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How to remove garnish panel from rear hatch door?

Tiny
AVECCHIO946
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 72,000 MILES
The rear License plate lamp melted on the left side; the right side is still good. Purchase OEM replacement which is 2 lamps with harness. Lamps located in rear hatch garnish panel. I already removed the inner trim and 4 nuts of garnish panel inner bolts. When I went to outside and tried to lift the garnish panel off the rear hatch door, it did not seem to come off easily. Do I have to pry the top of garnish panel to release any clips? Did not want to force I and break panel.
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Monday, April 24th, 2023 AT 12:45 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,230 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure what melted. Are you referring to the assembly that melted? If so, it is held in by two screws. See pic below.

If that is not correct, please take a picture of what you are dealing with and upload it for me to see.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Monday, April 24th, 2023 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
AVECCHIO946
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The melted lamps are not the issue. I have to replace lamps with wire harness. Need to remove garnish panel on rear hatchback of 2014 Santa Fe. Lamp harness feeds through garnish panel. After removing 4 nuts on inside of hatch back off garnish panel bolts. Panel would not come off. I now see 2 nylon clips inside hatch back that are under garnish panel. Any idea how to release these clips. Think after releasing nylon clips, the garnish panel will lift off.
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,230 POSTS
Hi,

That isn't indicated in the manual. Is there a way you could take a couple of pictures and upload them for me to see? I should be able to help.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
AVECCHIO946
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Joe, in your manual, to remove lift gate garnish panel beside it saying remove 4 nuts off bolts that are attached to garnish panel, does it say anything about removing 2 nylon clips on the bottom of panel from inside of lift gate?
I'm going to try to remove the 2 clips with a screwdriver or needle nose plier.
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Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 AT 8:25 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,230 POSTS
Hi,

For some reason, they aren't even identified. Were you able to remove them and did it help?

Joe
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Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 AT 8:00 PM

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