Technical Changing rear brakes lights?

[DickBarton]

One of my rear brakelights needs replacing but I can't for the life of me work out how to remove the light cluster to get in to replace the bulb. According to the manual, I undo the 2 bolts and the light cluster should slide out - mine doesn't...it moves around but no matter which way I try to slide it to make it move it won't...how do you remove the cluster?

The shape of the cluster doesn't make it easy to get a good grip but surely there must be a way to do the job?

Thanks.

 

[Omad]

Hiya!

Well the manual is partly right.. you do need to undo those two 10mm headed bolts but when i removed my lights i had to use a plastic prybar to prize the light off as there are two popper type clips further securing the light in.

Hope this helps

 

[ausritmo]

my rear left brake light went out 2 weeks ago too.

Once you remove the 2 bolts you need to put a flat head screw driver between the light and the body and push it out towards the back of the car it will force the 2 rubber lugs to come out o its place.

I think this is one of tthe worst designs i ever seen. It should be this difficult to replace bulbs IMO!

 

[DickBarton]

Thanks for the info guys, I think I have a couple of plastic tyre levers that should reduce the risk of paint damage from my hamfisted attempts to remove the cluster.

 

[Charnwood Fox]

Why do Fiat make changing bulbs seem like an episode of Krypton Factor?

 

[DickBarton]

Done...2 minute job after I knew I had to give it some welly with my tyre lever...popped off easily enough and now back to fully working brake lights, thanks for the help guys.

 

[Durks]

yes you are correct. I was not aware of the 2 plastic bits that hold the light on and after using brute force and ignorance I snapped the bits of plastic off. Fortunately the light still stays in and works OK without the plastic bits.