Interior lights

[firebird99]

How hard is it to repair the interior light that goes on the door(the red one) so that you can see your window and lock switches. Only my passenger side door light works and I kind of wanted to even it out. Oh also one of the lights on my equalizer turns on and off depending on where it is set. I have a monsoon stereo. I asked the dealer but they said that I could not do this on my own because these lights are fiber optic so they would have to send for the part and stereo. Are they just giving me some [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] or is this true? My extended warranty is almost expired so I don't know if I should pay the 100 bucks and have them fix it or if I can do it myself.

[silvachris1]

The light in the door panel right next to the door handle? The light that's about the size of this equal sign = ? How about, is it located here?
http://images.cardomain.com/installs.../273836_46.jpg Is that the light you're talking about? If so, I have changed both of mine before, driver side, and passenger side. But I don't know what you're talking about with a red light? Might just be with your Firebird. Anywho, the lights do have some type of fiber optics to them, but it's not just as they described. In that whole plastic panel that the light is in, there is a piece of fiber optics that run to were the actualy light comes out of(note: not the bulb). The area where you actually see light has fiber optics running from there, down the backside of that panel to a housing where the light bulb really sets. The bulb is is easily removed from the back of the panel, but acts like it will break when you try to twist it. Just twist it on around. The bulb is very very small, and sets in a plastic casing that cannot be removed from the wire harness. The next problem is that the bulb must be removed from the plastic casing on the end of the wire harness. The bulb itself, when removed, is only about a centimeter long, and looked similar to a Christmas tree light bulb when it is removed from its casing. It is actually the same when trying to remove these, but is very difficult. Another problem you will have is finding a replacement bulb. I have some lights out of the dash of an older car. When the bulb is removed from it's old housing, it will fit into your car's. Sorry if this is confusing, but I hope it helps. And don't hesitate to ask questions, cause I know it can be explained a bit better once you open it up and look.

[ February 07, 2003: Message edited by: silvachris1 ]</p>

[RSFireDog]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by firebird99:
I asked the dealer but they said that I could not do this on my own because these lights are fiber optic so they would have to send for the part and stereo.<hr></blockquote>


I wouldnt suggest changing the lights in the stereo yourself, they are pretty much a pain in the...uh...yeah...

But anyways, fiber optic lights huh? Thats a good one. Its a bulb, take off the door panel and you can swap it out. Get the part number from the dealer cause I dont know what size it is.

[silvachris1]

OK, to clarify what I was saying. The bulb in the door goes into the door panel, but plugs in a couple inches below where the visible light shines out of the panel. The bulb plugs into a housing and the light is transferred from there through fiber optics to where it actually shines out. Wether or not it is actual fiber optics, or just a piece of clear plastic, I don't know, but I do know that in my car, the buld does not plug in right where it shines out at. pop the panel off and take a look at it. As for your radio stuff, I don't have a clue. The little bulbs that go in your door look like this http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...36_47_full.jpg There is a penny there to compare sizes. That black plastic thing is similar to the way the housing on the end of the wire harness looks. You can see how I said it looks like a Christmas tree light bulb when removed from the hosing. The black housing that the bulb sets in, has to plug into its own housing and then turns and "clicks" into place. Hope it helps.

[geisencam]

Hey guys do my 93 camaro have these little lights in the door? I see the little holes but I don't no if there is a light in there.

[CAMAROWITHBASS]

anyone have a part #?

[silvachris1]

Part number for what, the bulbs? The only thing that I see that could identify them is on the bottom. It says Toshiba V-2. I got a couple extras layin around. They are harder than crap to get out of their plastic housings though.

[Casanova]

I don't think 93's have them......I couldn't even find the hole for it on mine......

[Wolfy]

nice info silvachris1 this helps out a lot, i was wondering where to get one of these bulbs, i live in a small town with a chevy dealer, and a couple of auto parts stores, where did you get yours. my driver side is burned out. also, do you know anything bout the lights in the steering wheel. one of mine is burned out. its the one that controls the volume i think. and also do you know how to change that one??

[firebird99]

Thanks for all the help!! And yeah its that bulb you showed me silvachris1. The ones on my bird are red. I don't know if yours are a different color. As soon as I find out who carries these bulbs I'll change out the one on my door. I think I might have to order it from the dealer. That will just leave me with the problem of the light on the equalizer button, but I have no idea how to get to that one. I don't want to open up the stereo for fear of screwing something up. That light goes on and off depending on where the button is moved. Well thanks again for all the help everybody.

[geisencam]

Can someone send me a pic of the light with it on. Thanks

[silvachris1]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Wolfy:
nice info silvachris1 this helps out a lot, i was wondering where to get one of these bulbs, i live in a small town with a chevy dealer, and a couple of auto parts stores, where did you get yours. my driver side is burned out. also, do you know anything bout the lights in the steering wheel. one of mine is burned out. its the one that controls the volume i think. and also do you know how to change that one??<hr></blockquote>

Welcome, I'm glad it helps. Sorry to say, I don't have the foggiest idea where to get them. I live in a small town too, so I would have the same problems trying to find more. I found mine in our garage. The lights came out of the dash of an older car. The last dash I worked on was a 71 Camaro, but I don't know if that's where our extras came from. The bulbs I have are just regular yellow/white looking lights, nothing special. Sorry, I don't know anything about the steering wheel lights. I have two or three of the bulbs left if ya cant find anything. Just IM or something. Silvachris1 on AIM and MSN


<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by firebird99:
Thanks for all the help!! And yeah its that bulb you showed me silvachris1. The ones on my bird are red. I don't know if yours are a different color. As soon as I find out who carries these bulbs I'll change out the one on my door. I think I might have to order it from the dealer. That will just leave me with the problem of the light on the equalizer button, but I have no idea how to get to that one. I don't want to open up the stereo for fear of screwing something up. That light goes on and off depending on where the button is moved. Well thanks again for all the help everybody.<hr></blockquote>

I don't know about the red bulbs. Are the bubls themselves red or are they clear? I would consider trying to fit some LED's into the slot, they are about the same size as the normal bubls, and they last sooo much longer. Again, sorry, but the door lights are as far as my knowledge goes in this thread. Like I said a second ago, I got a couple extra lights settin around, if ya cant find any.

If anybody needs any extra help when tryin to do this, just IM me, silvachris1 on AIM or MSN. I'll help ya through it if I can.