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I got the bright idea to replace my sun visor lights with leds. First bulb I tried broke and I spent the last hour trying to pull it out to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions on A. How to remove the remaining broken bulb and B. How to get the other 3 out safely. I have combed the forum and read everything from tape (couldn't get it around the bulb), needle nose pliers (how I broke said bulb), and string (couldn't get it tight enough).
I've yet to change a bulb, but on the 2 other broken sunvisor vanity mirrors that I've had, they are very hard to remove without breaking the bulb. It's doable, and I don't believe there is a secret. I did manage to remove them without breaking them, but it was more luck than good management. I used a small set of pliers and taped the ends with masking tape to stop the pliers from digging in with direct steel contact on the bulb.
They are a PIA
One of my winter projects is to remove the existing sunvisor vanity assembly (3rd broken vanity cover) on passenger side, and replace it with a 2008 Pontiac G8 lighted vanity assembly. I think it's duable, and the cover for the vanity mirror is much more durable than the present C6 vanity mirror cover.
Here is a pic of the G8 sunvisor vanity mirror. It is just slightly bigger in both width and height than the C6 assembly.
The lights are easily replaced in the G8 model as well. They are a fuse bulb (which can be incandescent or LED)
That's a good idea about the needle nose pliers with tape. I'll give that a shot. I also like the g8 sun visor idea as well. Those bulbs are really a pain! Still need to figure out how to get the broken bulb out.
Did you try dental floss in a loop? Worked for me on some difficult bulbs
NSF PS if you can get 2 nooses around the bulb it evens out the pulling power, I haven't tried it on the Vette but worked on others
Last edited by Not So Fast; Dec 2, 2015 at 09:11 PM.
Did you try dental floss in a loop? Worked for me on some difficult bulbs
NSF PS if you can get 2 nooses around the bulb it evens out the pulling power, I haven't tried it on the Vette but worked on others
Yes, one of the first things I tried. However, I didn't try a double loop so that will be my next effort. Also, I am going to buy a pair of small jewelry pliers tomorrow, maybe that will help!
Yes, one of the first things I tried. However, I didn't try a double loop so that will be my next effort. Also, I am going to buy a pair of small jewelry pliers tomorrow, maybe that will help!
How is it held in? Screwed in, one that you have to push down and rotate a quarter turn, or just push in like a Christmas tree light? I'm guessing the option in the middle. Would it be easier to access if you took the visor off?
How is it held in? Screwed in, one that you have to push down and rotate a quarter turn, or just push in like a Christmas tree light? I'm guessing the option in the middle. Would it be easier to access if you took the visor off?
I've read on the forum that it just pulls right out. However, those bulbs are in there tightly. After a while, my wife gave it a try with her small fingers and still couldn't pull the bulb out. I thought about taking the visor off but the only good that would do is get me out of the cold. The issue lies in the fact that it's a small space that your working in. Keep the ideas coming though! Please!!
If it is just a pull out bulb I would try a small pair of pliers with the jaws wrapped in double sided tape. That's what I used on my mirror bulbs.
That seems to be the consensus of how to remove these bulbs. I plan on buying a small pair of jewelry pliers on the way home tonight. Any idea how to remove a broken bulb in there?
I too tried the pliers method. The problem is as 8APORSH can attest to, that you can't help but apply pressure and the bulb shatters. This resulted in me breaking my mirror cover in a further attempt to remove the remnants of the bulb.
I ended up gluing the mirror cover shut to the visor.
That's how I deal with things, lol.
I too tried the pliers method. The problem is as 8APORSH can attest to, that you can't help but apply pressure and the bulb shatters. This resulted in me breaking my mirror cover in a further attempt to remove the remnants of the bulb.
I ended up gluing the mirror cover shut to the visor.
That's how I deal with things, lol.
I am getting close to pulling apart the visor
I am assuming that gm never intended for these bulbs to be replaced.
That seems to be the consensus of how to remove these bulbs. I plan on buying a small pair of jewelry pliers on the way home tonight. Any idea how to remove a broken bulb in there?
Unfortunately, no.
BTW, when I said double sided I meant double stick tape. That way you don't have to grip quite as hard.
Well, after getting my wife involved, she found a YouTube video of someone dealing with the same issue. He shows you step by step how to remove the mirror and then the bulbs without breaking anything. I've attached a link to the video below. Thank you all for the help, as always, this forum is amazing!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwJPM2iHNW4
The finished product. Super bright in person and looks good with all of the other LEDs.
Well, after getting my wife involved, she found a YouTube video of someone dealing with the same issue. He shows you step by step how to remove the mirror and then the bulbs without breaking anything. I've attached a link to the video below. Thank you all for the help, as always, this forum is amazing!!
Treat your wife to dinner out! I watched the video and it certainly seems like a great procedure to use. I cant validate that the visors are identical, but we know the General uses a common parts bin across vehicles. I never use the vanity mirror so my incandescent bulbs will remain there. All other interior bulbs on mine are LEDs including the mirror.
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$*#@ Vanity Mirror Bulbs
