Removing map lightbulbs in 2016 Tacoma

I’m replacing the original interior lights in my ‘16 Tacoma with LEDs.

I cannot get the map lightbulbs out. I’ve tried everything I can think of.

Any tips or suggestions?

I’ve tried needle nose pliers with the tips wrapped the black tap - no luck.

There has to be a trick so if you know it, please share.

Thank you.

 

I used tape. Wrap it as best you can around the bulb and it will pull out. That's how I did it.

 

pull the entire console out of the headliner and remove the bulbs from the back

 

Please explain how one does this. Thank you.

 

Zip tie?

 

just pullit down at the corners, and unplug the plug its only held in the headliner by clips. if the red clips stay in the headliner, pull them off and put them back on the console before re installing

 

What he said. Yank from the corners. Sounds horrible, but it comes off

 

These trucks have super sensitive electrical systems.

Be sure to disconnect the negative battery terminal before doing any work.

It sounds silly but many folks have turned "putting LED bulbs in the map lights" into an expensive trip to the dealer.

 

See the video below at the 3:00 minute mark. i did this just last week and it works.

https://youtu.be/i9-fXCcDuIU?si=ojogPO8kJWLEioVm

 

@Patch Barracks see the attached thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-3rd-gen-map-light-bulb-replacement.649129/#post-22543577

Tullie D for the win (RIP)

 

I forget how I did mine but it was really easy. The dome light is another thing and I still have not done that one yet. If anyone here have done the dome lights how did you do it and did you disconnect the battery as I read that if you put the bulb in wrong you can blow something and damage the wiring.

 

What are you having trouble with? The lens comes off and then the bulb just pops out.
Always disconnect the negative cable as mentioned. It’s simple and cheap insurance, why risk it?

 

I do understand what you are saying about disconnecting the battery but what is the guarantee that when you connect the battery the bulb is not inserted right as I have read there is a neg and pos it is tricky to figure out which end is as it is not marked on the bulb.

 

Have fun with led map lights. I sure am glad I got the 2 colour ones. White Led map lights are hard on the ol eye balls

 

Wrap tape around the bulb and pull on the tape. Use 3M packing tape or duct tape.

 

Find someone with tiny hands...if you cannot, use duct tape instead of black tape. Not like you need the bulb anymore

 

Thisssssssssss. It's so much simpler.

 

I had the same question. If I put in the bulb and then hook up the battery- what’s the difference? Seems to me the results are the same. If the bulb is in wrong - it is going to short out??

Also, can’t I just turn the switch off that is between the lights?

Thanks.

 

I think the switch is on the negative side so there is still power at the light and shorting it can send a surge back to the computer. That's how I understand it.

 

I hear you! I’m just parroting what I’ve read here. If the hive mind says it is safer to remove neg, then why not? Like I said it’s simple enough. Then when your ECU gets fried you can come back here and tell soooo many people they are idiots. Seems like a win-win if the +/- is indiscernible on your bulb and your odds of getting it right first try are 50-50 anyway.

When I swapped mine I definitely didn’t practice what I’m preaching… Call me a Hippo-crit

No way it could be simpler than finagling tape all up in a tiny hole??