1975 backup light issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 396
Likes: 13
From: New Bern NC
1975 backup light issue
before I break something I figured I would ask what is undoubtedlly a stupid question:
How the heck do I replace the back up light's bulb? I pulled the two screws and now I cant get the plastic piece in the back to twist off. I dont want to break her and from what I can tell the plastic light housing is one piece. Any suggestions?
How the heck do I replace the back up light's bulb? I pulled the two screws and now I cant get the plastic piece in the back to twist off. I dont want to break her and from what I can tell the plastic light housing is one piece. Any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Remove the lens by taking out the two screws. The bulb is in the socket with a bayonet mount. Depress it slightly, rotate to the left, and pull it out. The problem may not be the bulb. Corrosion is a problem with these sockets. I have raplaced a couple of mine.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Bubba's way (I know him): Break the bulb and then twist the brass socket out by nipping with needle nose pliers. No sense in taking a chance that the bulb will break in your fingers. Remember Murphy's Law? I know him too!
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 214
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From: Round Rock Texas
My guess is that the bulb socket has either become stuck in the holder or the PO used something to seal it in the socket.
The GM tail lamp plug (male) assembly should line up with matching openings in the tail lamp socket (female) assembly. Once inserted you just twist the plug about one-quarter turn to lock it into the socket. To remove all you do is reverse the process.
Originally the plug came with a gasket that was used between the plug and the tail lamp socket. The gasket kept dust and water out of the lamp. This gasket is probably what is causing you grief in removing the bulb plug assembly.
What ever you do, take your time and don't force anything. Replacing the tail lamp assembly will cost you about $50 each. Try spraying some WD-40 on the plug/socket connection to see if it will soak in and loosen the grip. Let it soak awhile and then twist it back and forth a little at a time until it breaks free. Once you get it out, clean all traces of the WD-40 off the plastic and let it dry before re-inserting the socket with a new gasket.
Go here for a good picture of the lamp plug assembly: http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G You can click on the picture to blow it up to observe the plastic keys on the plug assembly.
Good luck!
Dave
The GM tail lamp plug (male) assembly should line up with matching openings in the tail lamp socket (female) assembly. Once inserted you just twist the plug about one-quarter turn to lock it into the socket. To remove all you do is reverse the process.
Originally the plug came with a gasket that was used between the plug and the tail lamp socket. The gasket kept dust and water out of the lamp. This gasket is probably what is causing you grief in removing the bulb plug assembly.
What ever you do, take your time and don't force anything. Replacing the tail lamp assembly will cost you about $50 each. Try spraying some WD-40 on the plug/socket connection to see if it will soak in and loosen the grip. Let it soak awhile and then twist it back and forth a little at a time until it breaks free. Once you get it out, clean all traces of the WD-40 off the plastic and let it dry before re-inserting the socket with a new gasket.
Go here for a good picture of the lamp plug assembly: http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G You can click on the picture to blow it up to observe the plastic keys on the plug assembly.
Good luck!
Dave
Last edited by DaveH_RRTX; Apr 14, 2012 at 08:02 AM. Reason: added URL for picture
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Sorry. My mistake. I was thinking of one of my other cars. You are quite correct. The socket is removed from the rear of the taillamp assembly to change the bulb. The socket is retained in the housing with a bayonet style mount. You rotate the socket counterclockwise to disengage it from the taillamp housing, and it simply pulls straight out. It only takes about 1/8 turn. I just went out and removed the back up light from my '79 and it was very simple. (Assuming yours is the same.) Once the two screws are out the taillamp assembly drops out of the car, and the socket is a simple twist and turn. There is a foam gasket between the socket and the taillamp housing. I suspect the previous owner has replaced this with silicone or something. You may be looking at a new socket and taillamp. Good luck and sorry for the bad advice.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 396
Likes: 13
From: New Bern NC
I finally got it apart...the plug comes out, counter clockwise if looking down on the backside. I used WD40 and a pair of plyers. Took my time and it finally turned without any damage.
Nope the original gasket is still there. This car has less then 6,200 original miles on it and has been garage stored since day one. It hasnt moved (till now) in 9 years (not sure before that but I moved in next door to the PO 9 years ago).
Nope the original gasket is still there. This car has less then 6,200 original miles on it and has been garage stored since day one. It hasnt moved (till now) in 9 years (not sure before that but I moved in next door to the PO 9 years ago).
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
Congrats! 
If the gasket is in bad shape you can just get some gasket material from any automotive parts store and cut your own (use a whole gasket from another assembly as a guide), or make a circle out of the smallest closed cell foam weatherstrip you can buy from a home improvement store.
Dave
If the gasket is in bad shape you can just get some gasket material from any automotive parts store and cut your own (use a whole gasket from another assembly as a guide), or make a circle out of the smallest closed cell foam weatherstrip you can buy from a home improvement store.
Dave
