2002 max, I have to hit the license plate light for it to come on.

Do I have to remove the screws on the bulbs above the license plate or do I have to remove the top cover for the trunk and do it that way?

My mechanic says autizone sells some fluid that cleans the connectors, he says this will work on my light shortage.

The license plate plate works but it needs to be hit in order to turn on.

 

You access each side indepentantly by the two screws per side above the tag. The whole thing comes out seperately and unplugs. It could be a bad bulb or loose. Inspect and fix. Don't buy anything special to clean. Just take some fine grit sandpaper and clean off any oxidation if present. Should resolve your issues.

 

you dont need any of that cleaning stuff. just take both lights out, if you have to hit them to work its probably a loose bulb or broken wire as said

 

Thanks, will do in the morning

Something went wrong, one of the lights won't even light up anymore. Only one side turns on now and I'm on the way to court.

I blew into one of the connectors and I don't know if something went wrong due to that. Will have to fix once I get back.

 

I would be willing to bet that your connections are just fine. Bulbs are a wear and tear part, so chances are they're blown. Swap them out with new ones, and you should be fine.

 

They actually worked before I blew into the connectors and the side in didn't open still works when I tap it, I don't think I should have blown into the connectors.

 

In sincer effort to help you, blowing into the connector did nothing. You are making an assumption of a connection where there is not. There may be a short in the harness wire. There could be a loose connection where the harness plugs into the light. Or, most likely the bulb filament is rattling around inside and is making then breaking the connection depending on how it's moved. This would be consistent with your report of banging the trunk would make the light come on.

If one bulb stayed on, then swap it over to the "bad" side. If it works fine, its the bulb. If it has the same intermittent symptoms as the other bulb, check for the loose connection, damaged wire that has been mentioned.

Really, stop playing with the old bulbs. Those things are SO cheap, just go to the store (walmart, grocery, auto part place, etc) and buy some new ones.