Overhead Map Lights- Removing/Replacing The Bulb Covers
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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Overhead Map Lights- Removing/Replacing The Bulb Covers
There must be a secret to this, but even the Ford manual is silent.
On the overhead map lights with the gimbel swivel, there is a four pronged plastic insert that covers the bulb. Try as I might, I cannot seem to keep from snapping one of the little plastic legs during removal or installation. I'm down to my last spare. Any advice?
On the overhead map lights with the gimbel swivel, there is a four pronged plastic insert that covers the bulb. Try as I might, I cannot seem to keep from snapping one of the little plastic legs during removal or installation. I'm down to my last spare. Any advice?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Portland, Oregon
try gently twising it in a circle, so the clips pop out of the hole, but not so much that they brake. i've had luck doing that. but then again, some have just randomly broken on me while driving? lolz
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Passengers mistake the cover for the on/off switch and poke on them until something gives. I picked up two units from the boneyard the other day. Its amazing how hot these lights get, every one shows signs of plastic melt either on the lens cover or around the center lamp. I think over time the plastic gets brittle and this is why they keep breaking.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,015
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From: SoCal
No easy solution there. The heat from "normal" operation will first mwlt them, then they get brittle as they cool, making it almost impossible to remove them without breaking them. The only way to keep your new replacements from breaking like that is to use them as little as possible.
Those lights would be good candidates for conversion to LEDs.
Those lights would be good candidates for conversion to LEDs.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 192
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From: Illinois, usa
Interesting subject--I thought my luck was bad with those, but agree with above--
it is the heat damaging the plastic. Maybe gently heating the black gizmos with hair dryer/ heat gun before removal?
Soften the plastic a little...
it is the heat damaging the plastic. Maybe gently heating the black gizmos with hair dryer/ heat gun before removal?
Soften the plastic a little...
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