1A Auto is my go-to source for information on how to fix my family’s cars. We’re on a limited budget, so I try to do as many minor repairs as I can in my own. I’m definitely no mechanic. 1A Auto always explains the tools I will need, and shows in the video every step to fix what I need. I’m so thankful for them. They’ve saved me a TON of money and headaches. Thank you so much!
+Kyle Parker Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by showing you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
Thank you so much for this! We had just purchased a 2003 Subaru Legacy Outback and the rear driver’s side brake light was not working. At the same time, the gear shift was locked in park. After researching that rear brake light issues and blown fuse (as well as possibly a bad brake light switch) can all be causes of gear shift getting locked in park, I had a look at the rear brake light and pointed out to my hubby that the brake light cover was 1/2 filled with water! It had a hairline crack and previous owner had it sitting for 5 months. I searched out how to change the brake light, found your video and we followed it successfully to remove the cover. We drained it, then pulled out the socket assembly like you showed and removed the water filled bulb as well. I cleaned the socket, removed the rust and used fine steel wool to finish the inside clean up of socket. Everything in the socket looked good after the clean up. I then put in a new bulb, put everything back together. Hubby replaced the fuse (#16 in fuse box, 20a fuse). Started the car up, lights work and the gear shift is no longer locked up! It ended up being about a $12 fix and left us with an extra bulb and lots of spare 20a fuses.
This was really helpful although my sockets weren't deep enough, the video helped this single mom get her light changed and back onto the road! I'm glad I have tiny hands. Great instructions.
Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by showing you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
Note that these repair instructions also work for the 2005 Subaru Outback, unlike other videos I found, which claim to be for the 05 Outback but in fact show different light assemblies. Thanks for a set of very helpful instructions!
+Cindy S Thanks for watching. If you would like to leave us a review on our Facebook page here is a link to it. Have a great day! facebook.com/1AAuto/reviews/
Mike, thanks for this... this reminds me a few years back my wife side swiped a guard rail in her 1992 Loyale... I found an '86 DL in a junk yard and replace the fender and front and back doors....not only did all the plugs (PW.PDL,PM) all mate up and work, and the color (ice blue) matched perfectly...but HER IGNITION KEY FIT AND WORKED THE FRONT DOOR LOCK....Gotta love the soobies....I've drive nothing else since....
Got a tail-lamp assembly from a junk yard for $25. Good as new. Spent maybe 3 hours on the project, including travel time, testing, struggling with that top mount because I didn't have an 8mm socket and had to use a combination wrench. I attached the nut to a 9mm socket using scotch tape, and got it started on the threads that way. ;) A dealer quoted me $240 for the same job. So, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
thank u very much for Explaining I had hard time trying to figure out on how to remove it whew I have a 2001 Outback same color as this car mine is almost 200k still runs very good :)
+charles waugh Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Thanks for the instruction. It was easier than I thought and your video was right on. I ended up replaced all the bulbs. I figured if one was gone the rest would be going soon.
Possibly covered somewhere but here's my question: bought bulbs, are they dual purpose? I.e. break light/backup light? Or do I need to buy separate bulbs for each function.
I was told there were 2 different bulbs on each back lite. One the brake and two the turning lite. I was also told by a police officer how to change only the brake lite. He said that there were screws ( 2 of them). He said open the trunk lid and the screws were in plain view. He said take the screws out, pull the bad lite bulb out and screw the new lite bulb in. Then put the bulb back into the hole. Snap it in place. Then put the lite cover back on the side panels screwing back in the 2 screws to close the panel. I only see one bulb. Forget this bull. Im taking it into the shop. Yhanks for nothing Mine is a 2002 Subaru Legacy l. Not working for me.
25.09.18 - Is this a common fault, ours has done a gentle 70,000 ks and the right rear bulb has blown and the turn arm which is crazy considering shes only done 70,000 ks.
+TheKellykeyes We currently do not have an auto repair video on this particular repair. We will keep this request in mind in the event that we need to make this repair. Thank you for asking. 1aauto.com
√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto
√ *Do it Yourself*
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1A Auto is my go-to source for information on how to fix my family’s cars. We’re on a limited budget, so I try to do as many minor repairs as I can in my own. I’m definitely no mechanic. 1A Auto always explains the tools I will need, and shows in the video every step to fix what I need. I’m so thankful for them. They’ve saved me a TON of money and headaches. Thank you so much!
+Kyle Parker Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by showing you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! Every time I have a question about any of my vehicles, you guys have an easy to follow video.
+Tim Wochomurka Thanks for the kind words. Glad to hear we could help you out. 1aauto.com 866-403-3393
Thank you so much for this! We had just purchased a 2003 Subaru Legacy Outback and the rear driver’s side brake light was not working. At the same time, the gear shift was locked in park. After researching that rear brake light issues and blown fuse (as well as possibly a bad brake light switch) can all be causes of gear shift getting locked in park, I had a look at the rear brake light and pointed out to my hubby that the brake light cover was 1/2 filled with water! It had a hairline crack and previous owner had it sitting for 5 months. I searched out how to change the brake light, found your video and we followed it successfully to remove the cover. We drained it, then pulled out the socket assembly like you showed and removed the water filled bulb as well. I cleaned the socket, removed the rust and used fine steel wool to finish the inside clean up of socket. Everything in the socket looked good after the clean up. I then put in a new bulb, put everything back together. Hubby replaced the fuse (#16 in fuse box, 20a fuse). Started the car up, lights work and the gear shift is no longer locked up! It ended up being about a $12 fix and left us with an extra bulb and lots of spare 20a fuses.
Great Vid, and exactly what I needed - just FYI for anyone else doing this, 8mm = 5/16 USAE - or close enough to fit.
This was really helpful although my sockets weren't deep enough, the video helped this single mom get her light changed and back onto the road! I'm glad I have tiny hands. Great instructions.
Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by showing you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
Note that these repair instructions also work for the 2005 Subaru Outback, unlike other videos I found, which claim to be for the 05 Outback but in fact show different light assemblies. Thanks for a set of very helpful instructions!
Hello and THANK YOU!! I couldn't figure out how to change this tail light, but with your help this 58 yr old lady could!
+Cindy S Thanks for watching. If you would like to leave us a review on our Facebook page here is a link to it. Have a great day! facebook.com/1AAuto/reviews/
Mike, thanks for this... this reminds me a few years back my wife side swiped a guard rail in her 1992 Loyale... I found an '86 DL in a junk yard and replace the fender and front and back doors....not only did all the plugs (PW.PDL,PM) all mate up and work, and the color (ice blue) matched perfectly...but HER IGNITION KEY FIT AND WORKED THE FRONT DOOR LOCK....Gotta love the soobies....I've drive nothing else since....
Got a tail-lamp assembly from a junk yard for $25. Good as new. Spent maybe 3 hours on the project, including travel time, testing, struggling with that top mount because I didn't have an 8mm socket and had to use a combination wrench. I attached the nut to a 9mm socket using scotch tape, and got it started on the threads that way. ;)
A dealer quoted me $240 for the same job. So, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
+Burton Keeble Thank you for your positive feedback! We are happy we could help.
That’s my car! Same color and everything!
Thank this was an easy fix using this video.
thank u very much for Explaining I had hard time trying to figure out on how to remove it whew I have a 2001 Outback same color as this car mine is almost 200k still runs very good :)
William Isch I have a 2002 with 265k and she still runs like a dream
HI, We had our customers submit some videos that they had created. The contest has ended. We received some great videos.
This is helpful. To be even more helpful, though, a close up of the bulb and a maybe a part number would awesome.
Thanks for checking us out. Shop here for high quality auto parts: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c +Sean Downing
T H A N K S ! Saved me a lot of 'figuring it out' time!
+charles waugh Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Thanks for the instruction. It was easier than I thought and your video was right on. I ended up replaced all the bulbs. I figured if one was gone the rest would be going soon.
I like this video a lot but perhaps you shuld have gotten a closer camera angle when you actually removes the nuts and bulbs.
You said you didn’t need to take off the assembly to replace a bulb but you didn’t show that at all.
On these year outbacks the bottom bulb can be accessed through the access panel but the not topmost brake light bulb. Just did the repair.
Exactly, they said you'd only need a screwdriver. I guess I'll have to take off the whole thing. Oh well.
Possibly covered somewhere but here's my question: bought bulbs, are they dual purpose? I.e. break light/backup light? Or do I need to buy separate bulbs for each function.
Hi Mike I was wondering about the "1A Auto Video Contest" is about. Also Im sure you you guys get this alot..but your videos are great! Keep it up :)
Very helpful video. You make it look so easy.
Thank you for a clear and concise video! I do need to purchase something I do not know what it is called so I will call you :)
+Cynthia Levenstein We look forward to your call! www.1aauto.com
Thank you so much!
THANK YOU
Yep; very helpful! I was able to do this.
+mary fuller Leykom Thanks for watching. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
great-thank you.
Very Helpful Thanks!
Thank you!
excellent. Thank You.
No problem. Glad to hear it helped you out. 1aauto.com?TH-cam&CTA%20Comment&ATony 866-403-3393
Thank you for the fast reply...great videos...eep them coming... :)
You didn’t even show removing the bulb
I was told there were 2 different bulbs on each back lite. One the brake and two the turning lite. I was also told by a police officer how to change only the brake lite. He said that there were screws ( 2 of them). He said open the trunk lid and the screws were in plain view. He said take the screws out, pull the bad lite bulb out and screw the new lite bulb in. Then put the bulb back into the hole. Snap it in place. Then put the lite cover back on the side panels screwing back in the 2 screws to close the panel. I only see one bulb. Forget this bull. Im taking it into the shop. Yhanks for nothing
Mine is a 2002 Subaru Legacy l. Not working for me.
thank you very much AAAAA+
+joe marki Thanks for watching. Keep us in mind in the future if you need more parts for your vehicle. 1aauto.com
You didn't show how to fix the tail lights that are in the rear hatch door...
what is the bulb number for the light below the turn signal
+Dane Crawford Thanks for watching! That should be a 3157 type bulb.
25.09.18 - Is this a common fault, ours has done a gentle 70,000 ks and the right rear bulb has blown and the turn arm which is crazy considering shes only done 70,000 ks.
+Specialized 29er This can be a common issue, especially when dealing with older model vehicles.
where do I find the video for a 2015 outback?
+TheKellykeyes We currently do not have an auto repair video on this particular repair. We will keep this request in mind in the event that we need to make this repair. Thank you for asking. 1aauto.com
Why doesn't Subaru have a simple unscrewing of the assembly as in my Ford Ranger ? --- anbd many other vehicles.
lol imagine taking out the radio … was a pain
funny how everyone shows how to do the easy outter bulb, but no one wants to show how to do the tailgate bulbs on these or the Bajas lol
what size is the bulb for a brake light?
+Drake Lansing There should be a part number on the bulb when you remove it. Hope this helps you out. 1aauto.com
What’s the name of the bulbs I need?
1157 on the wagon, 3157k on sedan.
Thanks for watching. 1aauto.com 888-844-3393 FREE SHIPPING in the lower 48 states.
You said you could do it without taking apart the whole assembly and then didn't show that. This video is completely useless to me...
Very Helpful thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you👍