How to remove seat belt/brake warning light mechanism

[Rick W]

Looking for help on removing the seat belt/brake warning light mechanism from the dash.

I have removed the clock to get access and removed the wiring harness from the back of the mechanism. But the mechanism does not come out from pushing it from the back. Do I have to remove the red plastic front panel first? If so, I am not sure how it comes off and do not want to break it since they a re no longer available.

Reason for needing to remove it is the seat belt light does not come on and want to check the light bulb to see if it needs replacing. Brake warning lights work fine.

Appreciate any help.

Thanks

[walt]

This vid shows a guy removing it from a MY 72. Likely the same design but have never removed one personally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhTOUHYzSV8

[GH85Carrera]

You might be able to access the wiring from the trunk side, and use an Ohm meter to see if there is any resistance. If there is none, yea the bulb is blown. I have never looked at the wiring from the back, so I don't know it that is possible, it is just a suggestion.

No doubt, 40 year old plastic in a dash is going to be very brittle.

[Rick W]

Thanks for the responses. I have confirmed power in the wiring so must be the bulb. Definitely worried about breaking it. Any other removal tips, experiences, suggestions welcome.

[Alan L]

This is the unit. It has a multi pin connector in the back.
You can see the tabs that hold the unit in place. They push down quite easily. But you probably need to get at them from the rear. I have removed mine - similar job to yours. But can't remeber how I did it. But I think the rear release is the best solution if you can get there - small screw driver or similar.
Good luck.
PS - the same tabs are on the bottom also
Alan

[Alan L]

I have a feeling I just eased it straight out. The tabs are fairly soft - easy to flex.
Alan

[Rick W]

Thanks Alan. I will give that a try.

[Alan L]

If it is just the bulb you are after, the red plastic bit just pings off - fingernail behind it should do.
Alan

[Rick W]

Thanks for your help Alan.

I managed to remove it from the dash and pull out the circuit board.

The bulb is definitely burnt out. Do you happen to know the part number for the bulb?

[EC900]

Might be a #2721 …1.2w.

[Rick W]

Thanks. I have ordered one of those bulbs.

[LuvNH]

If you don’t mind, how does your light work normally? I have a 79 SC and it doesn’t matter if a seatbelt is buckled or not. It lights up for a few seconds and extinguishes in sync w/ the buzzer.

[Rick W]

LuvNH I am not actually sure since the bulb hasn't worked since I have owned the car. I understand that the warning light is supposed to turn off once the seatbelt has been fastened, or after a certain period of time, but will confirm for you once I get the new bulb in. Mine is a 1987 Japanese market model btw so it is possible our cars function differently.

[Rick W]

The 2721 bulb arrived and I have removed the old bulb. I think it should still work once I bend the wiring posts down on the new bulb but it does not have the plastic base like the original bulb and is a bit longer. Welcome any thoughts from anyone who has replaced these bulbs.

[Alan L]

which is the original? Mine look like the one on the rt.
I can post a pic tomorrow.
Alan

[wazzz]

Originally Posted by Rick W

LuvNH I am not actually sure since the bulb hasn't worked since I have owned the car. I understand that the warning light is supposed to turn off once the seatbelt has been fastened, or after a certain period of time, but will confirm for you once I get the new bulb in. Mine is a 1987 Japanese market model btw so it is possible our cars function differently.

Warning light systems for earlier cars and later cars are totally different. 2 lights for earlier cars and 3 lights for later cars. Driving electronics is not the same, at least for the brake warning part. Seat belt warning changed over the years and also according to regions.

[Rick W]

Alan, the bulb on the left is the original.

[Alan L]

Mine is an 83 row SC - the pics came from that car. Yours seem to be slightly different version?
Alan

[Rick W]

Hi Allan.

Do you have a picture of your bulbs? Are they soldered in?

[Alan L]

I can take a pic of the bulb. Not soldered in. Just push/pull. They look a bit like the one on the rt in your pic.
Give me half hr - will post you a pic.
Alan