Courtesy lights (car door lights) serve both aesthetic and practical purposes. When the doors are open, they illuminate the ground around your vehicle, making it easier to see and beautifying it. These lights may wither in time, so over the years, they may need replacing. Fortunately, replacing car door lights is relatively easy, even if you’re inexperienced in repairs.
Read on to see how to replace your car door lights step by step and keep your vehicle both functional and stylish. If you are searching for high-quality car door lights, visit the addcarlights website and Get up to 15% OFF ON NEW PRODUCTS.
Why Replace Your Car Door Lights?
Before diving into the replacement process, it’s worth understanding why you might need to replace your car door lights:
- Upgrade to LEDs: A lot of vehicle owners switch their ordinary halogen lights to brighter ones and save extra power on LED lights for looks at better brightness.
- Customization: Personalizing your vehicle is as simple as swapping out your factory lights for logo and projector lights.
The replacement process is relatively simple regardless of your motivation and can take minutes to complete once you have the right tools and mindset.
Tools and Materials Needed
To replace your car door lights, gather the following:
- Replacement car door lights (compatible with your vehicle model).
- A flathead screwdriver or trim removal tool.
- A clean cloth or microfiber towel (to prevent scratches).
- Optional: Wire connectors or electrical tape for secure wiring.
How to Replace Car Door Lights Step by Step?
Step 1: Choose the Ideal Replacement Lights
Pick replacement lights that fit your car’s make and model. If you’re installing car door lights for a custom or upgrade, replace the new lights with ones that have the same dimensions and electrical specs as the original.
Step 2: Conditions To Work In
Find a good well lighted area to park your vehicle in. Shut the engine off, and the doors are unlocked. Disconnect the car battery if you need to avoid electrical problems when working.
Step 3: Remove the Old Door Light
- The door light assembly is located at the bottom of the car door.
- Gentle pry with a flathead screwdriver or trim removal tool to get the light assembly out of the slot. To ensure your car’s interior and paint remain scratch-free, wrap the tool in a cloth.
- Once the light assembly is loose, carefully pull it out.
Step 4: Disconnect the Wiring
- Locate the wiring harness connected to the light assembly.
- Press the release tab on the connector and gently unplug the wiring from the old light.
- Set the old light aside.
Step 5: Connect the New Light
- Attach the wiring harness to the new light. Ensure the connection is secure and matches the polarity if specified.
- Test the light before reinserting it into the door to ensure it works correctly. Open the car door to activate the light.
Step 6: Install the New Light
- Carefully insert the new light assembly into the slot.
- Push the light into place until you hear a click or feel it fit snugly. Avoid using excessive force to prevent damaging the light or door panel.
Step 7: Test the New Light
- Open and close the door to verify that the light turns on and off properly.
- If the light doesn’t work, double-check the wiring connection and ensure the light assembly is properly seated.
Step 8: Repeat for All Doors
Repeat steps 3–7 for each door if you are replacing door lights on several.
Additional Tricks and troubleshooting
- Check Compatibility: Make sure your replacement lights are for your model vehicle.
- Use High-Quality Lights: If you frequently drive in harsh weather conditions, invest in durable, water-resistant lights.
- Avoid Overloading the Circuit: New lights with more or less wattage than the originals may cause electrical problems.
- Inspect the Wiring: When you’re replacing the lights, take the time to look at the wiring. If there’s any damage, you should fix it.
If the new lights don’t work after installation, it could be a blown fuse or a bad wiring system. You should look in your car’s manual or ask a professional.
Final Thoughts
Replacing your car door lights is a simple DIY project with excellent results both visually and useful for your car. This can be completed in short order and easily using very few tools, regardless of whether you’re updating to upper-end stylish LEDs or logo lights.
With the advice outlined in this guide, you should have no problem replacing your car door lights, and your vehicle will be both safe and showy. That’s why quit dawdling, grab your supplies, select new lights for your car, and add a fresh, illuminated touch to your car.
