Dumb question, but this is only the first car we've ever actually owned.... Our 1995 sedan has 130,000 miles and is in great shape. The dome light has burnt out [or conceivably the fuse has blown, but I'm betting on the light]. I can't tell whether the whole metal dome light assembly pops out, or whether the plastic cover somehow pops out, or what. Please advise!

The plastic lens comes off. There is a clip next to the switch.

The plastic lens comes off. There is a clip next to the switch.

Thanks for the quick response, but unfortunately I don't understand it. It's kinda humiliating not to understand an eight-word sentence of one-syllable words. (And I can't imagine why I said the housing was "metal" -- well, I guess there's metal in there somewhere -- anyway, let's just overlook that.)

The dome light looks something like this: http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/206371dome.jpg . There appears to be a small notch in the edge of the lens on the side opposite the switch -- not really visible in the image, but it would be near the white highlight on the left. There may well be a clip next to the switch, but I don't understand "clip" or "next." On the lens next to the switch? Where the switch actually enters? Is the "clip" something to be pulled or squeezed or pried or what?

Mark Lindeman

The clip I referred to holds the lens on and the lens pivots on this clip as you remove the lens. Stick a screwdriver covered with masking tape into the notch and pry the lens away from the housing. You insert the clip first when you replace the lens and then snap the lens into the holder at the point of attachment designated by the position of the notch.

The more questions you ask, the longer and more complicated the answer will be. :)

(Sorry I wasn't clear in the first post)

Hey, I know just how that is. It can take one or two go-arounds to evaluate the relative cluelessness of the questioner and respond appropriately. (Like when answering a computer question, do I say, "You can adjust that in the Effects tab of the Display control panel," or do I say, "OK, click on the Start button at the lower right of the screen. Now.... [etc.]"?) Me, I'm pretty clueless about most things mechanical, never mind cars. I used to break things, before I learned to ask more questions instead!

But with your encouragement to pry on the notch -- and the useful advice about the masking tape -- mission accomplished. I even found some chipped paint I didn't know about (it's my wife's car) that I've touched up before the door goes to rust. Thanks again for the help.

Mark

You're welcome