Map light bulb removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
Map light bulb removal
So, you think this would be an easy thing, but the passenger side map light bulb will not come out. I fought with it probably for 20 minutes to no avail. Was able to replace every other bulb with an LED in 20 minutes. Any suggestions? Does the rear view mirror come off?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
So, you think this would be an easy thing, but the passenger side map light bulb will not come out. I fought with it probably for 20 minutes to no avail. Was able to replace every other bulb with an LED in 20 minutes. Any suggestions? Does the rear view mirror come off?
There is a little play in the socket the bulb is in, so you can pull the bulb down slightly to get a better grip.
Last edited by ncvette_1FUNRIDE; Feb 19, 2010 at 03:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
Well, the removal was a total failure. Tried the zip tie approach and I guess from all the yanking, the glass was cracked/brittle. When I gave it a final tug, the bulb shattered into a million pieces. The base of the bulb was still stuck in the socket. Not really sure what to do at this point.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Schaumburg IL
I used a piece of shrink tubing that fit snuggly on the bulb. Took a few tries but it worked. It totally sucked to do. I have yet to do my glove box bulb.
*shameless plug - I have some LED bulbs for the rear license plate area that I am looking to sell if anyone is looking for some *
*shameless plug - I have some LED bulbs for the rear license plate area that I am looking to sell if anyone is looking for some *
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 38
From: A galaxy far, far away...
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
I wouldn't spray anything in there 
get the rest of the bulb out with small needle nose pliers.
Try lassoing dental floss around the base of the other bulb rather than a zip tie
get the rest of the bulb out with small needle nose pliers.Try lassoing dental floss around the base of the other bulb rather than a zip tie
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
Very small pair of channel locks. This lets the plier jaws be parallel to the side of the bulb for a good grip, which needle nose do not do. They come right out with the channel locks.
I will often use a dental pick to dig out broken bulb bases.
I will often use a dental pick to dig out broken bulb bases.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
I used a piece of shrink tubing that fit snuggly on the bulb. Took a few tries but it worked. It totally sucked to do. I have yet to do my glove box bulb.
*shameless plug - I have some LED bulbs for the rear license plate area that I am looking to sell if anyone is looking for some *
*shameless plug - I have some LED bulbs for the rear license plate area that I am looking to sell if anyone is looking for some *
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 20
From: Twisp WA
Can someone give me a tip on how to remove the driver's side foot-well light? I took a look at it after doing the rear cargo area and license plate lights today and didn't see exactly how the light is removed from the cardboard like mount up under the dash.
Also any tips on the marker lights would be great. I reached down inside the left rear cargo area attempting to locate the marker light but only found wiring harnesses. No socket for the marker. Got to be down in there somewhere. Is it necessary to remove the rear cargo side carpet panels to change out the quarter panel marker lights?
Lastly easiest way to remove the plastic lens from the OnStar style mirror map lights? Without breaking them.
George
Also any tips on the marker lights would be great. I reached down inside the left rear cargo area attempting to locate the marker light but only found wiring harnesses. No socket for the marker. Got to be down in there somewhere. Is it necessary to remove the rear cargo side carpet panels to change out the quarter panel marker lights?
Lastly easiest way to remove the plastic lens from the OnStar style mirror map lights? Without breaking them.
George
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 38
From: A galaxy far, far away...
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
Can someone give me a tip on how to remove the driver's side foot-well light? I took a look at it after doing the rear cargo area and license plate lights today and didn't see exactly how the light is removed from the cardboard like mount up under the dash.
Also any tips on the marker lights would be great. I reached down inside the left rear cargo area attempting to locate the marker light but only found wiring harnesses. No socket for the marker. Got to be down in there somewhere. Is it necessary to remove the rear cargo side carpet panels to change out the quarter panel marker lights?
Lastly easiest way to remove the plastic lens from the OnStar style mirror map lights? Without breaking them.
George
Also any tips on the marker lights would be great. I reached down inside the left rear cargo area attempting to locate the marker light but only found wiring harnesses. No socket for the marker. Got to be down in there somewhere. Is it necessary to remove the rear cargo side carpet panels to change out the quarter panel marker lights?
Lastly easiest way to remove the plastic lens from the OnStar style mirror map lights? Without breaking them.
George
The rear side markers are replaced, by removing the outside tail lights. From there, you can see the harness leading to the enclosure. Just twist and pull the light out of the socket.
The front side markers require removing the plastic liner. The bulbs are removed the same as the rear. I would suggest doing these last since the are the most difficult.
For the rear view mirror lights, use a small flat tip screw driver and loosen on the far outside edges. There is a small tab on the most inside edge that holds it in place which you don't want to break. From there, use zip tie/dental floss method for removing the lights. I messed around with them too much which cause the right side to shatter and cause a huge mess.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 20
From: Twisp WA
Thanks Bucknut:
Must be a GA term but a Flip Head Screwdriver, whatzthat?
Lastly if you or someone on the forum could give me the quick and dirty way to remove the taillights to allow access to the rear marker lights I'd appreciate it. My initial guess would be to figure out how to remove the interior cargo rear liner to be able to get at the tail lights.
George
Must be a GA term but a Flip Head Screwdriver, whatzthat?
Lastly if you or someone on the forum could give me the quick and dirty way to remove the taillights to allow access to the rear marker lights I'd appreciate it. My initial guess would be to figure out how to remove the interior cargo rear liner to be able to get at the tail lights.
George
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
Thanks Bucknut:
Must be a GA term but a Flip Head Screwdriver, whatzthat?
Lastly if you or someone on the forum could give me the quick and dirty way to remove the taillights to allow access to the rear marker lights I'd appreciate it. My initial guess would be to figure out how to remove the interior cargo rear liner to be able to get at the tail lights.
George
Must be a GA term but a Flip Head Screwdriver, whatzthat?
Lastly if you or someone on the forum could give me the quick and dirty way to remove the taillights to allow access to the rear marker lights I'd appreciate it. My initial guess would be to figure out how to remove the interior cargo rear liner to be able to get at the tail lights.
George
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I'm glad you straightened that out! I was looking in my Craftsman catalog for a Flip head screwdriver! I thought my tool collection was incomplete!
Elmer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA