Nissan 240SX License Plate Bulb Size

The Nissan 240SX license plate light requires 168 or 89 bulb sizes depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Data for the lighting components covers the range from 1989 to 1998.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1995-1998	168
1989-1994	89

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	89

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Nissan 240SX uses two distinct bulb types across its production run for the license plate position: the 168 and the 89, both of which are ANSI-standardized components rated for use in the US and Canada.
The 168 bulb is a T10 miniature wedge type operating at 12V and 4.9W. Its wedge base design means it is retained by friction rather than a locking mechanism, requiring no rotation during installation or removal.
The 89 bulb uses a BA15s single-contact bayonet base and operates at 12V and 13W. The BA15s designation indicates a 15mm base with a single contact pin, requiring a quarter-turn to seat or release from its socket.
The 1995-1998 Nissan 240SX uses the 168 bulb for the license plate position, while the 1989-1994 model years use the 89 bulb. These two bulb types are not interchangeable due to their different base configurations.
The 89 bulb draws 13W, which is notably higher than the 4.9W rating of the 168. This difference reflects a fundamental incompatibility in socket design as well as electrical load between the two generations of the vehicle.
The 89 bulb is described as a lower wattage variant of the 1156. While the 1156 shares the same BA15s bayonet base, substituting it for the 89 would result in a higher wattage draw than the circuit was specified to accommodate.