How to remove garnish panel from rear hatch door?

2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
72,000 MILES • 3.5L • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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AVECCHIO946
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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.
Apr 24, 2023 at 12:45 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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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.
Image (Click to enlarge)
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Apr 24, 2023 at 7:33 PM
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AVECCHIO946
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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.
Apr 25, 2023 at 12:44 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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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
Apr 25, 2023 at 6:38 PM
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AVECCHIO946
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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.
Apr 26, 2023 at 8:25 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

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

Joe
Apr 26, 2023 at 8:00 PM