DB9 Number Plate Bulb Replacement

[magycks]

Hi All,

I have a MY14 DB9 and looking to replace rear number plate bulbs. I found some old forum posts from ~8 years ago and these 2 images which show a special tool to do it. Anyone have experience with this? Is it possible for me to do without going to buy one of these tools and if not, what is such a tool called?

Bulbs are W5W I believe

[EVR]

On my Vantage I managed without the tool but it is somewhat a pain in the ass. From the look of it, parts are the same; it's a Land Rover part actually, number XFC500040.

Since you are there, can I suggest to update the whole assembly with a LED unit to match the LED rear lights? I bought them from this UK-based gentleman in August and all went well. I had LED bulbs before in there, and they went off after a couple months, too many vibrations, plus I don't think they were very suited for exterior use. The new unit is way easier to take off too. I sold the old ones to a Land Rover owner.

Of course no affiliation, just a recommendation of a good product & service.

https://www.ebay.it/itm/Aston-Martin-Vantage-DB9-D...

Here is what they look on mine, it was midday.

Edited by EVR on Sunday 6th December 14:04

[magycks]

EVR said:

On my Vantage I managed without the tool but it is somewhat a pain in the ass. From the look of it, parts are the same; it's a Land Rover part actually.

Since you are there, can I suggest to update the whole assembly with a LED unit? To match the LED rear lights. I bought it from this UK-based gentleman in August and all went well. The new unit is way easier to take off, too. Of course no affiliation, just a recommendation of a good product & service.

https://www.ebay.it/itm/Aston-Martin-Vantage-DB9-D...

Here it what they look on mine, it was midday.

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you have any photos of the car at night with those replacement LED units?

How did you manage to do it without the tool? looks like there's a push-to-release bit of plastic to one side within the hole?

[EVR]

No pics a night sorry, but I had the same question before buying and the chap has been very helpful, hit him up. The result in real life is a bit more whiter, in my picture it might look a bit blueish.

I managed just following those instructions you posted, with a simple thin flat-head screwdriver with some tape on it to avoid scratching things. I laid down on my back under the car and proceeded. It really depends on how yours are in place, sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's not. I am sure that particular tool could be helpful, but I didn't feel like hunting it down.

Let me post you a picture of the removed assembly, you might understand a bit better how they are in place.

Edited by EVR on Sunday 6th December 14:15

[Minglar]

I did mine in May too. Pretty much the same as EVR. Bought the LED units from eBay. They are a real pain to fit but do produce a much brighter light. I didn’t use the curved tool, just a small screwdriver and some patience. There is a tab on one side of the unit which has to be pressed in to release it. One came out fairly easily, the other one took some time and involved a little huffing and puffing! Refitting is the reverse and you can hear and feel when it’s in place correctly. I also took the number plate off, as it gave me a little more room to play with, but my car is a Vantage, and it could be different on a DB9.

No pictures at night time I’m afraid, but below is a close up I took of one of the new lights after fitting. Patience and very small hands are definitely required. I won’t be doing it again in a hurry! Good luck.

Best Regards

Minglar

Edited by Minglar on Sunday 6th December 14:23

[magycks]

Minglar said:

I did mine in May too. Pretty much the same as EVR. Bought the LED units from eBay. They are a real pain to fit but do produce a much brighter light.

Do you have any photos of yours with these new LEDs (at any time of day)? Are they 'too' bright or just right?

[shuzzy]

It seems these instructions are for Vantage number plate lights, the DB9 number plate lights are different and are accessed by removing the carpet trim underneath the bootlid. I have changed mine to LED bulbs and this is how they were accessed.

[Elwood]

Will these fit ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-FREELANDER-M...

[Minglar]

magycks said:

Minglar said:

I did mine in May too. Pretty much the same as EVR. Bought the LED units from eBay. They are a real pain to fit but do produce a much brighter light.

Do you have any photos of yours with these new LEDs (at any time of day)? Are they 'too' bright or just right?

I think they look pretty good

Best Regards

Minglar

[Elwood]

Elwood said:

Will these fit ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-FREELANDER-M...

Only 3 led instead of 18

[RMDB9]

"use the wrong tool and it will break"

How about designing a cover which you can open without any special tool, Gary and Colin?

[Elwood]

Elwood said:

Will these fit ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-FREELANDER-M...

After removing my old lights today I can confirm they will fit, the part number is the same with the addition of Led on the end.

[Elwood]

magycks said:

Hi All,

I have a MY14 DB9 and looking to replace rear number plate bulbs. I found some old forum posts from ~8 years ago and these 2 images which show a special tool to do it. Anyone have experience with this? Is it possible for me to do without going to buy one of these tools and if not, what is such a tool called?

Bulbs are W5W I believe

Just removed mine with a bit of wire coat hanger bent at the end.

[magycks]

circling back on this, my db9 was different (perhaps as a late model based upon the virage)

For my rear plate bulbs, i had to pull off the top carpetting of the boot lining held on with 'fir tree' plastic bolts, twist out plastic bulb holders, replace the bulbs and twist them back in

Bit fiddly getting the bulbs in but no tools required

[carlos50]

Hi Minglar, what lamp did you get, 18 or 3 LED, is there a link to the seller please? Car is a 2009 DBS

Thanks

Carl

[carlos50]

I also plan to upgrade the D1S to a whiter colour and hopefully the H9 to match a little better than halogens.

I was thinking the chrome amber bulbs for the indicator bulbs to get rid of the amber glow in the headlight lense but cant see P27 fitment anywhere. Got a few packs of PY21 in the garage from previous use but wont fit obviously and wasnt that bothered about using LED’s there.

Thanks

[ecajag]

[quote=magycks]Hi All,

I have a MY14 DB9 and looking to replace rear number plate bulbs. I found some old forum posts from ~8 years ago and these 2 images which show a special tool to do it. Anyone have experience with this? Is it possible for me to do without going to buy one of these tools and if not, what is such a tool called?

Bulbs are W5W I believe



I'm not sure about a '14 DB9 but on my '10 DBS I've changed a number plate bulb and there's no need for a special tool.
I guess a 2014 DB9 and a 2010 DBS have the same bootlid.
You don't have to remove the light housing to change the license plate bulbs on a DBS.
Just remove the inside trim panel of the boot lid, twist the bulb holder to pull it out and remove the bulb.

[Minglar]

carlos50 said:

Hi Minglar, what lamp did you get, 18 or 3 LED, is there a link to the seller please? Car is a 2009 DBS

Thanks

Carl

Hi Carl

As far as I remember there are 18 in each unit (as you can see from my picture after fitting) and each one is completely sealed. It was a direct swap out with the old unit containing the old bulb. I’ve just had a look on eBay and I don’t think the item is available anymore, but I can pm you a link to the seller, as it may be worth contacting him directly. I don’t know if they are compatible with a DBS though. Hope that helps a bit.

Best Regards

Minglar

[carlos50]

Hi Minglar, yes please. I'm unsure if its the whole lamp to be changed or just the bulbs if the newer style?

Thanks

Carl

[Minglar]

carlos50 said:

Hi Minglar, yes please. I'm unsure if its the whole lamp to be changed or just the bulbs if the newer style?

Thanks

Carl

Hi Carl

I did actually drop you an email last week via PH, when you posted. I guess you could change the bulbs to LEDs but you still have to remove the whole unit to do that anyway, so imho you may as well change the whole thing while it’s all apart. It does of course depend on whether it’s the same for a DBS. Unfortunately I can’t help you there I’m afraid.

Best Regards

Minglar