Evening

What should have been a straight forward job has become a little complicated.  Went to replace the o/s number plate bulb this evening only to find the holder pushes in and almost disapeared into the boot lid when I tried to insert a bulb.  Once installed the bulb blew when the lights were turned on to test.  Add to that nearly disintegrating screws and you have a bit of a nightmare.  My questions are -  can you get to the hole for the bulb from behind the lining of the boot lid and how do you get the liner off without a drama?  I'm guessing the wiring might be damaged to cause the blow. 

What are Haines manuals like for these cars.  Do they cover door card removal and stuff like that?

 

Thanks.

Lex

 

My screw heads were rusted out too, I took off the tailgate plastic liner.

Phil

What kind of clips hold it in place?

 

Lex

i think it's 2 star screws inside and the clips are plastic push clips, you can easily insert a normal sidelight bulb this way but trying to fit a led bulb this way wont work, hope you get it hastle free

It was some years ago that I had this problem. I took off the inner trim.

Can't remember where the screws were, but pulled the trim out from the bottom and slid it up the window. I put some rtv on the holder to hold it in place. Changed the bulbs every other year. They get a little hot and burn out.

Edited 29 September, 201312 yr by rellaw

I have the same problem one light was more powerful the other was rubbish so i pulled the plastic out and saw that the bulb was out of place and melted the base and now the bulb will go inside if i push it i cant even put a led light in because of melted plastic

That might explain why one of mine is dimmer than the other.  It was noticed as a "not-quite-advisory" list last year.  Plus I think the plastic lens covers are dirty, but ad above the screws are all rusty.  I wonder if I might be able to clean them by taking the internal boot trim off, pulling the bulb holders old and then using a cotton bud....

Well when i replaced the bulbs i ordered new screws, but i had a pig of a time getting the old screws out so i just forced a torx bit inside the star screw as the head of it was chew by this time, but i managed to get it.

Evening all.

Just purchased a Haynes manual.  Will make repairs a bit easier I hope.

 

Lex

Bulb sorted.  The one that blew must have been damaged.  New one now ok.  It's a knack to get the liner back on.  This has been said before but put something through the hand pull once the other side of the liner to stop the liner falling into the boot when trying to get it back on.   Take off the matal clips that attach near the window and put them back on the tailgate.  Makes relocating much easier.

 

Lex.