How to remove parking/position/side lights for the 2012 i30 GD

rickai · **February 12, 2013, 04:33:55**

I was going to post in Ross's topic but I figure it'll be too confusing so I started a new topic for easier find.

Was fiddling with the headlight over the weekend and accidently found out how to remove those parking lights. They are different to the FD so not many would of known how to remove them.

So here it is, for those who wants to know how to remove the sidelights/park/parking/position lights. I made a little something so that you don't have to go through hell like me. Sorry for the shabby drawing. Time for a drink!

**Reply #1: February 12, 2013, 05:07:46**

Gees Rick, that seems surprisingly difficult. Why can't they be push/pulled from the rear instead of the front?

eye30 · **Reply #2: February 12, 2013, 13:25:54**

After reading that hope I don't need to replace mine eversosoon

rickai · **Reply #3: February 14, 2013, 00:59:07**

Quote from: Pip on February 12, 2013, 05:07:46

Gees Rick, that seems surprisingly difficult. Why can't they be push/pulled from the rear instead of the front?

Unfortunately, the light plug/socket can't be pushed or pulled from behind. It is permanently attached in there and unless you destroy the plug, it won't come out. There are people from the forum tried the front-on approach but end up miserably and was forced to take it to the mechanics to do it. That headlight is designed not be fiddled with!

potnodleman · **Reply #4: February 14, 2013, 03:03:58**

holy cow...didnt know it was that much of a bother to change

I was only recently thinking of changing mine to those LED ones too but now I think I wont rush to do it now....lol

btw...are those LED ones the actual ones u have changed to, how many smd's are on each bulb? also did u need to modify the bulb to fit because I remember someone on here recently changed theirs and had to modify it to fit the hole.

also any chance of a photo with them on if its not too much of a bother...wanna see how good/bright they look when their on

rickai · **Reply #5: February 18, 2013, 23:14:53**

Quote from: potnodleman on February 14, 2013, 03:03:58

holy cow...didnt know it was that much of a bother to change I was only recently thinking of changing mine to those LED ones too but now I think I wont rush to do it now....lol

btw...are those LED ones the actual ones u have changed to, how many smd's are on each bulb? also did u need to modify the bulb to fit because I remember someone on here recently changed theirs and had to modify it to fit the hole.

also any chance of a photo with them on if its not too much of a bother...wanna see how good/bright they look when their on

Yea, the one I took a picture of are with those LEDs installed. They are T10 42 SMD LED lights. I didn't fiddle with the bulb at all. I saw the other post too the other day and wonder why go through all the trouble. I didn't know LED had that many variations, I just got the cheapest ones on ebay. They only cost me $3 for a pair.

I tried taking a picture but my phone has crappy quality with lights, it showed much brighter and bluer than it should be so I went on google to find one that's closer.

Here's what the LED looked like (got it from the ebay seller I bought from)

Here's how bright it is, it's kinda purplish. Its closer to the 4300K range I think.

Here's what mine looks like. As you can see how biased my camera is.

For me, as long as it's not yellow, it's good enough. I don't really care much about the brightness as I already have DRL installed.

potnodleman · **Reply #6: February 19, 2013, 06:04:06**

they look real smart..I might get a pair one day

rustynutz · **Reply #7: February 19, 2013, 06:48:34**

I like the personalised numberplate in that last pic but shouldn't that be a sad face, being in NSW and all....

Oh, and is that "Panda" I spy in the passenger seat?

immx · **Reply #8: February 19, 2013, 07:51:43**

I don't want to rain on anyone's parrade, but when I changed the ones in my GD, they just pulled ou from the rear as you would expect. They have a rubber seal on so they are tight, but they do just pull out.

rustynutz · **Reply #9: February 19, 2013, 07:57:47**

potnodleman · **Reply #10: February 19, 2013, 20:29:59**

Quote from: immx on February 19, 2013, 07:51:43

I don't want to rain on anyone's parrade, but when I changed the ones in my GD, they just pulled out from the rear as you would expect. They have a rubber seal on so they are tight , but they do just pull out.

in that order I presumed

rickai · **Reply #11: March 11, 2013, 04:02:38**

Quote from: immx on February 19, 2013, 07:51:43

I don't want to rain on anyone's parrade, but when I changed the ones in my GD, they just pulled ou from the rear as you would expect. They have a rubber seal on so they are tight, but they do just pull out.

Believe me, i've tried doing that. I've tried twisting, pulling, poking and whatnot and none of those methods work. I even broke off a piece of it while trying to pull it out. I suspect different version of headlights? Mine's a Australian active so that could be the reason why. There are no rubber anywhere on those sidelights, its a hard tight plastic plug holding the wires together. I wish I had your headlights..

I wrote this guide because I've seen a few aussies had trouble doing it so I should say this apply to Australian version of GD only? I'm not sure about other countries as for now.

panda · **Reply #12: March 11, 2013, 07:42:37**

Quote from: rustynutz on February 19, 2013, 06:48:34

I like the personalised numberplate in that last pic but shouldn't that be a sad face, being in NSW and all....

Oh, and is that "Panda" I spy in the passenger seat?

I was actually thinking this looks like the parking lot of my local priceline when I read that so it very well could be

rustynutz · **Reply #13: March 11, 2013, 09:02:37**

potnodleman · **Reply #14: March 22, 2013, 19:18:14**

took the plunge and finally fitted some smd side lights....very pleased with the end results
btw...mine was easy to put in....just pull them out then replace bulb and pop back in 5min job

Dazzler · **Reply #15: March 22, 2013, 19:46:01**

That looks better

rustynutz · **Reply #16: March 22, 2013, 22:32:07**

rickai · **Reply #17: March 26, 2013, 00:15:53**

Quote from: potnodleman on March 22, 2013, 19:18:14

took the plunge and finally fitted some smd side lights....very pleased with the end results
btw...mine was easy to put in....just pull them out then replace bulb and pop back in 5min job

Looking good! Now for HID upgrade and it would look perfect!

steveb · **Reply #18: April 06, 2013, 11:57:32**

Hi
It my 1st time posting so I hope I get it right
I have just finished putting LED's parking lights in to my new GD i30 using the diagram at the top and it did take a couple of hours but only because I didn't push it in properly and it fell into the light assembly and it took 1 1/2 hours to get it out.
In the end it looks good.

huntsman · **Reply #19: April 06, 2013, 12:12:07**

Hey folks

Just letting you all know the parking lights do pull out from the back they are very tight and not much room I used a flat head screwdriver to GENTLY pry them out about 2-3mm by putting the screwdriver just under the lip at the back of the plug and twisting the screw driver gently at bottom then at the top then you can used your fingers the pull them out

GOODLUCK

rickai · **Reply #20: April 15, 2013, 00:44:50**

Quote from: huntsman on April 06, 2013, 12:12:07

Hey folks

Just letting you all know the parking lights do pull out from the back they are very tight and not much room I used a flat head screwdriver to GENTLY pry them out about 2-3mm by putting the screwdriver just under the lip at the back of the plug and twisting the screw driver gently at bottom then at the top then you can used your fingers the pull them out

GOODLUCK

Would it damage the plug easily? I will try that on my headlight and see if your way works, that way I don't have take the whole headlight out, but still pretty messy to replace just one small light. I still find my way safer and easier though, with enough patience, I don't have to risk damaging anything.

huntsman · **Reply #21: April 19, 2013, 11:46:02**

Quote from: rickai on April 15, 2013, 00:44:50

Quote from: huntsman on April 06, 2013, 12:12:07
Hey folks

Just letting you all know the parking lights do pull out from the back they are very tight and not much room I used a flat head screwdriver to GENTLY pry them out about 2-3mm by putting the screwdriver just under the lip at the back of the plug and twisting the screw driver gently at bottom then at the top then you can used your fingers the pull them out

GOODLUCK

Would it damage the plug easily? I will try that on my headlight and see if your way works, that way I don't have take the whole headlight out, but still pretty messy to replace just one small light. I still find my way safer and easier though, with enough patience, I don't have to risk damaging anything.

Sorry for the late reply. The only damage i caused was on the first one, but it was very superficial like a couple of light scratches. But the second one was clean as, you just need to be GENTLE. Just pry them out slowly, DO NOT FORCE THEM steady light to medium EVEN pressure just remeber they do click back in.

hope it helps

Rochdale Pioneers · **Reply #22: June 05, 2013, 07:42:22**

I know you are talking about GD, but if its any consolation to those of you struggling I have exactly the same issue with my FD. They're supposed to pull out from the rear, but whatever I tried they wouldn't budge! Didn't try a flat head screwdriver to pry at them though, hmmmm.....

Phil №❶ · **Reply #23: June 05, 2013, 10:43:34**

The lights in the FD are mounted with 2 barbed studs inserted into rubber plugs. A hefty pull is required but the unit is strong enough to take it.

Rochdale Pioneers · **Reply #24: June 06, 2013, 20:31:24**

So the barbed studs sit on the rubber plugs inside the light housing? I couldn't pull these out, even tried gripping one with pliers with no luck.

Would WD40 help/ do damage?

Hash · **Reply #25: February 10, 2014, 12:15:28**

Thinking of trying these CREE LEDs from Jaycar: ZD0493

zary96 · **Reply #26: September 11, 2014, 17:14:03**

Hi all
Im new here...i saw the topic and i have the 2010 I30 and i thought to put t10 68 smd position lights but i wonder if anybody has any experience with it...does the 2010 model have the same problem with pulling them out as the 2012 or i can just pull it out from the rear...i would be grateful for the help...thanks in advance