Liftgate Light Removal/Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Mazda CX-5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

Fogging or condensation on the inside of the liftgate light may occur, however, it is a natural phenomenon occurring as a result of a temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the liftgate lights and has no effect on the light performance. Fogging or condensation will dissipate when the temperature inside the liftgate lights rises after illuminating the back-up lights and a period of time has elapsed.

Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Insert a tape-wrapped flathead screwdriver into the service hole in the position shown in the figure.

Fig 1: Inserting Tape-Wrapped Flathead Screwdriver Into Service Hole
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the flathead screwdriver in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull out the service hole cover from the liftgate, and detach the service hole cover tab A, B and liftgate.

Fig 2: Detaching Service Hole Cover Tab And Liftgate
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Pull out the service hole cover in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure and pull out the service hole cover hook from the liftgate.

Fig 3: Pulling Out Service Hole Cover
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover.
Insert a flathead screwdriver into the service hole in the position shown in the figure.

Fig 4: Inserting Flathead Screwdriver Into Service Hole
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the flathead screwdriver in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull out the service hole cover No. 1, and detach the service hole cover No. 1 tab from the bracket.

Fig 5: Detaching Service Hole Cover No. 1 Tab From Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover No. 1.

Fig 6: Removing Service Hole Cover No. 1
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Insert a flathead screwdriver into the service hole in the position shown in the figure.

Fig 7: Inserting Flathead Screwdriver Into Service Hole
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the flathead screwdriver in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull out the service hole cover No. 2, and detach the service hole cover No. 2 tab from the bracket.

Fig 8: Detaching Service Hole Cover No. 2 Tab From Bracket
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the service hole cover No. 2.

Fig 9: Removing Service Hole Cover No. 2
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Insert the flathead screwdriver into the clearance between the bracket tab and the liftgate light shown in the figure.

Fig 10: Inserting Flathead Screwdriver Into Clearance Between Bracket Tab And Liftgate Light
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the flathead screwdriver in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull out the bracket in the direction of the arrow (2) shown in the figure while pressing the bracket tab, and detach the bracket tab and liftgate light.

Fig 11: Detaching Bracket Tab And Liftgate Light
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Insert the flathead screwdriver into the clearance between the bracket tab and the liftgate light shown in the figure.

Fig 12: Inserting Flathead Screwdriver Into Clearance Between Bracket Tab And Liftgate Light
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the flathead screwdriver in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure, pull the bracket in the direction of the arrow (2) shown in the figure, and detach the bracket tab A, B, C and liftgate light.

Fig 13: Detaching Bracket Tab And Liftgate Light
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the bracket in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure to pull out the hook of the bracket from the liftgate.

Fig 14: Pulling Out Hook Of Bracket From Liftgate
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Move the bracket in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure to detach the tab of the bracket from the liftgate light, then pull out the hook of the bracket from the liftgate and remove the bracket.

Fig 15: Detaching Tab Of Bracket From Liftgate Light
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Disconnect the connectors.

Fig 16: Disconnecting Connectors
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the cap nut.

Fig 17: Removing Cap Nut
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Push out the liftgate light in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure and remove it from the liftgate.

Fig 18: Pushing Out Liftgate Light
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
CAUTION:
- If the liftgate light is removed from the liftgate, the liftgate light may fall off and be damaged. When removing the liftgate light from the liftgate, hold the liftgate light on the lens side with a hand during the servicing.
Install in the reverse order of removal.