map light replacement problems

[Bill336]

The road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions. 

 

1997 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 LT. I've decided to upgrade all the lighting to LED. The map lights are giving me fits. You use a Torx bit in the center of the clear lens, push in and turn, and the map light pops out. It worked that way on the first one. The second one worked for removal, but when I tried to reinstall it, it seems to have gotten stuck and I've stripped it. Anyone got an idea how to get the blasted thing out? I've tried gentle prying, trying to get it to move. No go. Oh yeah, and the switch seems to have crapped out. *sigh*

 

On the remaining 4 lights, the pattern in the plastic isn't Torx. It's an "X" shape. A flat blade screwdriver doesn't work. A Phillips isn't the right shape. Obviously a Torx won't work. Not sure why they're different, but they are. Anyone got any idea what tool to use to get them out?

 

I'd like to strangle the engineer who came up with this lunacy. My 01 GMC Sierra only needs a flat blade screwdriver to change the map lights. That's a good design.