Replacing burnt out lamps or repairing broken plastic Nissan Note often requires removal of the rear light unit. Many owners try to unscrew the visible bolts from the outside, but this will not lead to success, since the fastening is hidden inside the luggage compartment. Understanding the body structure and the location of the mounting points is the key to quick and safe dismantling.
During the operation of the car, the plastic can become brittle, and the latches can jam due to dust and dirt. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the fragile plastic caps or the flashlight body itself. The correct sequence of actions will allow you to carefully remove the unit without damaging the paintwork and electrical wiring.
Tools and workplace preparation
Before you start work, you need to prepare the necessary set of tools and ensure comfortable conditions. To remove Nissan Note To install a rear light, you do not need a specialized car service kit; a basic tool that every car enthusiast has is enough.
You'll need an appropriately sized Phillips screwdriver, a thin-blade flathead screwdriver (for prying up the fasteners), and gloves to protect your hands from dirt and sharp plastic edges. It is also advisable to have a flashlight to better illuminate the inside of the trunk, where there is often twilight.
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver PH2 for unscrewing mounting screws
- 🔪 Thin flathead screwdriver or plastic spatula
- 🔦 Flashlight for inspecting the inside of the arch
- 🧤 Gloves to protect hands from dirt and pinching
The work area must be clean and dry. Remove all foreign objects from the trunk so that they do not interfere with access to the light mount and do not fall into the cracks of the body. If you plan to change lamps, it is best to carry out the work in a warm room, since in the cold the plastic becomes brittle and easily cracks if pressed inaccurately.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent a short circuit if you accidentally touch the contacts of the block.
Access to the light mounts in the luggage compartment
Construction Nissan Note (both the first generation and restyled versions) implies that the main part of the fasteners is located behind the decorative trim of the trunk. You will need to carefully peel back the edge of the trim on the side of the corresponding lantern. This does not require complete removal of the entire trim; it is enough to free access to the metal body pillar.
Locate the edge of the trim adjacent to the rear arch. It is usually held on by several plastic clips. Gently pull the trim towards you, using a flat head screwdriver to pry the fasteners, but be careful not to break them. As soon as you clear the required area, you will see the metal body wall and the light mount.
Inside you will see three nuts or screws that secure the light to the body. They are arranged in a triangular configuration: two on top and one on the bottom, or vice versa, depending on the model year. It is important not to lose these small parts, so prepare a small magnet or container to store them.
- 🔍 Inspect the mounting area under the trim for rust or dirt
- 🛠️ Unscrew the fasteners without using excessive force
- 📦 Place the removed nuts in a safe place
If the nuts are stuck or rusty, do not try to rip them out of place with brute force. Use a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40), apply it to the threads and wait 5-10 minutes. This will greatly simplify the unscrewing process and reduce the risk of thread stripping or bolt breakage.
- Socket wrench
- Penetrating lubricant
- Long screwdriver
- Flashlight
The process of dismantling the light block
After unscrewing all the fasteners, the light will not fall off on its own, since it is still held on by the electrical connector and, possibly, by the landing pins. Do not pull the unit sharply towards you - this may lead to a break in the wiring or damage to the plastic pistons holding it in the opening.
Slightly rock the flashlight from side to side and pull it towards you. You will feel it begin to move out of its seat. At this moment you need to be extremely careful: inside the trunk there is a limit bar or pin that prevents the flashlight from falling out completely.
Once you have the body free from the body, you will need to disconnect the electrical connector. It has a latch that you need to press or bend, and then disconnect the plug. At this point, you will completely separate the light from the car and can move it to a workbench for further work.
☑️ Dismantling the lantern
If you are removing the light to replace the trunk light, which is often built into or near the rear unit, make sure you do not damage the license plate light wiring that may also run in that area. Accuracy is more important than speed here.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful with the plastic guide pins on the flashlight body - they often break when trying to pull the block out with force, which will lead to cracks and vibration.
Replacing lamps and checking contacts
By removing the flashlight, you get convenient access to the lamp sockets. To replace a burned out light bulb, simply turn the socket counterclockwise (usually a quarter turn) and pull it out of the housing. The lamp can be removed from the socket by pressing on it and turning it slightly.
It is important to check the condition of the contacts in the socket and on the lamp itself. Oxidation or carbon deposits can cause the new lamp to quickly burn out or not illuminate. Clean the contacts with fine sandpaper or an alcohol wipe. Replace the cartridge if it is melted or deformed.
When installing a new lamp, avoid touching the glass bulb with your hands. Oil from the skin on the glass of halogen lamps causes them to burn out quickly. Use a clean cloth or gloves when installing. If you are changing an LED lamp, make sure the connection polarity is correct.
- 💡 Use only lamps with the correct base and power
- 🧼 Clean the contacts from oxides before installing a new lamp
- 🚫 Do not touch the glass of a halogen lamp with your bare hands
- 🔧 Check the functionality of all lamps before assembly
After replacing the bulbs, reconnect the connector and turn on the ignition to check the operation of the side lights, brake lights and turn signals. This must be done before the lamp is completely installed in place to avoid repeated dismantling in the event of a malfunction.
If you change the lamp to an LED, make sure that it does not blink too often when turning on the turn - this is a sign of an error in the circuit or the absence of a decoy resistor.
Installing the flashlight and adjusting the gaps
Assembly is carried out in reverse order. First, connect the electrical connector until the latch clicks, then carefully insert the guide pins of the light into the holes in the body. Make sure that the rubber seal around the perimeter of the lamp lies flat and is not twisted.
Tighten the mounting nuts. Do not over-tighten them to avoid cracking the plastic of the housing. Tighten evenly, tightening each nut one at a time until the light is level. After tightening, check the gaps between the lamp and the body - they should be the same along the entire length.
Return the trunk trim to its place, securing it with pistons. Run your hand over the surface of the trim to make sure all the fasteners are in place. If a piston does not fit in, do not hit the casing with a hammer, but carefully knock it out with your hand or a rubber mallet.
It is important to check the tightness of the unit. Moisture that gets inside the flashlight can cause corrosion of the contacts or fogging of the glass. If the seal is old and tarnished, it should be replaced or lubricated with silicone grease to maintain elasticity.
Proper installation of the rubber gasket prevents water from entering the trunk and prevents the light from fogging up from the inside.
Table of lamp types for Nissan Note
Below is a reference table with the types of bulbs used in tail lights Nissan Note different generations. Please note that there may be slight differences between trim levels and markets.
| Function | Base type | Power (W) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side light | W5W (T10) | 5 | Clear or red glass |
| Brake light / Clearance | P21/5W | 21/5 | Two-pin lamp |
| Turn signal | P21W | 21 | Orange cartridge or glass |
| Reverse | P21W | 21 | White light |
| Fog light | P21W | 21 | Red light (one way) |
Knowing the exact types of lamps will help you purchase the necessary supplies in advance so you don't have to go to the store twice. It is also worth having a set of lamps in stock, as they often burn out in pairs or have a limited resource.
Common problems and their solutions
A common problem when removing the light is a broken plastic wing nut that is located inside the trunk. If this happens, you will have to drill out the remaining nut or use an extractor, which greatly complicates the task. In such cases, it is recommended to replace the entire fastening assembly with a new one.
Another problem is connector oxidation. Over time, the contacts in the chip can oxidize, which leads to poor contact and flickering of the lamps. In this case, the connector must be cleaned with contact cleaner or replaced with a new one if the damage is critical.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice traces of moisture inside the lantern after installation, check the tightness of the seal and the presence of drainage holes that may be clogged with dirt.
Sometimes it happens that after replacing the lamp it still does not light. In this case, check the fuse in the interior mounting block or under the hood. It is also worth checking the wiring with a multimeter to ensure there is no open circuit.
What to do if the nut breaks?
If the nut has broken off and is spinning with the bolt, use pliers to hold the bolt from the outside or a special tool to hold the pin. In extreme cases, you will have to drill out the nut and install a new thread.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to remove the light without removing the trunk trim?
In most cases on Nissan Note it is necessary to bend the edge of the casing to gain access to the fastening nuts. It is not necessary to completely remove the trim; it is enough to free access to the body pillar.
How many bolts does the taillight hold?
Typically the taillight is secured with three nuts or screws. Their location may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture of the car and the generation of the model.
What should I do if the lamp does not come off after unscrewing the bolts?
Don't use force. Check for additional fasteners or clips. Gently rock the block from side to side to release the guide pins. The seal may have stuck to the body.
Do I need to disconnect the battery before replacing lamps?
Although replacing lamps is usually safe and does not require disconnecting the battery, it is recommended to disconnect the negative terminal to prevent a short circuit if the wire insulation is damaged.
How to check the tightness of the lantern after installation?
Just pour water on the junction of the lamp and the body with a hose or watering can without starting the engine. If water does not get inside, the seal is restored.