➤ Replacing the tail light of a Lada Granta liftback

The relative simplicity of the Lada Granta’s design, including the liftback, allows for a number of preventive and repair work to be carried out outside the service center. Even during the warranty period, the manufacturer allows basic work to be carried out outside of an official service station.

For example:

replenishment of cooling system fluid and engine oil;
replacing windshield wiper blades;
replacement of light bulbs, front and rear optics.

Necessary tool for flashlight replacement

So, how to remove the rear light on a liftback: for these purposes you will need time, tools, a platform (platform), and a set of new consumables.

A set of automotive tools, in particular: a flat-tip screwdriver, an “8” socket, a socket wrench of the same size;
Rags, liquid for removing rust and corrosion WD - 40;
New optics;
Lighting lamps if necessary.

Replacement algorithm

We turn off the engine, squeeze the handbrake;
Open the back door;
Depending on the model year, the sequence of actions differs. In the first generation (until 2015), unfasten the casing flap and provide free access to the back of the optics. In the second generation, remove the plastic latch, remove the lamps, unscrew the three nuts.

We replace the reflector, lamps, and assemble the structure in the reverse order.

Catalog articles for lighting lamps in Granta Liftback rear lights

Name	OEM number / index / article
Turn signals	PY21W
Brake/side light	P21
Anti-fog headlight	P21W
Reverse	P21W
License plate	С5W
Luggage compartment	С5W
Salon	С10W

Related link:
Installing a radio in a Lada Granta with your own hands. Advice from the experts

Features of choice

For reasons of safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians, the Traffic Rules and the Technical Regulations on the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles prohibit the operation of vehicles whose external lighting devices do not meet the design requirements of the vehicle.

Standard brake light bulbs for Lada Granta P21 5W. But, many modify and install their LED analogues 48LED SMD 3014 1157 BAY15d (BAZ15d). When purchasing LED brake warning lamps, many people wonder which is better to buy: white or red? Some generally argue that white LEDs cannot be installed in the stacks of headlights with a red filter.

In terms of contrast, the white LED, of course, is inferior to the red one, but everything is readable well without any other light overlays or shades.

But here it is worth noting that the fears associated with the operation of white LEDs paired with a red filter are not unfounded, especially with regard to some old flashlights with their red filters, as well as LED lamps, the color temperature of which can exceed 6000K, varying in shade into the obvious blue.

Features of replacing the tail light of the Lada Granta liftback

After unscrewing the three nuts, remove the Grant liftback tail light from the guide grooves. This must be done carefully, without jerking and strictly straight. Otherwise, you risk damaging the plastic latch on the case.

The design is too fragile, careless handling can lead to damage. If the guide is deformed, reuse of the flashlight is no longer possible due to the lack of a lock.

Replacing the Grant liftback fog lamp in the front part is carried out by analogy. Work is carried out from the rear of the bumper.

Is it worth replacing a working running light bulb?

But such lamps have more than enough disadvantages!

Including dim light with a yellow tint, which does not have the best effect on visibility in front of the car.

All this forces people to change the running light bulbs in their cars almost immediately after purchase.

LED DRL lamp is more practical and brighter

In principle, replacement may also apply to new incandescent lamps if the old ones fail. But, nothing prevents you from using LED lamps. Pay attention only to the base, which must correspond to the connector that is supposed to be in the car.

Elements of tuning optical devices

Recently, installation of LEDs has become popular. There are many advantages with analogues: long service life, direction of the light beam, brightness, resistance to high plus and minus temperatures.

And the main trump card is cost, availability, and a wide range of color shades.

The installation process is somewhat different from the usual, as it is necessary:

dismantle the standard illuminator (lamp);
depressurize the lantern, remove the rubber seal;
cover the seat with LED strip of the required length;
connect the contact board;
Reassemble the structure in reverse order.

Recently, it has become popular to install fog lights on the rear bumper. This improves visibility when passing backwards and prevents accidents. Replacing the rear fog light of a Lada Granta liftback is carried out by analogy.

Reasons for the burnout of the brake light lamp on Grant

There can be many reasons for the frequent burnout of brake light bulbs on the Lada Granta, here are the most common ones:

Limited resource. Light bulbs from many manufacturers do not withstand constant use. Replacing standard lamps with cheap Chinese analogues makes itself felt.
Moisture getting inside the headlights. This occurs due to cracked or poorly fitting rubber seals. They are located between the body and the glass. This problem is easy to diagnose: the headlight regularly fogs up from the inside. This can also be verified by inspection.
Incorrect installation. Halogen headlights suffer if basic installation rules are not followed. For example, inexperienced car owners begin to install lamps with their bare hands, which is prohibited: the presence of greasy marks reduces their service life.
Incorrectly selected power. It is not recommended to install 100-watt lamps. You need to take less power, but increased brightness. This will significantly improve visibility and extend the life of the device.
Defective light bulbs. The low beam lamp often burns out when there are significant flaws made during assembly.
The flask tilts, the spiral moves off its axis. All this negatively affects performance.
Battery low. This happens when the unit gets old and begins to discharge quickly. Charging requires high currents, so the vehicle's on-board network suffers from overvoltage. This situation requires diagnosis by an experienced auto electrician.
Wiring problems. It can be damaged as a result of the carelessness of the car owner himself. You need to check the wiring if the car has a new owner. Understanding electrical wiring on your own is quite difficult.
Any malfunction of the on-board electrical network can cause failure of not only the light bulb, but also other electrical appliances.
Poor quality lamp. There are many unscrupulous manufacturers offering headlight bulbs with minimal working life.

If your rear brake lights stop working, you should not rush to extremes and run to an auto electrician; in most cases, the problem is solved by replacing the lamps.

Typical signs of a lighting system malfunction

lack of indication on the dashboard when the turn signals, high/low beam lever, and brake light are activated;
frequent indication of the above indicators;
the high/low beam lever does not activate the lamps;
insufficient brightness of lamps and flashlight reflector.

The above signs indicate damage, deformation, or a break in the electrical circuit of the lighting system. To troubleshoot problems, you will need comprehensive diagnostics, identification of the breakdown, and subsequent replacement of elements. You can do this either independently or by contacting a service center for help from specialists.

How to choose and replace the dimensions of the Grant sedan?

Lamps must be purchased according to the standard markings for the model. To replace the front marker, you will need a baseless W5W lighting element with a power of 21/5 W.

Products marked P21 are installed at the rear, although their power should be 4 W. To choose sedan dimensions for Grant, you can contact any car store. At the same time, the buyer will be able to purchase both standard types and brighter LED analogues.

IMPORTANT: Sometimes, a young car enthusiast may decide that he needs to install brighter lamps so that he can be better seen on the road, and that’s just cool. There is no need to do this, for one simple reason. A brighter (and therefore more powerful) lamp will generate more heat.

As a result, the reflector will begin to melt (and turn from shiny to black), the lamp socket itself will melt, and the protective “glass” of the headlight will melt if it is plastic. So yes, it will be cool the first time?

The procedure for installing the front markers is quite easy, but you need to take into account both the accuracy of the replacement and the correct installation. The front lamp of Grant's dimensions is located in the headlight unit and is easiest to get to from under the hood. First you need to remove the terminals from the battery.

Such a precaution will avoid shorting contacts and will also protect the performer himself. Next, work on replacing the front dimensions is carried out according to the following scheme:

Analysis of reviews from Lada Granta liftback owners

Grant-Eject (https://www.drive2.ru/l/6512513/): the sedan's lamps are different from those of the liftback. In the first modification they are combined, in the liftback they are separate.
Diyk: taillights often sweat on sedans, the problem has been eliminated in the liftback;
Silica Gel: to quickly remove moisture, attach a moisture absorber for shoes to double-sided tape. It doesn't last long, but it's effective. Improving the sealing of the rear lights is an alternative option.
Grant-Eject: insufficient fixation contributed to the flashlight falling out during movement.
LADA Granta 2012 (https://www.zr.ru/content/articles/832528-lampy-primenyaemye-v-avtomobile-lada-granta/): the car is reliable, unpretentious, subject to a moderate driving style. Over a period of five years of operation, breakdowns are typical and characteristic.

Check list

Turn off the engine, squeeze the parking brake lever;
Open the liftback cover;
Remove the plastic protection / sound insulation layer. The choice depends on the model year. More details are described at the beginning of the article;
Unscrew the lamps, three nuts;
Replacement of Grant liftback taillight lamps, carry out related preventive maintenance;
Reassemble the structure in reverse order.

Conclusion based on the results of the replacement The design and fixation of optical devices is not at all complicated. Every car owner can do the replacement; there is no need to contact a service center. Only as a last resort, when a global breakdown is identified or surgical intervention by a specialist is required. After reading the instructions provided, the owner knows exactly how to change the Granta liftback taillight with minimal time.