Taillight issue
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Taillight issue
One of my taillight on my 85 vette went out and I needed to replace the bulb but it's seem nearly impossible to do it. There is no screw on the lid of the taillight to reach to the bulb unless I am mistaken so can anyone tell me how to plus giving me the website that is very well know for performance parts to beef up my vette as well. Many thanks 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,839
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Take off the license plate. Remove the back up light. Reach in with a 10 mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet and feel for the two bolts holding the light assembly in place. Change the bulb and reinstall. Then go wash the blood off your hand and disinfect the cuts and scrapes on your hand and wrist.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Take off the license plate. Remove the back up light. Reach in with a 10 mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet and feel for the two bolts holding the light assembly in place. Change the bulb and reinstall. Then go wash the blood off your hand and disinfect the cuts and scrapes on your hand and wrist.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,839
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 278
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
You will swear a lot i am sure 
I had a blown far left brake light on my 85 with 90-96 lights, i thought great i can just unscrew the lens and replace it...... well i removed the lens and as i touched the globe the light holder fell down behind the bumper
i managed to get my arm up beside the muffler... which was hot by the way 
and reach the light holder, replaced the globe and managed to fit it back in and locked it in place.
The lesson learned, wait for muffler to cool and pay a kid with long skinny arms to do it
and oh by the way use long sleeves
I just have to wait for the scratches to heal
So there you go it can be done from under the vette
I had a blown far left brake light on my 85 with 90-96 lights, i thought great i can just unscrew the lens and replace it...... well i removed the lens and as i touched the globe the light holder fell down behind the bumper
i managed to get my arm up beside the muffler... which was hot by the way and reach the light holder, replaced the globe and managed to fit it back in and locked it in place. The lesson learned, wait for muffler to cool and pay a kid with long skinny arms to do it
and oh by the way use long sleeves I just have to wait for the scratches to heal
So there you go it can be done from under the vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 223
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or...
I went in from below. The rubber bumper cover bends a little. Muffler needs to be cool. Wear a long sleeve shirt. It seems these 1157 bulbs burn out more frequently on my Corvette than anything else I own, maybe because it rides rougher. Changing these bulbs really sucks. One of those palm ratchets would have made it easier.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,839
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From: Database Error Indiana
Truth. Not as bad as it seems. Ive been driving C4s since '96 so Ive done a few. I do have skinny arms and can do one in 10 minutes. Very little bleeding.
I just remembered, someone on here was seriously suggesting, removing the complete bumper at one time.
I just remembered, someone on here was seriously suggesting, removing the complete bumper at one time.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Amazing to me is that I have not replaced any exterior lamps except the headlights in the 26 years I've had this car and they're all still working fine.
Oops, forgot high mount brake light bulbs. Went through a bunch of those and now I have LEDs up there.
Oops, forgot high mount brake light bulbs. Went through a bunch of those and now I have LEDs up there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
On my 1986 I simply reached up when the mufflers were cool and could touch the fixture. On my car it is the type that you pinch, turn, then pull out. I was able to change the bulb then do the reverse to reinstall. Once installed, warm up the mufflers