I need some help... the illumination lamps (orange night lights) that light up the door handle have two types of bulbs there. I have looked through the manual and cannot find anything on these bulbs or how they are replaced. I can't even figure out how to get the bulb out? Anyone with experience on these things I don't want to damage the bulb or socket removing it.

Here are two pictures from the driver's side courtesy lamp opened. The metal socket is where the white courtesy lamp goes and the 'orange' illumination lamp is disconnected from its socket and shown. Second picture is a zoom on that illumination lamp. How do you get the bulb removed or is it an assembly i.e., remove the two wires keeping the bulb in that dark grey socket? Also, a part number to ask for tomorrow?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

I haven't dealt with this bulb, but is it the type you have to push in, and then turn? I would think most auto parts stores would carry it, looks like a normal bulb in your photo.

 

Looking at the zoomed image, the dark grey socket the two wires (white and black) come into is also the housing that mounts into the door lens assembly. You can see a little s-curve groove right before the bulb and that is what locks it to the assembly by pushing slightly and rotating. Reverse to remove. But the bulb itself I tried to pull it out of that socket and it wouldn't budge and tried slightly twisting on it nothing. There is a lighter grey wire guard, in the zoom picture it is disconnected and pushed back to where the two wires come out of the whole harness. When disconnect the wire guard (not sure of term best I can describe that plastic part) it exposes access to the wires going into the socket. You can see the open groove it leaves and the black wire going in just the edge of the metal connector is visible in that groove.

I should have snapped the picture completely assembled with both bulbs in place for reference.

But I just don't want to man-handle it until I'm sure. Seems like the force I applied would have made that bulb do something.

???

 

ttt

Hmmm, no one has ever had to change one of these illumination bulbs? :eek:

 

Go to the dealer have them pull the part up on the computer so you can see how it comes out.

 

Well, I just checked mine, and thought mine was burnt out also. But, it comes on when I turn on the parking or headlights. Have you tried that to make sure it's actually burnt out? (I couldn't get the bulb out either!)


[Modified by KY Vette, 9:53 AM 4/3/2004]

 

That bulb pulls straight out, no twist. I've replaced mine before. :chevy

 

Ok..... well I did get it out. Of course I had to use needle nose pliers and yes the little bulb exploded into billions of pieces. I was able to get the remaining piece out which shows me the connector end of the bulb, but no identifying marks.

Local chevy parts wasn't much help. They only show the door courtsey light not the illumination light that is part of this lens assembly. Whats weird is no where in the manual either does it cover illumination lights. This is crazy how could they leave out something integrated into the electrical system? They show the wire diagram that shows the illumination lights and its controlling diode. They talk about it in two paragraphs, but it's never illustrated or discussed on removing/replacing. These little guys are in numerous places, how could this be missed?

Also there are two part numbers for bulbs: Door, Courtesy 212-2 and Door, Flood 73. Do you suppose the Door, Flood is it?

 

The 212-2 bulb is a long bulb that has metal ends on both sides and is also used under the hood as hood courtesy lights.
The 73 bulb is a press in bulb. I think this is also used in the sun visor mirror lights.
You can go to any auto parts store and they should have the 73 bulbs there on the rack.
:cheers:

 

Thanks, I was just searching online for that trade number to see if there was a common manufacturer I could start from. I'll look at Autozone and/or NAPA. Chevy parts people haven't a clue on these bulbs, I think because the General wants you to replace the whole lens assembly.

The only issue I see with that is the lens assembly doesn't come with the two separate wire harnesses! These illumination (flood) lights have their own two wire pair coming out of the main harness. I don't think you would get the bulb if you did order a lens assembly. I think this was a screw up in two ways, only partially mentioning it in the maintenance manual and not showing it at all the parts catalog illustrations or parts listing. And no offense but there is little thinking out of the box at the General's houses.

 

Be careful. I have an 89 and the courtesy lamp is a 211-2 and the underhood lamp is a 212-2. I think the 212-2 is a higher wattage and may damage the plastic in the courtesy lamp.

 

Thanks. Yeah I just got done a few minutes ago fixing it. Yep the 212 is the big one that goes into the metal sockets show in the picture above. That guy gets really hot so you have to be careful of the wire harness routing when you rotate the lens back into position.

Well if anyone has to replace these its really a simple job. THe #73 bulb I got from Discount Auto Parts two in a package for like 1.98. Took all of a few minutes to pop open the lens cover and insert the new bulb in the flood lamp socket.

When I was fooling with it earlier I would pop out that 212 bulb and use a wrag to catch it. Just a minute of being on and its is very hot. Too bad the manuals don't mention these with much regards, it could have been a much simplier ordeal.

Thanks guys.

 

Ha! Now ya tell me! You should see the big blister I've still got on my finger from the other night. And, as you said, after having the door open only for about a minute or so.
Be careful with this one guys!
Glad you got your bulb replaced also. :thumbs:

 

I'm sorry hope it doesn't smart too much. It still amazes me that they have such a heat producing bulb in such a tight area. Don't get that harness tucked away just right and the wire insulation will melt instantly when it touches that courstesy lamp.

Thanks for the help too.