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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHPopped the pumpkins off + Need a little help
Leading reported evidence
Replace orange side markers
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Replaced the orange side markers with the smoke grey ones today.
Leading evidence: 'Replace orange side markers' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check other light' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I used a thin-bladed knife to lift the tape and the tabs - sorry its a bit fuzzy
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Suggestion
At some point I will check the other light to see how it looks like.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Anybody know how to change the bulbs on the spoiler tail light?
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Suggestion
I'm surprised the base piece is that badly deterioated, mine car is 3 years older than yours and does not have this problem with the light on the convertible clamshell, although it looks like someone has gone in to replace the bulbs at one point since 3 external tabs on one side and one on the other side were cracked.
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Suggestion
I'm surprised the base piece is that badly deterioated, mine car is 3 years older than yours and does not have this problem with the light on the convertible clamshell, although it looks like someone has gone in to replace the bulbs at one point since 3 external tabs on one side and one on the other side were cracked.
Replace those friction plates (a little too much hard cornering
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Suggestion · Original poster
The last differential I pulled apart was a 77 Pontia Firebird - had to change those friction plates (a little too much hard cornering on a car that couldn't handle it).
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17 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T173940Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Replaced the orange side markers with the smoke grey ones today. Nice, cheap upgrade.
Anybody know how to change the bulbs on the spoiler tail light? I have 3-4 of them out - picture attached. There is a little indent on the right side of the lens, but my instincts tell me that will not expose the bulbs.
Directions to a how-to site or tribal knowledge?
You have to replace the whole fixure ( ~$100) Some daring types have taken it apart and de-soldered the old bulbs and re-soldered the new ones.
The little tab pops-out and the there is a slot that you turn with a small knife or screwdriver. Then the whole unit lifts out.
Just realized that this is the spoiler light and not the upper, third brake light. Not sure if they're the same but they might be.
There is also a little plastic cam-lock on the right side, behind the light assembly. If you disassemble it carelessly, it will fall down into the deck lid (at least in the case of a GT3 spoiler), and you will never see it again.
Theoretically...
KeytoHwy. Awesome. I'll probably take you up on that - I just wanted to check with one of the guys who I heard had the same problem - see how he dealt with it.
I want to replace the whole module or else every single bulb since the older ones will probably burn out soon anyways. I'll get in touch on the weekend.
Arni
Arni,
Pony up some doughs for the LED version
http://www.maxspeed-motorsports.com/...rakelight.html
, not affiliated, just one of the several places, they are sold on eBay too.
No I don't have them on my car!
OK, every time I see this thread, I keep thinking you did something catastrophic with your differential (the "pumpkin" in Corvette/Jeep/anything-you-might-bolt-a-Dana44-onto parlance).
Ken. I went looking for something like these! I'll be getting them in April. Thanks.
Want to talk to you on Saturday morning.
Grumble time: how come Pfaff didn't find these lights not working on the PPI??
Arni
Ah. I didn't realize that pumpkin was a synonym for differential! Makes sense tho and it sparked a memory. The last differential I pulled apart was a 77 Pontia Firebird - had to change those friction plates (a little too much hard cornering on a car that couldn't handle it).
Fully agree! That's the way to go. Did get it at Xmas time from that same site (Montr�al). Both the 3rd light and spoiler light are the same and interchangeable. They look clear but light up red. He sells the internal LED light conversion as well for 120$, which I got as well.
the bulbs are standard wedge bulbs - 194 type you can buy at any auto parts place.
The bulbs are individually replaceable.
You pop off the cover, turn the slot, and it comes out.
pop off the red cover, and it will expose the bulbs - there's nothing soldered in there.
The first picture shows the tail light module out of the car. There are two foam tape strips around the base of the assembly. When you pry the base of the housing from the lens, be careful of the six tabs on the sides - they were a little brittle. I used a thin-bladed knife to lift the tape and the tabs - sorry its a bit fuzzy
The second picture shows the module apart. To explain, the bulbs are powered by two wee copper bars that run the length of the housing. Each bulb is held by two little copper clips that clip the light bulbs to the bar on each side. The copper clips are held in place by plastic tabs that are part of the molded plastic base.
The third picture shows why some of my lights weren't working - about 10 of the wee plastic tabs were broken.
The last picture is just me farting around trying to make this work. It was futile. LED's for me.
There - everything you wanted to know about your tail lights. I need to go for a drive.
As to why the tabs dried up and broke off - theories??
Car was often stuck in traffic with brakes applied in its previous life, hence causing localized overheating?
I'm surprised the base piece is that badly deterioated, mine car is 3 years older than yours and does not have this problem with the light on the convertible clamshell, although it looks like someone has gone in to replace the bulbs at one point since 3 external tabs on one side and one on the other side were cracked.
At some point I will check the other light to see how it looks like.
Off to a drive as well!
Heat from the engine breaks the plastic in time. Mine was all cracked but the bulbs were still working, although I still replaced it with with a LED unit.
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