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How to Replace Tail Lights 2004-06 Chevy Silverado 1500

Created on: 2013-03-01

If your 04-07 Chevy Silverado has chipped or dim tail lights, watch this video to learn how you can replace them yourself. 1A Auto experts will guide you

  1. step 1 :Remove the tail light assembly
    • Remove the two screws securing the tail light.
    • Use a hammer to work the screws out with your Phillips screwdriver if they are rusted in there.
    • Take care not to strip the bolt.
    • Remove the tail light assembly.
    • Unplug the bulbs and wiring harness.
    • At this point you can service the bulbs or replace the tail light assembly completely.
    • If the screws are turning but not coming out, it means the clips have rusted out, so you can pull on the tail light while you unscrew it to get it loose.
  2. step 2 :Install the new tail light/serviced tail light assembly.
    • Plug in the bulbs and wiring harness into the tail light assembly.
    • Put the tail light assembly back into place.
    • Secure with the two screws and Phillips screwdriver.

Tools needed

  • Hammer

    Phillips Head Screwdriver

Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto, I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.

In this video I'm going to show you how to service a tail light. This is a 2005 Silverado, pretty much the same as any '04 to '07 Silverado. We're going to show you both replacing a new tail light. If you've broken or damaged your old one you can get a great replacement from 1AAuto.com, and we also show you servicing the bulbs. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver, and you'll probably need a hammer if your truck if from up North like ours was and the clips have rusted on the backside some.

Tail lights on these vehicles, I've been guilty of it, they're susceptible to damage. I carry a lot of wood in my truck, and I've been known to load it up with wood, throw a piece and accidentally hit the tail light and wipe it out. It's pretty easy. All you need is a Phillips screwdriver. There are two screws, one here and one right down here. I'm going to get some good force in here to get them started. Sometimes these screws can be a little difficult. Put your screwdriver in; give it a couple of taps with the hammer. If that doesn't work, try twisting a little bit counter clockwise, and tap with the hammer at the same time. You just want to make sure that you don't strip the contact area where the screwdriver goes in. You might hear some stuff fall apart, that's the other thing that happens with this light, is the mounting points actually break.

The light comes right out, and if you're just looking to change a bulb you just untwist, they come out. Just twist counter clockwise until they come out. Sometimes what you get happening is the clips rust away, and usually you can solve that by just pulling out on the tail light while you're unscrewing. If you get the screws going and you notice that they're unscrewing but they're not really coming out, you can hear some crackling and crunching inside, that's usually because the clips have rusted away and you need to pull on the light while you work the screw out. I'll show you on this one once I get it out, here.

You can see, there's the clip that's rusted away, that's totally gone on that one. Your tail light from 1A Auto. You can see, just like the original there two tabs on the light that go in the holes in the bed of the pickup. Just install it just like you took it out. Put those tabs in there.

2007 - 2007  Chevrolet  Silverado 3500 Classic
2007 - 2007  Chevrolet  Silverado 2500 HD Classic
2004 - 2006  Chevrolet  Silverado 3500
2004 - 2004  Chevrolet  Silverado 2500
2004 - 2006  Chevrolet  Silverado 2500 HD
2004 - 2006  Chevrolet  Silverado 1500
2007 - 2007  Chevrolet  Silverado 1500 HD Classic
2007 - 2007  Chevrolet  Silverado 1500 Classic
2005 - 2006  Chevrolet  Silverado 1500 HD
2003 - 2003  Chevrolet  Silverado 2500
2003 - 2003  Chevrolet  Silverado 2500 HD
2003 - 2003  Chevrolet  Silverado 1500 HD
2003 - 2003  Chevrolet  Silverado 1500
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