me make my car a little safer!!!!!
I clipped the long plastic stem off of the light bulb socket so that it can be inserted into the fixture and then the whole fixture snapped into place as a unit. Also, you can see the screw behind the felt at a steep angle through the rectangular hole on the left side. It really helps when putting it back together.
Before reading your comment, I realized the 3/4" tang on the underside of the light bulb socket was the issue making the replacement of the bulb SO difficult. I used diagonal pliers to cut that long plastic tail from the bottom of the bulb socket and the whole thing assembled easily from above the rear shelf and (with some gentle urging) slid into place on the shelf. I also attached an 18" piece of string to the wire connector coming off the bulb socket to help fish the connector into the laterally displaced opening inside the trunk, where it connects to the matching (powered) connector. My thoughts: 1) Long tang on bottom of bulb socket "would" be useful if the bulb socket base could be accessed from WITHIN the trunk. 2) Hyundai seems to have used a bulb socket from another application (location) which makes its use for the 3rd brakelight extremely difficult to replace. And 3) All that WOULD have been needed was for Hyundai to place an adequately-sized access opening directly below the bulb socket. In that case, the long tab would have been very useful in quickly and easily changing a blown 3rd brakelight bulb. Anyway - after
I took my car to get inspected and the mechanic didn’t know how to take the back light off and that was the only thing holding me back from a clean inspection. Thanks to your video I was able to do in 45 minutes well I’m sure a dealership would’ve taken a day or two to do. Thank you very much I really appreciate the help you’ve provided today have a great day and God bless.
Hey, Jim: I just discovered something that might help some others with that stupid third light. After several hours of in and out of the trunk and trying to find those damned screws and then trying to get it back in after installing the new LED bulb, I was ready to re-install the thing and had all sorts of problems getting it back in. Three times I had to take the bottom plate off the light housing to retrieve the bulb after it fell off in there. Finally I put it in and added a couple of drops of super glue to the base. No more falling out. The next problem was getting the thing back in place. I finally said "Enough!" and grabbed my diagonal cutters and cut that long tail off of the socket. I cut it just short of the round piece. The extra plastic served no purpose as far as I could see so off it came. I put the socket in the housing and the whole mess slid right into place with a little coaxing. Put the two screws back in and done. Take a look at that long tail next time you have to do one. Cutting it off makes things a LOT easier. I have to agree with you on the utter stupidity of this thing.
This is the way to go... Was very simple doing this. I too wondered what was under that tape wrap and this is the DEVINE answer. They just over modified this piece but for no good reason but to fleece you at the stealership and whatnot. Thank you for simplifying this tedious mess.😀
I followed another procedure where part of the socket is cut off while it is out. This allows the lamp to be re-installed into the housing, with plenty of clearance to put the housing back in. That is what I did on mine. Worked well.
My man!! The dealership said they’d replace it for $140!!! Thanks to you and this video, I just replaced it, took me 1/2 hour (gotta get around some stereo equipment). Thank you for the perfect instructions!!
LMAO 140$? Isn't that quite a joke that the dealers would charge that for something that should be quick for people who know the cars. Absolutely wild! But at least you took the time to learn and do it yourself save money. I was doing the same as you 👍
Lol I was one of the ppl you were talking about in the beginning of your vid. I went in myself at first thinking no biggie and then was like wtf . Thank for your information and knowledge.
I can not tell you how much I appreciate this video! The first one I saw told me to take apart my whole back panel. Although difficult, this was so much easier! Thank you!!
THANKS! I just got finished watching another video where they wanted me to take out the rear seat side cushions, the back ledge(?) cover, and some other crap just to get to the bulb. Your way is MUCH better. Appreciate it. Oh and 2:10 "I'm too old for this stuff". You and me both, sir. :)
Thank you for this life saving video Jim. I sweared so much at first at Hyundai then after a week calmed down. The job was a nightmare and I was about to throw the towel in until I checked your video out. Wow, Hyundai are a real pain in the butt. My back still aches from changing a single light bulb. Jim, thanks again, great job.
Wow ! Yes those Engineers really are brilliant ! They never think about the guy that has to replace the bulb for sure. I came up with a few new cuss words myself changing mine abut 2 years ago on a 2009. I wish I saw this video then. Great job. Have a Happy New Year. I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming. Thanks Jim. Bill😊
I failed the NYS inspection due to this. Mechanic said 80 dollars since it’s a pain to replace and would take them roughly 2 hours. With this video, took me 10 minutes and $6. You are great!
Did not pass NYS inspection - unfortunately I am pass the 30 days because I was out of state. Just need to pay an extra 37 for another inspection formality. This was weighing on my mind while I was away until you walked me through. Job was completed in 30 hard minutes. Thank you so much, sir.
jim I am a hyundai tech and at the dealership i had a 2010 just now and there is a trick long needle nose pliers to turn counter clock wise from the top and let the bulb drop out from the bottom then the plastic has to be cut to put it back in this is the beast way I know how to describe this its a real pain in the but. there are 2 screws and they are a pain to see from under the trunk its had for me to fit at my size . so u need a lite and a long phillip driver
I was the guy at 0.40...thought I would fix it without reading any books or youtube and dived right in ...then WTF .....thanks for sharing your vid, advice and guidance ....appreciation from Canada
Holy crap! Just finished this job (sort of) and it was so frustrating overcoming the poor design of this system. (1) the location of the two mounting screws is hard enough, but Hyundai's access to them makes no sense. The left side (as the car drives) access screw isn't too bad. The right side is covered with insulation (the adhesive foam) whose only purpose is to block access to the screw. Then, as if that's not bad enough, the port (hole) in the sheet metal to access that screw is not quite lined up right...the screwdriver has to pivot a little on a slant. The only way to overcome this is to crouch on your back and position yourself inside the trunk at angles that your spine can't handle for long. You have to SEE the screw through the hole in order to access it. No way I was ever going to get it by touch and feel. (2) The gray carpeted panel below the rear window (inside the cabin) is a total cluster*&^% of a design. You see where his right thumb is resting at 07:56 in the video. If that stupid bump wasn't there, you'd have plenty of room to lift up the light assembly to twist left - pull out, or twist right, push in the light bulb. Instead, you have to do what he does and try to finesse the bulb holder into the hole of the light assembly....with hardly any wiggle room. And you HAVE to use needle nose pliers....it aint' happening with your fingers. I tried about 10 times to twist my new bulb in ...no luck. FIVE times, the damn bulb fell inside the assembly itself, and I had to take THAT apart. Finally...I said f*&^ it...it's an older car, and I cut out a 1 inch by 1 inch square hole where his thumb is at 07:56. After doing that, there's plenty of room to pull out the assembly far enough to twist in the bulb, and then put the lighting assembly back into it's place on the rear felt panel. All Hyundai needed to do here was put a plastic access snap panel where I did my cutout. I guess I'll get some grey velcro and cover it up with some custom decorative design. He must have had trouble, too, with the re-insertion of the bulb. At 08:19, you can see a cut in the video where I imagine a LOT of time passed for his as well. Looks like the daylight outside has almost turned to night! 😆 Nice job on this video, sir. You really helped me appreciate the complexity of this system!
Hi. I just wanted to say thank you for making this guide. I just replaced mine on a 2006 model. Most difficult part was the screws. After removing those, I just used my fingers to dislodge the bulb after prying the assembly out. After replacing, i just forced the contraption with the bulb in. Ezpz lemon cars.
I just changed the one in my son's 2008 Hyundai Sonata out for the second time. This time I put in an LED bulb that gives three quick flashes when the break pedal is pressed and then goes solid. What a PITA to change! If I ever have to change it out again, I'm bringing out the 2" metal hole saw and drilling a nice big hole in the metal plate below the bulb location. At 59 years old and almost 300 pounds, I could have sold tickets to those who would have never believed that I could have gotten into and out of that trunk.
Thanks for this. My lamp holder was already partially dislodged, so I was able to change the bulb from inside the trunk without removing the reflector case from inside the cabin.
Hi Jim - - - could you of cut the two wires then splice and solder two longer wires together to make much easier to dismantle and pit it all back together - if it was all possible - just a thought - because my son has a Hyundai Sonata and if ever had to do this job like you just did I will personally do what my plan is - thanks for the video . Happy New Year to You and all Your Family
Absolutely no need to cut & resplice. Wouldn't make it any easier. The longer (driver side) screw holds the powered connector half into the bottom of the shelf and you can disconnect the bulb socket wire tail from here and completely remove the bulb socket and wire tail from the top side (car interior) of the rear shelf. 18" of string tied onto this wire tail can be fished from above the shelf into the laterally displaced opening inside the trunk where you push together the 2 halves of the existing connector.
@@jimthecarguy The shop called me..... yah, it's at least an hour of labor..... $120.00 for a lightbulb! I'm look, no, Hell no! Directed them to your video, got it done for the original estimate, 24.95!!! You rock Jimmy!!
thank you so much for the video!! if there’s one thing i’ve learned from taking apart and reassembling parts of my hyundai is that there’s a LOT of dicking around involved in order to get things loose. i’ll never understand why they made this car so difficult to disassemble 🤷♀️
Jim I own a 09 sonata, I drilled right thought the metal inside the trunk, right in between, where you unscrewed the two screws, for eazy replacement, about a 3 an half inch size hole..
I remember changing the headlight assembly too on my Sonata too as well as one time with the bulb change too, huge pain in my you know what to conquer those seemingly simple jobs.
Thank you SO MUCH! I got my car inspected today and that break light was out. The auto repair store told me it could take them about 2 hours and charge me $60. I was like .. no. So I googled you and I fixed it all by myself ! But yes. I agree. They were not the smartest engineers thinking about this lol
Just had to do this.. I wound up cutting the long part of the socket down to the wires. Turn it into the lens, and you can squeeze the whole thing back into the spot. Only thing I couldn't get back in was the screws.. But the light works.
I cannot even tell you how frustrating that was! I dropped both bulbs down the freakin thing and will have to take the whole thing apart to get the bulbs and replace the light. Stupid fuckin engineers! How the fuck did u think we can get that! Took me 2hrs and still couldn't do it! A fucking bulb!
Thank you for making this video. F the engineer who designed that. A couple extra plastic clips on the cover and they wouldn't need the screws, a few more inches of wire and you could pull the whole housing out to twist the bulb.
It took 2 people, a lot of cursing, and an hour to accomplish this. It's by far my ONLY disappointment in Hyundai to date - and I have had my car for 12 years with no complaints. She is a beast, and has 200K+ miles on her - but this was total nonsense....what the heck were those engineers thinking!
Hey folks great video. Let me tell u A GOOD TIP. Removal is pretty much how u showed it, long needle nose. Installation much easier cut the bottom of the plastic bulb socket off up to where the wires go into it.Gives about an inch more clearance . Your just cutting off a thin tab that was designed to aid removal and installation with your fingertips HAD THE HOLE BEEN CUT IN THE PROPER PLACE IN THE TRUNK. You still have to finesse the housing in a bit but it works. If it was my car I would just take a hole saw underneath it .But, It would never be my car.
I think I will give this a try. However, once the bulb socket is removed, I am going to cut the wires and extend them so it is easier to maneuver. I'll also cut that silly tab off too.
I just want to know what little Korean rectal orifice designed this mess? My 2010 Sonata has the same problem and the Haynes manual was less than useful. Now that I've seen your video and another I think I can do it. I'm 80 years and too old to be doing this stuff. :-)
It's a lot easier to do than you were showing. All you have to do is take a long pair of pliers go in the trunk put them up in there and grab a hold of the plastic part of the light and turn it pull it down through the hole change the bulb and put it back.
Thanks very much. When an expert calls this design stupid and a pain in the rear, it’s as though Hyundai went out of their way to make this difficult. I have an 09 Sonata and it burns out bulbs more than any car I ever had. However, it has 203k miles and runs great. My 2016 Sonata is crap. 35k miles and the white paint is chipping and Hyundai won’t do anything about it. Simple solution, will NEVER buy a Hyundai or Kia ever again. Screw them!!
Sometimes those Engineers should be shot so many different ways they could have designed that what was wrong with just putting a socket up there in turning it pulling it down for the ball bin and putting it back up but no they have to create so much more of a hassle or is little light bulb unbelievable By the way happy New Year Jim to you and your family
You held your cool,I know you wanted to break every peice of window glass in that car! Lol. Flat rate in my shop is .2 "small bulb labor" gotta love it. The first time I did one years ago I removed the whole rear deck and seats lol. Thanks for the tip!
I have done a lot of work on this car. I have replaced wheel bearings, brake calipers, alternators, gaskets of all kind and I have even done some electrical. All the while I thought this car is fairly well designed. Nothing is inordinately difficult to do. Then I changed the third brake light. I have no idea what rookie engineer was in charge of that design because everything is just a fraction of an inch off. Just a few millimeters off the bottom of that light would make it much easier to take out. Anyways it done and your video was helpful without it I probably would have ripped it out of the car lol.
Definite flaw in design here. Odd because the Hyundai Elantra's is much easier! This is gonna be a shit show - but here I go! Thank goodness I have a magnetic screw driver - lol . If it wasn't required in order to pass state inspection this would remain out!
Don't know if this guy is right. I forced the plastic without taking screws off and then realized that it might be possible to take out light from inside trunk. Try that first!!! It's way to hard to put it back otherwise.
Hi Jim! I wanted to take the time to thank you for taking the time to make and post this video. I've put over 100,000 miles on this 07 Sonata, and today is the first time I've had a working center brake light on this car!! That's thanks to you! I have spent whole days in the past trying to replace the bulb through the little square hole in the trunk. I also tried gently prying the light housing from the back seat too...no go. I know there are two bulbs rattling around up in there from past tries. There was some bleeding, and quite a bit of swearing involved with those tries. I came VERY close to pulling out the dye grinder and cutting an access hole right where the Hyundai engineers should have put it! I still have trouble imagining how they could have done worse on this design. It's obvious that it was not designed at all really, just an "after-thought" that makes what should be a very simple job replacing a bulb a nightmare!! I own the car so I had no problem cutting off the stupid 1" long fin on the light socket, and two of the tabs on the light housing that make it even more difficult to remove and re-install the housing on the rear window deck. So, thanks againJim for helping me make my car a little safer!!!!!
This is why you got to love UA-cam and guys like Jim The Car Guy! Thanks Jim, a BIG help!
Thanks so much. You saved me a bunch of time and frustration!! For anyone wondering. It is a 921 bulb.
I clipped the long plastic stem off of the light bulb socket so that it can be inserted into the fixture and then the whole fixture snapped into place as a unit. Also, you can see the screw behind the felt at a steep angle through the rectangular hole on the left side. It really helps when putting it back together.
Before reading your comment, I realized the 3/4" tang on the underside of the light bulb socket was the issue making the replacement of the bulb SO difficult.
I used diagonal pliers to cut that long plastic tail from the bottom of the bulb socket and the whole thing assembled easily from above the rear shelf and (with some gentle urging) slid into place on the shelf.
I also attached an 18" piece of string to the wire connector coming off the bulb socket to help fish the connector into the laterally displaced opening inside the trunk, where it connects to the matching (powered) connector.
My thoughts: 1) Long tang on bottom of bulb socket "would" be useful if the bulb socket base could be accessed from WITHIN the trunk.
2) Hyundai seems to have used a bulb socket from another application (location) which makes its use for the 3rd brakelight extremely difficult to replace.
And 3) All that WOULD have been needed was for Hyundai to place an adequately-sized access opening directly below the bulb socket. In that case, the long tab would have been very useful in quickly and easily changing a blown 3rd brakelight bulb.
Anyway - after
I took my car to get inspected and the mechanic didn’t know how to take the back light off and that was the only thing holding me back from a clean inspection. Thanks to your video I was able to do in 45 minutes well I’m sure a dealership would’ve taken a day or two to do. Thank you very much I really appreciate the help you’ve provided today have a great day and God bless.
Glad it helped
Hey, Jim: I just discovered something that might help some others with that stupid third light. After several hours of in and out of the trunk and trying to find those damned screws and then trying to get it back in after installing the new LED bulb, I was ready to re-install the thing and had all sorts of problems getting it back in.
Three times I had to take the bottom plate off the light housing to retrieve the bulb after it fell off in there. Finally I put it in and added a couple of drops of super glue to the base. No more falling out.
The next problem was getting the thing back in place. I finally said "Enough!" and grabbed my diagonal cutters and cut that long tail off of the socket. I cut it just short of the round piece. The extra plastic served no purpose as far as I could see so off it came. I put the socket in the housing and the whole mess slid right into place with a little coaxing. Put the two screws back in and done.
Take a look at that long tail next time you have to do one. Cutting it off makes things a LOT easier. I have to agree with you on the utter stupidity of this thing.
This is the way to go... Was very simple doing this. I too wondered what was under that tape wrap and this is the DEVINE answer. They just over modified this piece but for no good reason but to fleece you at the stealership and whatnot. Thank you for simplifying this tedious mess.😀
I followed another procedure where part of the socket is cut off while it is out. This allows the lamp to be re-installed into the housing, with plenty of clearance to put the housing back in.
That is what I did on mine. Worked well.
I did the same. Made it easier to re-install the lamp into the housing.
My man!! The dealership said they’d replace it for $140!!! Thanks to you and this video, I just replaced it, took me 1/2 hour (gotta get around some stereo equipment). Thank you for the perfect instructions!!
LMAO 140$? Isn't that quite a joke that the dealers would charge that for something that should be quick for people who know the cars. Absolutely wild! But at least you took the time to learn and do it yourself save money. I was doing the same as you 👍
Stealership.
LOL. what fucking crooks.
Lol I was one of the ppl you were talking about in the beginning of your vid. I went in myself at first thinking no biggie and then was like wtf . Thank for your information and knowledge.
Thank you for taking the time to stabilize it- very watchable ! And just what I needed today too!
I can not tell you how much I appreciate this video! The first one I saw told me to take apart my whole back panel. Although difficult, this was so much easier! Thank you!!
THANKS! I just got finished watching another video where they wanted me to take out the rear seat side cushions, the back ledge(?) cover, and some other crap just to get to the bulb. Your way is MUCH better. Appreciate it.
Oh and 2:10 "I'm too old for this stuff". You and me both, sir. :)
Thank you for this life saving video Jim. I sweared so much at first at Hyundai then after a week calmed down. The job was a nightmare and I was about to throw the towel in until I checked your video out. Wow, Hyundai are a real pain in the butt. My back still aches from changing a single light bulb. Jim, thanks again, great job.
Wow ! Yes those Engineers really are brilliant ! They never think about the guy that has to replace the bulb for sure. I came up with a few new cuss words myself changing mine abut 2 years ago on a 2009. I wish I saw this video then. Great job. Have a Happy New Year. I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming. Thanks Jim. Bill😊
Thank you. This was the only video which showed how to replace the bulb without having to take apart the backseat.
I failed the NYS inspection due to this. Mechanic said 80 dollars since it’s a pain to replace and would take them roughly 2 hours. With this video, took me 10 minutes and $6. You are great!
what bulb model number you had to purchase? thanks
Did not pass NYS inspection - unfortunately I am pass the 30 days because I was out of state. Just need to pay an extra 37 for another inspection formality. This was weighing on my mind while I was away until you walked me through. Job was completed in 30 hard minutes. Thank you so much, sir.
Bonus points for not saying 'FUCK'.
I had a 1999 Sonata and still one my favourite vehicle drive wise but What a pain in the back side this brake light bulb to replace 😁 thanks Jim 👍
Or you could just cut an access hole in that parcel shelf from in the trunk. No screws. No messing around inside. Reach up and unplug.
Thanks!
I’m happy to help. Thank you for the $
Thanks I will try to replace the light bulb in my 2007 Sonata. I found this the really best way to replace it. Thank you 👍
Just remember not to touch the glass part of the bulb. Thanks for watching
Thanks for taking the time to show us this!
jim I am a hyundai tech and at the dealership i had a 2010 just now and there is a trick long needle nose pliers to turn counter clock wise from the top and let the bulb drop out from the bottom then the plastic has to be cut to put it back in this is the beast way I know how to describe this its a real pain in the but. there are 2 screws and they are a pain to see from under the trunk its had for me to fit at my size . so u need a lite and a long phillip driver
Is a LED available as a replacement?
I was the guy at 0.40...thought I would fix it without reading any books or youtube and dived right in ...then WTF .....thanks for sharing your vid, advice and guidance ....appreciation from Canada
Holy crap! Just finished this job (sort of) and it was so frustrating overcoming the poor design of this system. (1) the location of the two mounting screws is hard enough, but Hyundai's access to them makes no sense. The left side (as the car drives) access screw isn't too bad. The right side is covered with insulation (the adhesive foam) whose only purpose is to block access to the screw. Then, as if that's not bad enough, the port (hole) in the sheet metal to access that screw is not quite lined up right...the screwdriver has to pivot a little on a slant. The only way to overcome this is to crouch on your back and position yourself inside the trunk at angles that your spine can't handle for long. You have to SEE the screw through the hole in order to access it. No way I was ever going to get it by touch and feel. (2) The gray carpeted panel below the rear window (inside the cabin) is a total cluster*&^% of a design. You see where his right thumb is resting at 07:56 in the video. If that stupid bump wasn't there, you'd have plenty of room to lift up the light assembly to twist left - pull out, or twist right, push in the light bulb. Instead, you have to do what he does and try to finesse the bulb holder into the hole of the light assembly....with hardly any wiggle room. And you HAVE to use needle nose pliers....it aint' happening with your fingers. I tried about 10 times to twist my new bulb in ...no luck. FIVE times, the damn bulb fell inside the assembly itself, and I had to take THAT apart. Finally...I said f*&^ it...it's an older car, and I cut out a 1 inch by 1 inch square hole where his thumb is at 07:56. After doing that, there's plenty of room to pull out the assembly far enough to twist in the bulb, and then put the lighting assembly back into it's place on the rear felt panel. All Hyundai needed to do here was put a plastic access snap panel where I did my cutout. I guess I'll get some grey velcro and cover it up with some custom decorative design.
He must have had trouble, too, with the re-insertion of the bulb. At 08:19, you can see a cut in the video where I imagine a LOT of time passed for his as well. Looks like the daylight outside has almost turned to night! 😆
Nice job on this video, sir. You really helped me appreciate the complexity of this system!
Hi. I just wanted to say thank you for making this guide. I just replaced mine on a 2006 model. Most difficult part was the screws. After removing those, I just used my fingers to dislodge the bulb after prying the assembly out. After replacing, i just forced the contraption with the bulb in. Ezpz lemon cars.
I just changed the one in my son's 2008 Hyundai Sonata out for the second time. This time I put in an LED bulb that gives three quick flashes when the break pedal is pressed and then goes solid. What a PITA to change! If I ever have to change it out again, I'm bringing out the 2" metal hole saw and drilling a nice big hole in the metal plate below the bulb location.
At 59 years old and almost 300 pounds, I could have sold tickets to those who would have never believed that I could have gotten into and out of that trunk.
hey do you have the name or link of the bulb that you bought that flashes?
Thanks for this. Worked great but was like a game of Operation trying to line the socket with the enclosure on reinstall.
Thanks for this. My lamp holder was already partially dislodged, so I was able to change the bulb from inside the trunk without removing the reflector case from inside the cabin.
I did, in fact, look in to my trunk and say “howdaheck doya even gettadis friggin light bulb?!”
Wow, this was an incredible help. Thanks for the easy to follow video.
Thank you for watching . I'm happy to help. Don't forget to subscribe.
You are so professional, not a single cuss word!!
Hahaha "not a single cuss word" Thank you for editing. Lol Happy New Year.
You do seem to enjoy doing this for a living eh Jim :) Happy New Year bud and hope you and the family have a great 2019
Thank you Steve. Happy New Year to you also. I hope all is well.
¡ Muchas gracias Jim !
My wife told me her Elantra has a burnt out third light. Lucky me.
Thanx for the heads up. Great Vid!!
A 25 year old man such as yourself is hardly too old for this! Happy New Year Jim!
gatorgotme Thank you for watching and your input. 25 years old , boy do I wish. Happy new year
Hi Jim - - - could you of cut the two wires then splice and solder two longer wires together to make much easier to dismantle and pit it all back together - if it was all possible - just a thought - because my son has a Hyundai Sonata and if ever had to do this job like you just did I will personally do what my plan is - thanks for the video . Happy New Year to You and all Your Family
Good question.Yes you could but it is really not that bad once you know how. Thanks for watching. Happy New Year.
Absolutely no need to cut & resplice. Wouldn't make it any easier. The longer (driver side) screw holds the powered connector half into the bottom of the shelf and you can disconnect the bulb socket wire tail from here and completely remove the bulb socket and wire tail from the top side (car interior) of the rear shelf. 18" of string tied onto this wire tail can be fished from above the shelf into the laterally displaced opening inside the trunk where you push together the 2 halves of the existing connector.
Brilliant! And I love your comments!! I've seen people taking half the car apart in other videos to replace it!!
Glad it was helpful!
@@jimthecarguy The shop called me..... yah, it's at least an hour of labor..... $120.00 for a lightbulb! I'm look, no, Hell no! Directed them to your video, got it done for the original estimate, 24.95!!! You rock Jimmy!!
thank you so much for the video!! if there’s one thing i’ve learned from taking apart and reassembling parts of my hyundai is that there’s a LOT of dicking around involved in order to get things loose. i’ll never understand why they made this car so difficult to disassemble 🤷♀️
Thank you Sir Jim for the informative video. I was able to change the bulb in 15 minutes. Easy peazy with a little patience. Thank you again!
Glad it helped
Jim I own a 09 sonata, I drilled right thought the metal inside the trunk, right in between, where you unscrewed the two screws, for eazy replacement, about a 3 an half inch size hole..
Yes, this is similar to the headache of replacing the low-beam/high-beam headlight bulbs on a Sonata.
Very helpful. I had to stop in the middle today, re-watch, and go find pliers to finish.
hyundai made a mistake with that design, they shld have made it maintenance friendly
i realize Im quite randomly asking but do anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online ?
@Easton Colten Try Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)
I remember changing the headlight assembly too on my Sonata too as well as one time with the bulb change too, huge pain in my you know what to conquer those seemingly simple jobs.
L l9l9
If you fold down the back seats you can access the trunk deck screws a little easier to change that bulb, just a thought for next time!
I'm happy to help. Watch for the next free tool giveaway coming soon.
OMG! Thank you for the video. I’m just going to pay someone to do it. 😤
Thank you very much, Jim. It was very helpful and I appreciate your cheerful personality.
So simple to change! Not. I like saving time! Happy new year Jim.
Thank you Mike . Happy New Year.
Painful, but I'm going to give it a try. Thanks Jim! I never would have found those screws.
Thanks soooo much for making this video, it saved me a ton of time and frustration!
I agree they only think about the assembly not the maintainability. Awesome job
Thanks for watching.
Thank you SO MUCH! I got my car inspected today and that break light was out. The auto repair store told me it could take them about 2 hours and charge me $60. I was like .. no. So I googled you and I fixed it all by myself ! But yes. I agree. They were not the smartest engineers thinking about this lol
That lightbulb cost 60 to buy. 🤦 I just forget about it because I got taillight/brake lights.
Just had to do this.. I wound up cutting the long part of the socket down to the wires. Turn it into the lens, and you can squeeze the whole thing back into the spot.
Only thing I couldn't get back in was the screws..
But the light works.
Best fix is 5% tint. Had my car for 8 years, didn't know it had a third brake light until tonight
Thanks for watching.I'm happy to help
Same I have a dark tint and didn't realize that I had a third break light for like 7 years🤣
Could the shelf be removed for access?
Thank you so much! Wanted to share my gratitude because I was able to fix this myself with your help!
Could you have used long nose pliars to reach up and twist the socket and drop it to install new bulb.?
I cannot even tell you how frustrating that was! I dropped both bulbs down the freakin thing and will have to take the whole thing apart to get the bulbs and replace the light. Stupid fuckin engineers! How the fuck did u think we can get that! Took me 2hrs and still couldn't do it! A fucking bulb!
Thank you for making this video. F the engineer who designed that. A couple extra plastic clips on the cover and they wouldn't need the screws, a few more inches of wire and you could pull the whole housing out to twist the bulb.
Thank you for making this video. I was able to replace me bulb but I'm never buying a Hyundai again.
It took 2 people, a lot of cursing, and an hour to accomplish this. It's by far my ONLY disappointment in Hyundai to date - and I have had my car for 12 years with no complaints. She is a beast, and has 200K+ miles on her - but this was total nonsense....what the heck were those engineers thinking!
Hey folks great video. Let me tell u A GOOD TIP.
Removal is pretty much how u showed it, long needle nose.
Installation much easier cut the bottom of the plastic bulb socket off up to where the wires go into it.Gives about an inch more clearance . Your just cutting off a thin tab that was designed to aid removal and installation with your fingertips HAD THE HOLE BEEN CUT IN THE PROPER PLACE IN THE TRUNK. You still have to finesse the housing in a bit but it works. If it was my car I would just take a hole saw underneath it .But, It would never be my car.
How do I know what bulb to buy for my 2009 Hyundai rear window brake light?
I think I will give this a try. However, once the bulb socket is removed, I am going to cut the wires and extend them so it is easier to maneuver. I'll also cut that silly tab off too.
Thank you! It took me less than 10 min, 👏
Great job!
How do I know what light bulb to buy?
Any auto parts store can look it up for you
It is a 921 bulb.
you should put into the description or as a pinned Comment for the size. I think it is 921 bulb, right?
Thanks for watching .Will do.
T10 LED. So you don't have to do it again for a long long time.
Definitely a big help. Thanks for doing this video.
Glad it was helpful!
Unbelievable!!! That is ridiculous!!! 😡 I have to fix mine. 😕😢. Thank you for showing us how difficult this is 😂!
Every. Single. Hyundai. Video...a mechanic talking shit about hyundai engineers lol....making me rethink buying another hyundai
To be very honest I do like the Hyundai products. I just bought the Santa Fe myself. Thanks for watching.
In other videos they are taking side panels off.
I think this job almost made you cuss. (ha ha)
Hahaha "almost"
This helped thanks
Thank you so much for a great video.
I just want to know what little Korean rectal orifice designed this mess? My 2010 Sonata has the same problem and the Haynes manual was less than useful. Now that I've seen your video and another I think I can do it. I'm 80 years and too old to be doing this stuff. :-)
It's a lot easier to do than you were showing. All you have to do is take a long pair of pliers go in the trunk put them up in there and grab a hold of the plastic part of the light and turn it pull it down through the hole change the bulb and put it back.
Thanks very much. When an expert calls this design stupid and a pain in the rear, it’s as though Hyundai went out of their way to make this difficult. I have an 09 Sonata and it burns out bulbs more than any car I ever had. However, it has 203k miles and runs great. My 2016 Sonata is crap. 35k miles and the white paint is chipping and Hyundai won’t do anything about it. Simple solution, will NEVER buy a Hyundai or Kia ever again. Screw them!!
Does anyone know the bulb part number? I am thinking LED because I am only doing this once
Thanks for the insight on this one
Sometimes those Engineers should be shot so many different ways they could have designed that what was wrong with just putting a socket up there in turning it pulling it down for the ball bin and putting it back up but no they have to create so much more of a hassle or is little light bulb unbelievable
By the way happy New Year Jim to you and your family
Thank you . I think that the engineers are just screwing with us. Lol Happy New Year.
Thank you! Agreed. The level of stupidity of hyundai engineers in designing this is astounding.
Well done sir! You helped us out A LOT! Indeed it was a pain in the ass..and i did lost my temper instead of you! Hahaha! Greetings from Greece!
Glad it helped
Thanks saved me some money!
04:55 to 05:29....put that on a continuous loop....that's me doing this repair job.
You held your cool,I know you wanted to break every peice of window glass in that car! Lol. Flat rate in my shop is .2 "small bulb labor" gotta love it. The first time I did one years ago I removed the whole rear deck and seats lol. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for watching.
Yes this is stupid how much ypu have to go though to change a single light bulb! Thank you for this video!!!!
I have done a lot of work on this car. I have replaced wheel bearings, brake calipers, alternators, gaskets of all kind and I have even done some electrical.
All the while I thought this car is fairly well designed. Nothing is inordinately difficult to do. Then I changed the third brake light. I have no idea what rookie engineer was in charge of that design because everything is just a fraction of an inch off. Just a few millimeters off the bottom of that light would make it much easier to take out.
Anyways it done and your video was helpful without it I probably would have ripped it out of the car lol.
Thanks, buddy.
man, these Korean engineers are worse than German engineers!!!!
This is hilarious LOL. I'm definitely going to use an LED bulb.
Thanks Jim! Why does it have to be so difficult?!?!
That does look like a pain in the ass. I'll give it a go this afternoon.
Definite flaw in design here. Odd because the Hyundai Elantra's is much easier! This is gonna be a shit show - but here I go! Thank goodness I have a magnetic screw driver - lol . If it wasn't required in order to pass state inspection this would remain out!
Thank you Jim!!!
Can someone help me pls. Hyundai i20 third brake light removal to replace bulb. Thank you John
I'm thinking my 2011 has the same design, I'll be cutting an access panel in the trunk
Don't know if this guy is right. I forced the plastic without taking screws off and then realized that it might be possible to take out light from inside trunk. Try that first!!! It's way to hard to put it back otherwise.
The title should be 2006-2010. I have 2010, its last year of that generation!
Thank you .I will change it now. Happy New Year.
What a pain in the ass, I am too old and crippled up to crawl around in a trunk so I wonder what a shop will charge me.
Actually it is fairly easy it should be around 15 min labor. I'm happy to help. Watch for the next free tool giveaway coming soon.