Remove the Old Bulb

What happens in this clip

After opening the cover, the incandescent bulb will be visible. If the light was on prior to removal, the bulb will be hot. It is crucial to avoid touching it with bare hands to prevent burns. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers, ideally with their tips covered in masking tape to provide insulation and prevent the bulb from shattering, to grasp the bulb. Gently pull the bulb straight out from its socket. It is a wedge-base type bulb that doesn't twist.

Goal: Once the cover is open, carefully remove the old incandescent bulb using insulated pliers, as the bulb may be very hot. This type of bulb usually pulls straight out of its wedge-style socket.

What's used

Tools

• Masking Tape
• Needle-Nose Pliers

About the full video

This video demonstrates how to remove and replace a cargo area light bulb, specifically focusing on the process of replacing an incandescent bulb with a more energy-efficient LED option. The process involves carefully prying open the light cover, safely removing the hot old bulb, installing the new LED bulb, and securing the cover back into place.

Step 3 of 7: Remove old light bulbs

Once the cover is removed, you will have access to the light bulbs. Grasp each bulb firmly but gently and turn it counter-clockwise. Continue turning until the bulb is completely disengaged from the socket. If a bulb is broken, take extreme caution.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Remove a Ceiling Light Cover to Change the Bulbs

1. Step 1: Turn off power to the light fixture

   • 0:50–1:05 Turn Off Power at Circuit Breaker
   • 0:47–0:52 Turn Off Power at Circuit Breaker
   • 0:03–0:05 Shut Off Power to the Circuit

2. Step 2: Remove the light fixture cover

   • 1:50–2:38 Remove Old Light Fixture Glass Cover and Bulbs
   • 1:03–1:50 Remove Light Fixture Cover
   • 0:17–0:23 Remove Light Bulb Cover and Bulbs

3. Step 3: Remove old light bulbs

   • 0:34–0:50 Unscrew Old Bulb
   • 1:50–2:05 Remove Light Bulbs
   • 0:38–1:04 Remove the Old Bulb (this video)

4. Step 4: Install new light bulbs

   • 1:15–1:30 Install New Light Bulb
   • 1:04–1:12 Install the New Bulb
   • 0:26–0:31 Install the New Light Bulb

5. Step 5: Reattach the light fixture cover

   • 6:11–6:23 Replace the Fixture Cover
   • 0:57–1:08 Reinstall Dome Light Cover
   • 0:55–1:09 Install the Light Cover

6. Step 6: Restore power to the light fixture

   • 10:35–10:39 Restore Power and Test the New Fixtures
   • 2:59–3:02 Restore Power
   • 2:11–2:21 Restore Power and Test

7. Step 7: Test the light fixture

   • 9:22–9:55 Restore Power and Test
   • 8:04–8:19 Restore Power and Test
   • 2:47–2:52 Test New Light Fixture