Replacing Rear Brake Light Bulb on 82 GSL?
03-20-19, 12:56 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
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.
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.
03-20-19, 05:19 AM
#2
ancient wizard...
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.
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; 03-20-19 at 05:22 AM.
03-20-19, 07:39 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
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).
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).
03-20-19, 10:27 AM
#4
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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..
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..
03-20-19, 01:23 PM
#6
ancient wizard...
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.
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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