Those tiny red courtesy lights (its always something!)

[Pastor Larry Roques]

Since I got the car about a year ago, I've noticed that only one of the tiny red lights in the door panel that gives indirect lighting to the window and lock controls at night has been working, that being the passenger side. The driver side has always been out. Last night I was coming back from a meeting at my office and noticed that the passenger side is now deceased.
How hard is it to get into the panel and change he bulb, and what kind of bulb is it....any ideas.
Blessings

[Devilboy28]

Can't replace them without buying some parts from Radio Shack. Waaaaay more trouble than it's worth. I can't remember what the dealer told me, but I believe they wanted $100 for a pair of new ones.

[Distephano]

Originally posted by Devilboy28:
Can't replace them without buying some parts from Radio Shack. Waaaaay more trouble than it's worth. I can't remember what the dealer told me, but I believe they wanted $100 for a pair of new ones.

You must be kidding me.

Unless the Firbird and the Camaro are WAY different... The light we are talking about, is like a little pin point of light that shines on the door lock and window buttons right?

If its similar to the Camaro, its a 15-20 minute job, and a $3 bulb if that. Its a small round topped bulb that goes into a socket the kind of twists and snaps into its own socket. Its not a big deal at all.

Can anyone back me up here? Or tell me I'm crazy? one of the two....

[casketcrewchick]

Is there a way to brighten it, or has anyone just added their own LEDs or something in there? its so dull.

[777nmp]

WHAT?


Unscrew the phillips screw next to door handle, to get it out of the way, pop out cluster tray (just has a retaing metal peice) with control, turn the holder with light 1/4 turn, and replace little bitty light bulb, I forget what it is, like a 147 or something- 5 minutes each door, and you'll have that red glow again :cool:

[chas]

i just replaced one in my '99 firebird. it was a standard '74' bulb available at your local auto store (autozone in my case).

you need to remove the control panel (it pulls out at the bottom first and then the top) since it has tabs that hold the plastic bezel in place at the bottom. then remove the screw holding in the plastic bezel behind the door handle. if you just tilt out the top of the bezel you should be able to twist and remove the lamp housing base on the back side (rather like an ordinary bulb housing). pulling the bulb out of the socket is difficult since its in there pretty tight.

if this is unclear, you could look around for the power window motor replacement guide and just follow the first couple steps until you can get access to back side of the bezel.

[Pastor Larry Roques]

DONE!!!!
Went to Autozone and got the little "74" bulb Chas mentioned and a phillips screwdriver and 10 minutes later (I'm kinda slow) I'm back in the red. (story of my life). Seriously, both of the little red courtesy lamps are back up and flyin'.
Total cost...2.49 cents for both bulbs. Can't wait till it gets dark to check them out!
On a sidenote, Devilboy28 is right. I've had a dealership charge me 100 dollars to give me 1000 dollars worth of bad news. I could easliy see how after checking you in and giving you that whoppin' cup of courtesy coffee along with all the other fingers in the Detroit till, 100 bucks would be right in line.

[02PewterBird]

A friend and I put the bulbs in his 93 Camaro a couple of months ago, and there weren't any bulbs there. The wires they go into were taped up behind it, but the bulbs still went right right in.

Does anyone know if some didn't come with the bulbs and just had the wiring there to put them in?

[Dan Vincent]

My passenger side door bulb is burned, but my driver's side is working. However, I think it's kinda dim. How bright are these supposed to be, anyway? I know my Dad's cutlass had white lamps, and they were kind of weak too...

[Distephano]

Ok good. So I'm not crazy :D

[pontiac nino]

Originally posted by casketcrewchick:
Is there a way to brighten it, or has anyone just added their own LEDs or something in there? its so dull.

I ghettoed mine and replaced them with those super bright blue led's but i think i might remove them or severly tint them down cuz they cause a big distraction on the road even w/ tint on my windows, hell i've even been pulled over once about that.

[Pastor Larry Roques]

Quote:
My passenger side door bulb is burned, but my driver's side is working. However, I think it's kinda dim. How bright are these supposed to be, anyway? I know my Dad's cutlass had white lamps, and they were kind of weak too

They are not real bright. They make the 74 which I just changed out, and then there's a 194 which is the brighter upgrade of the same bulb. I asked the guy at Autozone if he thought I could step it up to the brighter 194 and he said that in those close quarters, it could possibly melt the little plastic housing. I mostly am driven nuts by non-functioning accesories. Must be some kind of childhood issue.

[chas]

brighter bulb = more heat = melted plastic bits. its already pretty warm. if you think its dim try replacing the bulb. perhaps its on its last legs.