How to remove tail light assemblies?

Thrasher · Thrasher's Garage

I've spent literally hours in the archives and have found plenty about wiring and gasket seal replacement, but nothing concrete on the preferred method of removing the tail light housing assemblies on my Carrera.

I have the lens off and also got the two inner mounting screws removed, so the housing is free of the body, except the wiring is the problem holding me back.

Per Bentley, I disconnected the thru-body male/female connector inside the engine compartment, but the ground wire and license plate light wiring is still attached.

I see the ground wire going to the bumper shock mounting bolt, but it looks fairly rusted. I have it soaking in PB blaster, just in case. I also removed my license plate light and *could* tie a string to that and pull it thru the valance *if* I can get that ground wire free at the bumper shock.

The other strategy I read about was to do what I have, but open up the tail light housing / assembly and disconnect the wiring there, leaving the other connectors in-situ. That'd be great if my housing screws weren't also corrosion-welded in place (also soaking in PB Blaster now).

Any suggestions or ideas?

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I don't have an '84 but will bet it is stuck by years of debris - can you move it around?

Or do you mean the wiring prevents you from walking away from the car with the housing in your hand?

Thrasher · Thrasher's Garage

Oh, it's full of debris (or was), but the second statement is accurate. It's all but free of the car, except for the wiring. I know the "extra" wire that is just on there loose is for the Euro rear foglamp.

There is a ground wire going to the bumper shock mount and a shrouded pair that leads under the rear valence and over into the big rubber block for the license plate light.

This is the Left (driver) side tail light. I will be doing the other side, too. I'd assume it works similarly.

Inniswhe · 03-21-2009, 04:22 AM

Thrasher , Wondering what you did to dissassemble the wiring. I am doing the same dissassembly you did and I am in exactly the same spot where you left this thread ?

Thanks for any insights

Rob G · 03-21-2009, 05:00 AM

Hey Guys, I just finished the driver side rear taillight. What i did was too take the light apart and disconnect the wires from inside that light rather than disconnect the wires from the car. The 2 screws on the back of the housing can be a pain in the *** to get off. After getting the light loose from the car, use something flat and clean out the slot's of the 2 screws on the back of the housing and get the area as clean as possible. Spray with WD40 and let it sit overnight Then what i found that works best is to use the short stubby screw drive that most of us have but never use and they should come out. A regular screw driver is to long in that area and you wont have that much leverage. AND PROTECT YOUR BUMPER!

While the light is out of the car,clean the area really well. Get all that old dried dirt out of there. I found alot under the seal on the bumper under the light when i took mine out. And remember to treat your seal before putting it back in the car. I used 303. I hope this helps. You will get it.

ROB G

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 03-21-2009, 06:13 AM

Cut the wire(s), for heaven's sake. There's nothing easier than reconnecting severed wiring with new. You can even simply use crimp connectors if you don't want to solder.

Rob G · 03-21-2009, 07:23 PM

WHAT? DONT CUT THE WIRES.

Take your time and work with it.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 03-22-2009, 07:01 AM

Go for it, if you enjoy fiddling. But if I were removing a taillight unit with 20-year-old corroded, stiff, insulation-cracked wiring that had lived in a high-stress environment for two decades, I'd be changing the wiring out anyway. Cut in now or cut it later. Unless, of course, you're planning to submit your priceless '89 Carrera to Pebble Beach judging and need to be able to prove that all the wiring is original...

Rob G · 03-22-2009, 01:26 PM

LOL, Looks like someone is sensitive. Thrasher, I hope you get it either way.

Rob.

Thrasher · Thrasher's Garage

I gave up on that and figured I could always get in there as easily later as I could at the time (which was not easy).

I still have an issue with my left stop light bulb connection, but I think that's in the socket itself, as I've read plenty of accounts of this.

I'm sure I've got a 1/2 lb of new road debris on top of those by now, so I'll reach up there from behind and see if I can clean it off.

Inniswhe · 03-22-2009, 05:26 PM

I took out the wiring as well since I am dissassembling the bumper for a repaint. Alot of dirt gets caught up in there. Had to drill out one mounting screw.