How to Replace the License Plate Light on a 2000 Avalon

For the 1995 model year, Toyota released the Avalon, a luxurious, full-sized sedan. The 2000 Avalon, the final year of the first generation, came fitted with a 210-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 engine. The license plate on the 2000 Avalon mounted to the rearmost part of the trunk lid. Above the license plate were two bulbs to illuminate the plate at night. Replacing the license plate bulbs in the Avalon requires the removal of the trunk lid trim from inside the trunk.

Instructions

1

Open the trunk. Remove the eight retaining pins holding the trunk lid trim in place, by loosening the screw in the center of each pin with a Phillips screwdriver, and pulling the pin from the trim. Pull the trim from the trunk lid, exposing the two license plate bulb sockets on the rearmost part of the lid.

2

Twist the license plate socket counterclockwise and pull the socket and bulb from the inside of trunk lid. Grab the bulb and pull it from the socket with a slight wiggling motion.

3

Grab a new 2825 license plate bulb, using a clean, lint-free cloth, and press it into the socket. Don't touch the glass portion of the bulb with your bare hands, as the oils from your hands can cause premature bulb failure.

4

Insert the license plate socket and new bulb into the trunk lid and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.

5

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 for the other license plate bulb, if needed.

6

Set the trunk lid trim back in place and insert all eight retaining pins. Tighten the pins with a Philips screwdriver. Close the Avalon's trunk.