02/04 Tailight Exchange

[vtecmdnss]

In order to exchange tailights between the 02/04 ep's youll need the necessary tools to remove the rear bumper cut and reconnect wires. if ur getting the parts from a junkyard get the turn signals and reverse connectors also. not just the plug "cut the whole assembly".

We used
a socket set
phillips screwdriver
Flathead
wire cutters
wire connectors
wire crips
electrical tape

The only similarities between the two tailight systems is the brake bulb and connector. which would be the bottom bulb plugs into the (red) on the 04.

Knowing that its time to start.

1. remove the rear bumper
2. remove the inner black plastic panel.
3. remove the 3 nuts holding the tailights and unplug the bulbs.
4. remove the outer nuts on the underside of the lights.
5. put the new tailights into place the and replace the inner nuts.
6. the brake light should plug right in.
7. cut the reverse assemly (2wire) and crimp the one from the tailights your swapping.
8. repeat step(7) for turn signals
9. tape everything to make it look clean and put it all back togeather.

Turn parking lights on put the car in reverse and push tha hazzard button (car not running) everything should light up. if swappin just repeat for the second car. If anyone gets lost or needs pics email me no1drumkid@yahoo.com

[eurosteez]

good write up


I wonder if anyone had done this?

[ViViDPeArL]

me and vtecmdness did it...took us about 3 hours to do all of it because were talking all the time and plus we were working in the dark...lol

[Ep3 No.2]

i like the other write up you writin vividpearl.
should copy and paste it in here as well.

[ViViDPeArL]

Here's a super cheesy DIY....sorry...i worked 40 hours this week...very little sleep, studying for finals, and taking care of my business...too much work...too little time.

Here's the dilly.......

--Lights AND sockets number 3 are the same on 03 and 04...don't mess with it

--Reverse lights AND sockets number 2 are both different.

--Reverse light and socket from number 2 must be cut off from the 04 si and crimpped on to number 2 on the 03 si reverse light wires.

--03 reverse light and socket number 2 will be crimpped on to number 1 on the 04 hatch.

--turn signal light and socket from number 1 on the 03 si will be the new reverse light and socket on number 2 on the 04

[Ep3 No.2]

=O) thank you

[H3 EP3]

so all youre doing is cutting the turn signals and reverse light sockets off and reconnecting them right? so if im swapping 03 tails onto my 04..then the 03 socket 2 will go to my 1 wire...and the 03 socket 1 will go to my 2 wire...right? please correct me if im wrong because i want to do this swap..but i dont get it

[vtecmdnss]

YOUR NOT REVERSING ANYTHING JUST REPLACE UR 04 REVERSE WITH THE 03 REVERSE. AND 04 TURN WITH THE 03 TURN. NOTHING IS MIXED UP. YOUR 04'S ARE JUST REPLACED BY THE 03'S BECAUSE THEY DONT FIT. 1 WILL GO TO 1 AN 2 WILL GO TO 2

[H3 EP3]

wow..thats an easier way of explaing. alright...GOT IT . so all im gonna be doing is splicing it right? (cut the wire, then just tie the wires back up and tape it)...? sorry but i dont know what "crimp" means..so my bad. crimp=splice?

[vtecmdnss]

Crimp would be what you do after you cut the wires and strip them. you then crimp (smash the metal inside of the plastic wire connectors) to hold them in place. its recommended that you wrap them in electric tape afterwards.

[ViViDPeArL]

a crimpping something is when you use a crimp tool to squeeze wires together using a connector. i would recommend you use a BUTT CONNECTOR (can be found at home depot for about 6 bucks for 100 of them or at radio shack for 3 dollars for 10 of them). you then need to buy a crimp/wire stripping tool which you can buy at radio shack for about 8 bucks...

[H3 EP3]

alright...got it . thanks guys. if i do trade tails with a guy on here, then ill let ya'll know how it came out :) .

[vtecmdnss]

Originally posted by ViViDPeArL
a crimpping something is when you use a crimp tool to squeeze wires together using a connector. i would recommend you use a BUTT CONNECTOR (can be found at home depot for about 6 bucks for 100 of them or at radio shack for 3 dollars for 10 of them). you then need to buy a crimp/wire stripping tool which you can buy at radio shack for about 8 bucks...

well sure if ya wanna get technical about it. lol

[ViViDPeArL]

technical DIYs are good...hell i hate stupid DIYs that are vague and leave you with questions....are you still gonna buy my headunit? i need $$$$$$$

[vtecmdnss]

C-mon after u buy crimper and connectors if you still dont see how the wires go togeather you need to put down the tools and pay someone.lol anyways ill see whats up with the headunit if u have it on friday.