Search is down again! - Rear Light Cluster Removal
Discussion
Sorry to ask but the search is down again and even The Bible doesn't have all the info I need.
I have just bought some black Lexus style lights for my 96 Chim. I know, I know they aren't to everyone's taste but the black ones actually don't look that bad (IMHO)
I have read previously that it isn't necessary to remove the external light lens as the early Chimaera lights could be removed through the interior of the boot.
Now the new lights have arrived I have some doubts.
Is it really possible to remove the actual cluster from inside without removing the external cover/lens?
If so does anyone happen to have a blow-by-blow how-to guide?
Pictures would be a bonus too LOL
I have just bought some black Lexus style lights for my 96 Chim. I know, I know they aren't to everyone's taste but the black ones actually don't look that bad (IMHO)
I have read previously that it isn't necessary to remove the external light lens as the early Chimaera lights could be removed through the interior of the boot.
Now the new lights have arrived I have some doubts.
Is it really possible to remove the actual cluster from inside without removing the external cover/lens?
If so does anyone happen to have a blow-by-blow how-to guide?
Pictures would be a bonus too LOL
Jules,
Removing the rear clusters is easily done from inside the boot without disturbing the outer perspex cover.
Strip the carpet out of the way and you should find three self-tappers going through the fibreglass "flange" surrounding the cluster. That's all that holds them in (at least it's done like that on my '96 Chim)
Wish there was some way of getting the later (4-light) arrangement without resorting to major bodywork mods - they look so much better IMO.
Good luck
Removing the rear clusters is easily done from inside the boot without disturbing the outer perspex cover.
Strip the carpet out of the way and you should find three self-tappers going through the fibreglass "flange" surrounding the cluster. That's all that holds them in (at least it's done like that on my '96 Chim)
Wish there was some way of getting the later (4-light) arrangement without resorting to major bodywork mods - they look so much better IMO.
Good luck
Ahhhh I think that explains why I read on one site that I would need to drill holes in the new cluster I have just bought.
Looks as thought it's going to be a bit more than the 15 minute job I'd hoped for.. Never mind eh..
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
I agree about the later lights, they are a lot nicer looking. The ones I just bought look "OK", better than the Fiesta unit at least (IMHO).
Looks as thought it's going to be a bit more than the 15 minute job I'd hoped for.. Never mind eh..
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
I agree about the later lights, they are a lot nicer looking. The ones I just bought look "OK", better than the Fiesta unit at least (IMHO).
Well colour me embarrassed.
When I read "remove the carpet" I thought, "Oh Dear, with the weather we're having I don't fancy re-glueing the carpet when I finish"
What I should have done is go to the car, open the boot, see the blindingly obvious pre-formed carpet cover on the rear light, undo the velcro holding it on and note the blindingly obvious flat bladed self tapper.
On reflection it looks like a really simple job, although it does look as thought the light cluster does need some minor "modification" with a dremmel to fit, but no big deal I am sure.
Looks like I have a small job to do on the weekend then :-)
I may need to do some small re-wiring but possibly only a couple of the connections.
When I read "remove the carpet" I thought, "Oh Dear, with the weather we're having I don't fancy re-glueing the carpet when I finish"
What I should have done is go to the car, open the boot, see the blindingly obvious pre-formed carpet cover on the rear light, undo the velcro holding it on and note the blindingly obvious flat bladed self tapper.
On reflection it looks like a really simple job, although it does look as thought the light cluster does need some minor "modification" with a dremmel to fit, but no big deal I am sure.
Looks like I have a small job to do on the weekend then :-)
I may need to do some small re-wiring but possibly only a couple of the connections.
Julesprivate said:
Sorry to ask but the search is down again and even The Bible doesn't have all the info I need.
Go to http://www.google.co.ukType in your search query, followed by site
istoneads.comWell that wasn't quite as simple as I had hoped...
On the left hand cluster i could only find one self tapper, so I undid that. The lights were still firmly in place so i inserted a blade down the side and cut through the sikaflex, the lights were then "loose" so I pulled quite hard and "bang!" the unit came out in 3 pieces.
At that point I found the other 2 self tappers that had been fibreglassed over.
Oh well, i guess I was committed at that point so I carried on.
The rear lights are indeed Fiesta Mk III but I thught they were "upside down" (turns out they are not) so i installed the new unit, used some sikaflex to form a good seal and plugged them in.
The 3 screws on the other unit were all clearly visible so that went smoother.
I now have a lovely set of black Lexus style lights hidden behind the tinted panel, i have to say they are quite a bit brighter than the old ones.
As a bonus, because of the shape of the new unit the whole boot gets lit up when the lights are on which is handy for loading/unloading.
I tried LED bulbs for the indicators but the flash rate is wrong so I need to buy some resistors to put in the circuit, I've reverted to amber bulbs for now.
Have to say i am very happy with the results though...
On the left hand cluster i could only find one self tapper, so I undid that. The lights were still firmly in place so i inserted a blade down the side and cut through the sikaflex, the lights were then "loose" so I pulled quite hard and "bang!" the unit came out in 3 pieces.
At that point I found the other 2 self tappers that had been fibreglassed over.
Oh well, i guess I was committed at that point so I carried on.
The rear lights are indeed Fiesta Mk III but I thught they were "upside down" (turns out they are not) so i installed the new unit, used some sikaflex to form a good seal and plugged them in.
The 3 screws on the other unit were all clearly visible so that went smoother.
I now have a lovely set of black Lexus style lights hidden behind the tinted panel, i have to say they are quite a bit brighter than the old ones.
As a bonus, because of the shape of the new unit the whole boot gets lit up when the lights are on which is handy for loading/unloading.
I tried LED bulbs for the indicators but the flash rate is wrong so I need to buy some resistors to put in the circuit, I've reverted to amber bulbs for now.
Have to say i am very happy with the results though...
Edited by Julesprivate on Monday 4th February 10:52
Edited by Julesprivate on Monday 4th February 10:53
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