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Replacing Rear Brake Light Bulb on 82 GSL?

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Old Mar 20, 2019 | 12:56 AM
  #1  
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Replacing Rear Brake Light Bulb on 82 GSL?

Need to replace rear driver side break light bulb on my '82 RX7-GSL.

I have a Haynes manual, and it shows siz screws securing the rear lens, however my lens has no securing screws, only a gasket.

So how do I access the brake light bulb (1157, right?) to replace it? Thru the rear trunk panel? Plastic is fragle on these cars after 37ish years, so want to avoid unecessary damage.

Any step-by step would be most appreciated.
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Old Mar 20, 2019 | 05:19 AM
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Done from inside of car. Open hatch and pull carpeting at rear of hatch up to expose taillights.
If car has rear washer/wiper(can’t recall if option on this year)you can unclip rear washer solvent bag and move out of the way to get easier access to taillight sockets.
As you’re looking at socket,turn ccw to unlock socket and pull straight out to expose bulb. Hold socket with one hand and push bulb down(spring loaded receptacle) and to left to release bulb. Bulb goes in one way,look at pins on bulb as you remove it. Some bulb grease or Vaseline on metal base of replacement bulb goes a long way to reduce corrosion gremlins.

Upgrade 1157 bulb to 2357 bulb for brighter brake lights. It is dimensionally the same.

Last edited by GSLSEforme; Mar 20, 2019 at 05:22 AM.
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Old Mar 20, 2019 | 07:39 AM
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Thanks, GSLSEforme.

Sounds simple enough, and yes, it does have a rear wiper, so I'll need to move that reservoir aside.

I am a religious user of dielectric grease anytime I open any electrical connector, so this will definitely get some.

Since you brought up wipers, I was wondering where I can get cartridge reloads. My arms on front and rear are "old school" in that they only take a new blade and not a blade+frame.

Do I just buy some new style wiper cartridges and throw away the frames? The ones on my RX7 came with the current blades 20 months ago, and they are the type with spring metal stiffeners running the length of the blade, with little locking-in "arrows" at the ends of the spring metal to latch/secure it to the arm.

I bought this RX7 GSL-SE (grey with maroon leather interior) 20 months ago on BAT for almost nothing given the condition it is in: perfect everything except for a cracked dash, looks how it must have in 1984 after a couple years of use (except for dash of course). It was an RV tow-behind (still has the very tastefully integrated tow bar receivers in place of the tow hooks), the odometer shows 60K, I am guessing it has less than half that on the drivetrain, over the 3,000 miles I have driven it, the engine has consumed less than a third of a quart (I am assuming that points to really good apex seals).
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Old Mar 20, 2019 | 10:27 AM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by austinrx7bill
Since you brought up wipers, I was wondering where I can get cartridge reloads. My arms on front and rear are "old school" in that they only take a new blade and not a blade+frame.

Do I just buy some new style wiper cartridges and throw away the frames? The ones on my RX7 came with the current blades 20 months ago, and they are the type with spring metal stiffeners running the length of the blade, with little locking-in "arrows" at the ends of the spring metal to latch/secure it to the arm..
if you have the original wipers, which will be stamped NWB, you can buy new NWB blades, and just swap the rubber over. 27-018 is the part number, its an 18" blade (450mm)


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Old Mar 20, 2019 | 01:18 PM
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You mention an 82 GSL in your original post and refer to an SE in your last post. We are talking about two different cars,i assume?
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Old Mar 20, 2019 | 01:23 PM
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Oh,and your Haynes manual has some info correct but a lot of inconsistencies so don't treat all info as gospel til verified elsewhere.
I'm a member of old Dodge truck forum and every time someone new there references info gleaned from a Haynes manual they are advised to use it to shore up a short table leg or to...burn it.
Google foxed.ca rx7 manuals for factory service manual information.
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Old Mar 21, 2019 | 10:28 AM
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Or go LED for all the lights and lower the load on the whole system. I think LED headlights are even a thing now and they appear to work well.
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