2006 Sonata Center Brake Light Replacement

[@rickcline9327]

It's hard to believe how ridiculous this procedure was. Thank the Lord this was the first time that bulb blew out despite nearly 240,000 miles. You saved me a ton of time with your video. People like you who take time out of your life to make other's jobs easier amazes me. Thanks.

[@cathyperry2567]

Wow, thank you for this video. I purchased a 2007 Sonata 3 weeks ago and was able to replace the bulb. The most difficult part was lining the new bulb into the opening and turning it.

[@Thomas998822]

I'm 6'2" with very large hands. I reached in the access port on top of the trunk and BARELY wiggled this bulb out and back in with my finger tips. Job took 2min. Didnt unscrew or unbolt a single thing. I went straight to the location and used good ole hand eye coordination. If you're handy, long needle nose pliers (or even better the long needle nose with a curved end) will get this job done easily in under 5min

[@juliek344]

Awesome Awesome Awesome!!!! You presented, by far, the best instructions for this project. Like the other commentators, I agree, it is the most screwy and complicated access to what should be a simple task. Shame on Hyundai. Thankfully, I followed your instructions and DID IT! I saved myself $65! The trickiest part was getting the bulb back into the housing. Phew! It's tricky. Along with my small fingers, I also used needle nosed pliers. From inside the car, I used the pliers to hold the black plastic socket until the housing sat properly on the socket, then I was able to twist it on. Wow! What a satisfying feeling! Thanks for your detailed instructions. AWESOME!

[@rritter2910]

I followed your video and it took me about 10 min. thanks to your tips. You saved me time and probably some broken parts. Thanks very much for taking the time to do this. The owners manual does not cover it . Well done.

[@mamashel5]

Thanks for this video. But, as a very large, middle aged woman, I'm pretty certain I gave my neighbors a lot of entertainment as I tried to find a reasonable position to work in! What a pain! No magnetic screwdriver, so I lost the first screw, but at least it is put back almost exactly the way it was when I started. Thanks again.

[@bremmy11]

Followed your details exactly and had a friend helping. Worked perfectly. Thanks for posting this, it definitely saved a shit-ton of time and cursing.

[@USCoastie]

Thank you! Your video turned this into a 10-minute job, from start, to clean-up, on my 2009 Sonata, and I didn't damage a single thing! Thanks, again!

[@clamczar]

Thank you so much for this video, it literally took me 10 minutes to replace the bulb because I knew exactly what to do. What a time saver. Thanks again.

[@masterbbqer]

Thank you for a good instructional video. My local garage offered to change it for $45. I watched your video and did it myself in 20 minutes. :)

[@glued137quarters]

Was successful! Thank you VERY much! Had no idea I’d be able to do this. Getting the bulb into the right place was the hardest part, given the small space to accomplish it, but overall the task took about 20 minutes. Appreciate this excellent guide. This was the only video I watched!

[@katiedunaway903]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This saved me so much time and money not having to go to the dealer! You are AWESOME!!

[@rickmaguire2513]

Thanks for the video. It saved me $100 that the dealer wanted to change the bulb.

[@cognitivecanary3532]

Thanks man I Just replace mine on my 2009 Hyundai Sonata by using this video and saved myself $55. It felt like it only took me a half hour to do with really no mechanical experience.

[@charleskarhuma2030]

Great video. I used needle nose pliers to remove and replace bulb assembly. Wasn't to difficult but if I had to many times I would cut an access panel. Thanks again for the video !

[@jameshermes1845]

Thank you for this video! I was able to follow this exactly and complete the bulb replacement on my 2009 Sonata in about 10 min. Much better and easier than ripping the whole rear platform out as in the other videos.

[@rjautomotive519]

Thanks for the video! One tip to make this an almost easy job... once you get the socket out, cut that long plastic tab off as close to the wires as you can. This will give you just enough room to install the socket with the brake light housing out of the vehicle and slide it in place with the socket already installed.

[@melissaoblitey8187]

much respect, i have been trying to do this for the past 2 weeks but i followed your way and i did it less than 30 mins. God bless you keep it up

[@cedricraywilliams]

Thanks for the video. It helped a great deal. I took a pair of snips and trimmed that light plug. I made it short enough that I can install the new bulb in the fixture from inside the car. I have big hands and couldn't reach the off set hole.

[@tayninh69]

Sure wish I would have seen this video instead of the other one I saw. This one is a lot more complete, the other one skipped the whole part on how to get the light bulb socket back into place after you change out the light bulb. JOB WELL DONE.

[@danielbeary324]

At valvoline station tech said the center brake lamp can't be replaced! Called dealere who told me I had to remove entire panel and all parts on trunk " ceiling" under the center brakelamp. I am so happy you made this video. Never would I have guessed it was so tedious to replace this bulb. What a horrible engineering design! The front headlamp replacement isn't any better and I've been told that only a qualified Hundai dealer mechanic is able to replace the fog lamps! Maybe there is a video for that too. Much appreciated. Thanks. Danny, New Milford Ct

[@christis8014]

Fog lamps = easier than rear window brake light and there is a video available for that too lol. Good luck!

[@jakejones5736]

+Daniel Beary For what it's worth, I replaced the lower headlight lamp assembly. Seems it was a little bit of work but not that difficult.

[@nostrilnick]

I need to do this tomorrow on my daughter's car. Hyundai appears to be in need of a swift kick in the nuts for this design.

[@Sean-ct6wr]

Very clear and easy to follow. I saw a video where the person removed some of the interior and trim just to get to the bulb. Glad I found this video.

[@lizstowers8860]

This video is a life saver. I didn't end up changing the bulb myself but passed on to my mechanic who changed the bulb within 3/4hr. I couldn't believe the dealer here in NZ wanted to take out the back seat etc. etc. Don't fall for this people they SHOULD KNOW how to change the light bulb without the expense. I did spend a few hours in the boot but couldn't manage. Perhaps better tools would have helped me. I'm in Whangarei if you want to know where to take your car.....................

[@ItsPinkLemonadee]

Well I have the worst luck. Followed your video, the light's plastic assembly was dry rotted, so it cracked as I tried to pull the tabs up. Only the left one came up, the middle and right one wouldn't budge. It ended up breaking but I can super glue it back together, lol. Then as I tried to stick the lightbulb through the hole, the light bulb came loose and fell instead that metal hellhole. I lost it forever. So I'm like, hey, no worries, I got an extra bulb! And I fumbled with it some more, it fell out too. Inside the metal hellhole. So now I have a broken interior car part, two lost bulbs and wasted money, lol. Imma try again later once I purchase more bulbs. But your video was very helpful!

[@vboz9271979]

Definitely will be using this video as a guide.... Last thing I wanted to do was wreck anything like the last video somebody else posted. Thank you!

[@michaelmercurio6612]

Oh thank you! Been trying to change that bulb for 3 months. Great video.

[@jimshaw1568]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It was as painful as you described. Its all done and working fine. I think I would have destroyed this thing if I didn't watch this first. You are a good man!

[@cedricraywilliams]

Thanks for the tips fellas! I agree with Mr. Fisher. Worst 3rd light job in a long long time.

[@sparklingkisses3894]

DUDE. Thank you so much for this video. We had no idea how to get in there, after watching us it took us less than 10 minutes. You rock.

[@hiflite2925]

I tried to do this the way everyone has been saying it needs to be done. Here's what I did: The plastic socket the bulb goes into, the one with the wires, is very long. Don't know why that is, because it's dumb. So I took some scissors, and cut the whole bottom part of it, up to where the wires are. Do not cut the wires! I cut it into a smooth V shape. After I did that, I was able to reinstall the bulb and lock into place, inside the 3rd brake housing, AND put it back into place, with the light bulb installed! Piece of cake. After that, go ahead and reinstall both screws, to lock the housing into place. Voila. Done. No more having to have small fingers to lock the bulb into place. Worked great for me!

[@winterdesert1]

I have a 2008 Hyundai and took a close look at it, and watched some of these videos. I think the odd design is so that you can reach in that square hole and using your hand turn the bottom plastic part of that light to unscrew it. I think the length and bulkiness of it is to do that. So then you just do everything from the trunk of your car. I'm still going to have to remove my light cover though because I need to re-tint my back window and its in the way.

[@jamesreese1561]

This was VERY helpful, just replaced the bulb, no issues. About 30-40 mins. Just need a good magnetic Phillips head, I used an old fashion wood handle wide screwdriver which was perfect for prying the light unit up. Two notes I have skinny long fingers which helps feeding the light socket back into place. I'm 6'4 so the hardest part was lying on my back in the trunk!

[@josephrodriguez4289]

Thank you for the video I use a long nose tool to maneuver and it was really easy to do.. i really appreciate you saving me $80 plus with this video!!!!

[@tomverret3430]

Thanks - best video out there to guide you through this RIDICULOUSLY difficult light bulb change! What was Hyundai thinking???

[@kangkang44]

Thanks for posting this, it was very helpful! After my wife told me my hi-center light was out, I then started noticing that almost every single 2006 and new Sonata I see has this light out. Now I know see why--people probably took one look at this design and said "f-it"

[@LordTondor1956]

+jimo Yes, and if you read the manual, this is the ONLY bulb in the car that there is no directions for replacing!

[@flyingwalrus7831]

2019, just had to replace mine. This video was a lifesaver, THANKS. I used two flat heads to do the rotating because i couldn't get it flush with my fingers

[@karlinanichole]

This was really helpful! My friend and I managed to follow this easily!

[@uknowmeazdaddy384]

Thank you so much!!! Your tutorial was more than excellent from start to finish:))

[@raykohnert2588]

This is one of the many reasons that nobody ever admits to being an automotive engineer. Auto mechanics will always make better engineers at a fraction of the wage.

[@bdicta1]

This was an awesome video! Thank you so much for taking the pains to shoot it! has saved me a lot of headaches!!!!

[@bobbyhernandez9664]

Thank you for the video it was a bit of a chore but I got it done

[@AAAAAA-ov9if]

Thank You for this video I just came back from Pep Boy store and they did not know how to change it. Also I asked guys at Autozone and they did not too

[@1999convert]

Thank you very much for this excellent video!

[@qerniep]

I am greatly appreciative of this video :) thank you so much for everything. You've definitely helped me and honestly made me more interested about something im truly passionate about. Cheers friend.

[@IamGhede]

Thank you. This seems better than taking the whole damn assembly apart like I've seen in other videos.

[@scottquittner1155]

Thanks very much for the video. I would have been screwing with it for a while but your video was spot on. I did lose the old bulb and the one screw somewhere in that trunk shelf. Will probably fall out at some point.

[@MidnightHabit]

Whoever designed this and whoever signed off on it should be made to change these lights for free for the rest theirs lives. Difficult take apart. Impossible to put back together. I finally gave up and just left the screws out.

[@EvgheniiDoroschevici]

thanks ! really helped me, one little add here, i was even able to pull the whole 3rd stop body out and fix whatever i had to fix there, like goes to this post!

[@davidwintczak3416]

READ THIS***** dude! Your video was much better than the one where you gotta cut the metal. TYVM I'm keyboard player with fairly skinny long fingers. I thought I could bypass some of this by reaching in... no dice. LOL. HOWEVER!!! I got it done very fast by snapping the top red lens back down all the way and using a long hemostat (clipped to the plastic socket flange) to hold the bulb and socket from underneath, stick it up through the hole, hold it there and with the other hand take a long skinny screwdriver give it the twist to lock it in. BINGO! Done! WHEW!! GTG

[@BrandonShelton09]

Fantastic How-to, can't thank you enough for creating this.

[@y.min919]

thanks for the vid... still took ages and a mate showing up to help to get it done..

[@jenniferbales2435]

Great video! Easy to take apart, but it did take me a bit to get the bulb back into place.

[@cbsctomh]

There is an easier way...remove the electrical connector and the two screws, then pry up on the front of the light housing and pry up on the outer two rear tabs ALONG WITH THE CENTER REAR TAB. The entire housing comes up and the light holder can be removed and pulled out the bottom. Trim as much of the light holder tab away as you can (I trimmed about 5/8" off). Now replace the light and light holder into the housing and feed the wires down thru the hole. Then slide the three tabs back into place and press down on the housing until it clicks into place. With the light in the housing, the original untrimmed tab does not allow you enough room to return the housing. Then reinstall the two screws from the bottom. I used a telescoping round magnet to get them started. You gave me the basics but I think you'll find my way easier. Thanks!

[@eliconwell5372]

Excellent video, very instructive, thank you

[@BryanAlff1]

You sir, are amazing! Thank you for posting this.

[@christis8014]

THANK YOU! Rear window brake light changed courtesy of you. Prior to your video I could not figure this one out for anything. Being the number of years I've had my car I've changed the headlights, taillights & fog lights and other maintenance without any issues on my car. This was the trickiest by far. Ever since the Hyundai dealer wanted to charge me $179 as they "had to remove the entire dash to change a cabin filter" I am all for learning to fix things myself. Took me all of 4 minutes to do the cabin filter. Took me about 30 minutes to fix the rear brake light. I am very grateful for having tiny girl hands as my husbands was having a heck of a time trying to help me as his hands are too big. Guys, if you have big hands and have a small handed wife, daughter or friend available to help you out I recommend you ask for help..

[@kangkang44]

There is a way to make this easier--but only for your next time. When I was lifting the plastic housing up to get my fingers in to twist the socket out, I basically said "screw this my fingers are to big and I'm not shredding them for this". So I pressed down hard on the rear deck right in the center of the housing opening, and pulled hard on the housing and got the entire housing free. Then it was easy to r/r the socket because it's in my lap. Then --because the "sticking point" of yanking that housing out was the sheer length of that socket housing, I took some side-cutters and clipped off about 3/4 inch of that plastic socket-housing tail. I sanded the end of the cut to get rid of the burrs from the cut. So with the bulb replaced and the socket put back, the housing easily slid back in, and it was easy to fish the wires downward through the access hole and put it all back together.

[@stanviers8792]

Kudos to you man... im going to cut an acess hole with a 4" cut off wheel.

[@donruf4992]

Best idea i have heard so far

[@stanviers8792]

@@donruf4992 took like 10 minutes , next time ittl take like 30 seconds 😉

[@stanviers8792]

Hell yeah!!! Lol

[@Grejam53]

How far over did you cut your new access hole?

[@robp9746]

Thank you. What a pain in the ass to change one little light bulb. Took me 3 hours.

[@BuddhaSheep]

Great video all around, thanks!

[@davehudson3439]

Possibly the worst bit of automotive engineering i have ever seen. Leave it to the Koreans to make a small task like changing a light bulb, into a time consuming, tedious pain in the ass! Would a plastic access cover on the light housing be that difficult to design? Thankyou for posting this video. Youve saved hundreds of Sonata owners hours of grief :)

[@davehudson3439]

I guess my fingers are too fat, i struggled doing it your way, unsuccessfully. So i got out my reciprocating saw and enlarged the access window in the trunk. Problem solved...it was easy after that. Why the manufacturer couldnt provide a larger opening is beyond me. Its so asinine, its incomprehensible. Funny thing is, i used to like Hyundai

[@jeffreynolds9157]

Very good video. Thanks!

[@jem8569]

Thanks for the video, took about an hour but I got it done.

[@xploration4818]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@gregpolachuk]

Thank you for this video, however a warning to all, including us techs. I just wrecked my back doing this. Laying in a trunk. This job is a pain. In the future all this gen Sonota gets a yep centre brake light works. Will never call this light out ever again.

[@bruceprigge5212]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@medemj]

Thanks for the video. I just wanted to add something that helped me. I got to the part where you push the new bulb into the light assembly and then try to squeeze your fingers under the housing and lock the bulb in by twisting the fitting. I couldn't get my fingers to fit so that I could turn the bulb and after several minutes and mutltiple F bombs my blood pressure was reaching dangerous levels. I looked at the plastic socket that the bulb fits in and I couldn't figure out why they have that extra plastic sticking so far below the bulb. I got my dremel tool out and cut off the extra plastic (careful to not cut the wires). I was then able to insert the bulb into the housing, feed the wires down into the trunk from the top and then just push the brake light assembly with the bulb already inserted back into place. It rubbed just a tiny bit putting it back into place.

[@rbretthill]

Thanks for the video! It was very helpful.

[@robertshahan5450]

Thanks for video had no clue till now

[@lexmartine2744]

Real helpful thanks 👌

[@earlfisher6708]

The absolute worst 3rd brake light bulb replacement I've ever done. 20yrs in the business never seen anything so disappointing.. my solution is to cut off the excess plastic on the socket so the socket comes out through the interior with the housing! Great and helpful video though. . Thank you!

[@TrevorLindgren]

Nice Video Thanks! I'm surprised how difficult this is. They should make this more accessible to change the light bulb.

[@TrevorLindgren]

They make an LED bulb now for this. I had to pay my mechanic $50 for the installation because I decided I did not want to do this but I had them put in an LED bulb so hopefully I will never have to do it again.

[@dfhowes]

This was my first thought as well. If replacing a bulb is this much trouble, might as well go LED - they're brighter and last much longer.

[@givemethedaily1052]

Worked for me. PAIN IN THE A$* to change. Who the F*&K designed this. Also lost a bulb somewhere in there :) So glad they come in two packs.

[@heathershortyanderson2891]

Giveme TheDaily I lost a bulb also. Piece of crap!

[@BigSmurf]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@chriss.4468]

I found that on the little black bulb holder there is a long tab the wires are taped to. This appeared to be non-functional so I used tin snips to break it off. This way I was able to screw in the bulb holder while the housing was out and clear of the window and with some pushing was able to get it back in place. It was much easier than trying to screw it back in while the housing was just lifted up a bit.

[@gwho]

Stimulating the g spot was easier than this.

[@jtkert4763]

No wonder the dealer wanted $65 to change a bulb! Anyone see how easy the other stop light bulbs get changed? This one was designed by an engineer who had been fired and was told this design was his last assignment..

[@jonathanbecker8935]

Oh crap my back hurts just watching this video. It also triggers a wee bit of that anxiety you feel when you have to complete a complex task whilst sitting in an award position in a tight space. God I hate that feeling. There's a special place in hell for the engineers who thought this was an okay design.

[@michaelhuff6447]

Much easier to go via the rear seats, assuming they fold down. Much less confining and more light to see the job from the open trunk.

[@agris68]

thank u so much for the vid!

[@grimmster111]

great video! I do highly recommend anyone to go buy a needle nosed pliers for this, makes it a tad easier then trying to squeeze your fingers in there!

[@allenmgb]

Thank you sir good video.

[@smonson1436]

Would it be better to get some green and black wires, maybe 12 in in length and do a splice connection under the trunk compartment so that you can feed the excess inside when you remove the bulb housing? This way you can have a better way to secure the bulb? Great video and tips, thanks.

[@durango9595]

Is it the same for a 2011? I've seen 3 videos now all for a 2006

[@alvinbrooks170]

My friend came to me today with this same problem no equipment needed.... let back seats down, lay flat on back wit your head towards the trunk, reach through the square hole and the circle hole with fingers, You'll be able to feel bub holder, turn it counterclockwise and it comes right out... look through small middle hole when putting back... Takes about five or ten minutes

[@briangeary395]

Alvin Brooks Bullshit, half an hour at least and job not done., You CAN NOT get fingers in that ridiculously small hole. can NOT!

[@alvinbrooks170]

did it in five min

[@alvinbrooks170]

Brian Geary did it n five min no tools

[@ken306809]

THANKS !

[@jeehooahn9114]

How did you get the light to drop out? It doesn't rotate? Is it lefty loosey from the perspective of the bulb? I wish the video didn't just skip this portion. It's the most crucial part i'm stuck at.

[@nuckelheddjones6502]

+Jeehoo Ahn ONE WAY IT WILL TURN THE OTHER WAY IT WONT IDIOT

[@jeehooahn9114]

Nuckelhedd Jones when someone is asking a nuanced question, and the responder is completely oblivious of the nuance and level of depth, they commit the error of interpreting the question as a really superficial one, and make themselves look like an idiot guilty of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

[@ricks.1318]

Thanks dude !!!! I have to go replace mine on my 2009 .... (looks like a bit of a P.I.A. ) "Engineers" ... they KNOW they could make it more accessible ..... Fools !!

[@fredkelbert1913]

Why won’t the plastic cover lift off completely from the shelf once the Phillips screws have been removed underneath? Applying electrical tape along the edge of the metal of the panel might prevent cut fingers when the connector is removed from the bulb socket.

[@donruf4992]

Because the bulb socket is too long and prevents the Cover from coming off ( Rear window prevents Cover lifting up enough to clear bulb socket

[@michaelhuff6447]

@@donruf4992 There is another trick. Still easier to remove as he says, but if you cut out a small notch in the center of the rear deck where the bulb socket hits it, you can install the bulb the way. After removing the bulb, you can take the whole lens cover assembly off the rear deck. Cut the little notch. Install the socket with bulb back in the assembly. Push down on the deck near the notch to give some extra space and the socket will clear the deck. Depending on the metal clip location it may not have much grab if the notch is right there, but the two screws hold it just fine.

[@earlgardner6181]

The video referred to is showing replacement of bulb of the third brake under the rear window. I need replace of bulb for 3rd break light located in the spoiler, not under the rear window.

[@lokilos8639]

This was probably the. Most tedious shit I've ever done. Ended up losing and bulb and a screw. It took me a little over an hour. Thanks hyundai

[@flatwater5]

When I did this on my 2007, I took a dremel cut wheel and cut off the excess plastic tail on the bulb housing. It seemed to be designed solely to be an impediment.

[@AMC-eq3jr]

Slick Rick was asked to design something for the dealer like Mercedes and BMW. Everything including the tires are proprietary.

[@jeanyurtseven1510]

WOULD IT BE EASIER IF YOU CUT OUT THE HOLE TO BE BIGGER ?

[@paradigm6083]

Sonata 2006 NF 5th gen EASY WAY - Replacing burned out 3rd brake light 921 bulb Do not do this the hard way. You will turn a small job into a big mess, and you will break many things. No seats, body parts, trim need be removed. Go smart, calm and easy. Replacing burned out 3rd brake light 921 bulb 1. You need a Phillips screwdriver (magnetic), long curved forceps (key tool - get at Harbor Freight), and flashlights (head, curved, etc.). Position lights so you can see at every step. 2. Empty truck & put down rear seats. Now you have room to stretch out (legs in rear seat). From inside trunk 3. Remove (magnetic screw driver) 2 screws holding 3rd brake light housing (see other videos) - keep screws (put in bowl). 4. Disconnect light socket/pigtail from electrical harness to get more work room. 5. Use forceps to twist and pull socket/pigtail from housing (forceps can be locked, do not loose socket in the space below housing and above trunk top). In the back seat 6. You can now lift housing when the socket is out. 7. Look and test light socket and housing so you know how to position everything when putting it back together. 8. Put housing back in place. From inside trunk 9. Reconnect pigtail and test new bulb. If bulb works, then reverse of above setup (position flashlights; screw in housing - 2 screws; position socket/pigtail with forceps; push into housing and twist to lock; reconnect pigtail to harness; test). A H mechanic can do this in 15 minutes, unless the DIY forced and broke things. You can buy a new socket pigtail ($8), if necessary. Hyundai 2005 150K. I did this badly at 75K I did this smartly at 150K (clean, empty trunk with back seat down; forceps and light are key). Look at other videos. Consider brake switch failure. Use a wedged board to depress brake peddle and activate brake light. Yes, a simple access port right below housing would make this a 5 minute job.

[@nup5]

This worked!!! I have small hands, and my method was slightly different, but it worked. 2009 Sonata GLS. - I disconnected the power connector from inside the trunk. - I unscrewed the screws holding the housing in place, from inside the trunk. - From inside the car cabin, I popped out the top light housing. The bulb and socket blocked me from taking it out completely. But I could still reach it. - Carefully, I used my hands to unscrew the bulb socket. While still inside the car. - After removed, the housing easily came out. I put it aside. --- I did drop the bulb socket, but it was easy to find with a flashlight. - I carefully removed the burnt out bulb and slid a fresh 921 bulb into place. - I put the housing back where it was supposed to go, and carefully used my tiny hands to lift and screw the bulb socket in place. - I locked the housing down. Then went back to the trunk. - I hooked up the power connector again, reinstalled the screws. Done!

[@y.min919]

for the record do you know how to remove the fog lights (front)? thanks

[@spamxhere]

Sorry, this is the only video I've made. I haven't needed to replace the fog lights (yet).

[@arielfigueroa4811]

Yes 👍 tnks

[@zjones9876]

I did this 3 years ago and hope to never have to do it again.

[@johnny-ko4mm]

fuck, i think i have to burn my car to the ground now

[@alrumps6806]

Thanks for the video. It really helped to clarify things for me. Thanks to you, I finished replacing mine in about 10 min. This non-KZbin link was pretty helpful too..... www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2009_Hyundai_Sonata_GLS_2.4L_4_Cyl./lights/center_brake_light

[@robertschottenfeld5861]

Thanks. I would not have figured out how to do it. What a pain. Very poor design.

[@QGJohn]

It seems like it would be much easier if you remove the whole light housing when it is unscrewed. Evidently (based on the comments), this cannot be done, (at first), due to the long plastic tab on the bulb assembly. So to remove, you have to do the fingers under the housing trick. But after that, it seems the easiest is to completely remove the assembly, cut the long plastic tab (as others have mentioned), reconnect the bulb assembly, then put the housing back into place. After this, just attach the screws from underneath and reconnect the electrical. I will try this when I do the replacement. If anyone know that this would not work, please let me know, including why. Thanks!

[@QGJohn]

After further thought, a possible other option might be to cut a hole in the sheet metal directly below where the bulb assembly goes up and into the light housing. This is how the car should have been made anyway. Then the plastic tab would be useful to facilitate turning the bulb assembly to remove or reattach the assembly to the housing. This would probably allow the bulb to be changed without unscrewing any of the phillips screws. It does not look like this would affect the car functionally at all. For more discussion or to provide more info please email me: connajj at bellsouth.net

[@kbbenton7792]

John Connaughton John - nice suggestion and I think Hyundai would have been wise to have designed it that way - expose the bottom of the bulb for easy access.

[@QGJohn]

FYI, 2 weekends ago, my son-in-law & I cut out an opening just below the bulb assembly using a grinder. It was a little tougher job to cut there than I expected. Mostly due to the fact that for some reason, that piece of metal right there is 2 layers, but only 1 layer in most of the other areas. But, if I ever have to change that bulb again, the job will now be super easy.

[@rajuawaara1]

John Connaughton Nice Suggestion. This is exactly what I did since my fingers were not deft enough to get under the housing to get the bulb holder in place. I just cut the plastic tab on the holder down to almost the wire outlet and then was able to slide the housing into place along with the bulb. Many have posted about cutting the sheet metal to create access but I am not in favor of altering the monocoque body since you never know what new weak point you may have created in the vehicle frame (this is just a personal preference thing on my part).

[@QGJohn]

I actually did wind up cutting the sheet metal. A little harder job than I expected, but if I ever have to change that bulb again, it will be a very simple task.