[BlueStar]

My 2013 Base Model Volt has a crack in the right tail light module that allows water in and causes continual condensation within the lens. To fix it correctly I need to remove the tail light module. I have seen service and parts diagrams that sort of show how to remove the tail light but it is not very clear to me. Is there a step-by-step DIY guide with pictures for those of us that do not have the service manual?

I know the rear bumper fascia must be removed first, but I wonder if there are “hidden” fasteners that will hang up an otherwise simple job. Suggestions anyone?

 

[Mister Dave]

FWIW: There are actually 3 Quarter Panel Tail Lamp Moulding Screws

Also, there is no bulb. The tail lamp is serviced as a unit, the tail lamp is (LED) Light Emitting Diode.

Refer to pg.1113 of the Volt service manual linked below in my signature if you are still interested in removing and replacing the tail lamp which requires the removal of the rear bumper fascia first.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?81826-All-of-a-sudden-rapid-right-turn-blinker

If you look hard enough you can find a PDF of the service manual. I did.

 

[BlueStar]

Mister Dave - Thanks for the pictures and the link. I found that thread also but was confused about removing the bumper fascia. The picture from the service manual seems to imply that there are only two screws holding the fascia on. That seems improbable. So I was concerned that I would get those screws out and hit some hidden fasteners or need some other instructions to complete the job. Any additional thoughts?

 

[Mister Dave]

You could go the way a recent camera upgrader went:

I think this video will be very helpful:

Full size video link

The manual text says for tail lights:

Preliminary Procedures
1. Remove either the LH or RH rear bumper fascia inner guide.
2. Remove the quarter panel tail lamp upper molding.
3. Reposition the sound deadening material in order to access the tail lamp nuts.

Procedure
Upon removal, grasp the tail lamp and give a quick pull rearward in order to disengage the outer tail lamp locator pin from the tail lamp pocket.

And for fascia removal:

Preliminary Procedures
1. Remove the underbody rear air deflector to fascia bolts.
2. Remove the rear screws from the wheelhouse liner.

Procedure
1. Reposition the lower liftgate weatherstrip to access the centre fascia guide.
2. Insert a small flat-bladed tool into the fascia centre guide and depress the snaps one at a time and pull on the fascia working from one side to the other to remove the fascia from the rear fascia guides.
3. Disconnect the electrical connectors.

 

[BlueStar]

Thanks Mister Dave! The rear bumper fascia is more complicated than the manual picture lets on. I am actually pretty mechanical, working on VW diesels for many years, but this is my first Volt experience. You have given me all the help I needed. Thanks again.

 

[Mister Dave]

Welcome .

 

[domardorm]

This thread saves my day. I was trying to figure out how to replace that tail light for hours until i found this. Thank you!

 

[Steverino]

Jopo43, please rise above spamming the site with meaningless posts. If you act like a spammer, you'll get treated like one.

 

[El Dobro]

When the dealer replaced my tail lamps under warranty, I remember the tech saying that a rivet had to be drilled out on both sides.

 

[bagchis]

Thanks to this thread, I just managed to replace the left rear tail light. Took a while convincing all the bumper to release the bumper. The video on replacing the rear camera helped a lot. You only need to pop out the bumper on the side where the tail light needs replacing. I avoided drilling out the rivets that holds a plastic "structure" just below the tail light (visible after popping out the bumper) by slightly trimming the plastic piece that protrudes right next to the lower bolt in the replacement tail light. Then there is enough room to push in the tail light into the body.

 

[QuickRick]

Thanks,

My 2013 needed to do the dreaded leaking tail light replacement and so I finally attacked it. While I had the taillight out I decided to also replace the awful back up camera. I used your schematic to determine the camera pin location which Is: pins 3&5 where 5 is the black ground wire and 3 is a light green wire for the red power plug and 1&4 where 4 is the ground side light blue wire and 1 goes to the red positive wire side to the camera yellow plug. Theses colors: such as red, light blue, light green and black are Volt camera Molex plug wiring colors. The color code on the schematic is confusing and wrong. Once I got the camera installed temporarily and tested (it might be upside down), I soldered all connections and mounted it to the bumper.

Thanks to this forum and the YouTube video of the camera replacement, I managed to get both tasks performed. The view out of the new camera is much better in all kinds of light using only a basic $20 EBay camera. The difference in colors viewed is excellent these days, yay!

Cheers,

QR

 

[MCB]

Work in process