Rear Storage compartment Light
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 153
Likes: 36
From: West Virginia
Rear Storage compartment Light
What’s the procedure of changing the bulb in the 1969 center storage area? I removed the lens to check the bulb but can’t really get a good grip on the bulb. I pried the switch out that also houses the bulb and the bulb prevents pulling it out of the opening. I have a service manual and owners manual but couldn’t find anything. I’m not sure if it’s in the AIM manual but I haven’t procured one yet. What am I missing or is there a trick?
Last edited by Jeff2761; Feb 10, 2025 at 07:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,690
Likes: 2,572
What’s the procedure of changing the bulb in the 1969 center storage area? I removed the lens to check the bulb but can’t really get a good grip on the bulb. I pried the switch out that also houses the bulb and the bulb prevents pulling it out of the opening. I have a service manual and owners manual but couldn’t find anything. I’m not sure if it’s in the AIM manual but I haven’t procured one yet. What am I missing or is there a trick?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 153
Likes: 36
From: West Virginia
I did. Still no access unless I’d remove the section that the light lens is attached to and envelopes the bulb. It’s held on with staples and unless there’s another way, I may have to go that route.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 720
From: Marietta GA
On my 73 I pulled the bulb and its holder with wire out ( up… through the metal bracket ). Then simply twist the bulb to remove. BEWARE, the cheap/old push switch has tendency to REMAIN on when the door is closed. Check to ensure that new bulb is off by looking inside the car when it’s parked in a dark garage or at night, on my car I make sure the access door latch CLICKS. I changed all my bulbs to LEDs so there is no chance the incandescent bulb wouldn’t melt the plastic lens.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 153
Likes: 36
From: West Virginia
I did try and pull it from the top but it won’t get past the bulb. Someone must have put a larger bulb in mine because there’s no way to pull it out of the hole. I may have to break the bulb and find a smaller diameter bulb.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 918
Likes: 198
From: TX
I believe that bulb holder is the same configuration as the one in the lockable center compartment. Maybe study that one for how to proceed. It's a bitch to get out without damaging the compartment wall. I put on latex gloves to help get a better grip on the bulb.
VS
VS
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 29
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From: Southwestern US
1974 but I think we have the same config? I just did this yesterday so it's fresh in my mind: the problem I noticed is if you pop out one side before the other it will only pop out partially and then wedge the other end into the housing further, so I had to gently pry from the center of the bulb with a wide, flat, soft plastic pry tool. So I used a plastic interior trim panel blade to get behind it and popped it out very carefully. If it's the original bulb, I noticed mine had a little extra glass sticking out the ends beyond the metal rings which may have contributed to this issue.
Threw an LED in and I'm never looking back.
Threw an LED in and I'm never looking back.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 153
Likes: 36
From: West Virginia
OK. I stepped back and took a breath. I first removed the insert in the passenger side compartment which gave me access to the light wiring and connectors. I disconnected the light switch and found that while tight, I was able to pull the assembly out by tilting the bulb to the side and easing it out. You can then remove each connector out individually through the hole. Found the 50 year old bulb separated and had the familiar ‘green goo’ in the base. I sprayed electrical contact cleaner on everything, installed a new (1895) bulb and reinstalled the assembly. I now have a functioning storage compartment light! Another small victory in this repair odyssey..
Last edited by Jeff2761; Feb 12, 2025 at 03:18 PM.