Outer Tail Light Bulb !!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,290
Likes: 239
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Outer Tail Light Bulb !!
Who the hell can get an arm in the opening behind the plate !! 
I gave that effort about 10 seconds, then I started looking underneath. I could see the holder from below, so I removed 2 of the screws holding skirt to inner fender, and stuck my arm up there. Not knowing that there was a tab to push on the holder, before you could turn it 90*, resulted in a few choice words. :o
Once I pushed the tab, it was easy, dooh !!
Removing and replacing the bulb with one hand, went well and I'm happy to report that NO bandaids were required.
I gave that effort about 10 seconds, then I started looking underneath. I could see the holder from below, so I removed 2 of the screws holding skirt to inner fender, and stuck my arm up there. Not knowing that there was a tab to push on the holder, before you could turn it 90*, resulted in a few choice words. :o
Once I pushed the tab, it was easy, dooh !!
Removing and replacing the bulb with one hand, went well and I'm happy to report that NO bandaids were required.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I don't have skinny arms, I have to take the inner lens out and reach in through the opening to change the outer bulb. No way can I get it from the bottom.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,290
Likes: 239
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I will definitely try your way next time. floridamale said it all, I always look like I've been trying to manicure a wildcat when I get done.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2009
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These tail bulbs are certainly poorly designed and a topic of discusion. Them and the sidelights. Take it to Dealer. They only charged me $ 175.00 to replace some bulbs. I'll be changing turn signal bulb in Tahoe today--2 friggin screws.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I had to change a bulb in the 3rd brake light yesterday. Not as bad as a tail light, but a huge unnecessary PITA. A simple connector to allow total remover of the assembly would have helped in a big way. And the way the bulbs mount in the socket, I have no confidence that one won't come loose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
This is why I switched to LEDs. I had a burned out bulb and only wanted to do the swap once!
The top is a 9" LED strip from harbor freight.
I too have fat arms and they were all cut up by the end of the project. Never doing that again.
The top is a 9" LED strip from harbor freight.
I too have fat arms and they were all cut up by the end of the project. Never doing that again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
For the 3rd light, you engineered your own solution using an LED strip?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
This is the one some claim can be changed by going through the license plate frame which is a nice thought to say the least. I found the only way without taking the whole rear of the car apart is how you did it. You can pull the side of the quater panel out since fiberglass is flexable if your arms are to big to get started. If your a body builder your in trouble either way. Another great feat on these cars is trying to get the first bolt loose on the PS exhaust header. You aint getting in their with a socket. Some times you have to invent tools (cut up wrenches etc) to get at parts the engineers never thought would need fixing on these cars.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,835
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
This thread reminds me of one a couple months ago. Guy recomends removing the bumper to change bulbs.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...il-lights.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...il-lights.html
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,290
Likes: 239
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,835
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana