Are those lights?

I posted another question about this car and forgot to include this one. I got a 1985 Park Avenue. I'm wondering....are those actual light fixtures that are on the posts between the front and back door or just lenses just for looks? If they ARE light fixtures, how do you get in there to change the bulbs? Please forgive my lack of knowlege about this car. I'm usually a truck kinda guy. I just got a smokin deal on this car so now I'm trying to get all caught up on it's "inner-workings." :dunno:

-Mike-

Yep, those are lights..I believe those are called "opera lights"..the same kind you find on limos! My old 88' had them (same body as 85'). I can't say for sure how to remove the lense to change the bulbs, but did you try prying them off from the outside?

No I haven't tried to pry them off. I wasn't even sure that they were in fact lights. I'll give it a go and let yah know how I faired. Thanks for the info.

-Mike-

:22yikes:

Don't try to pry off the lenses!!! On those Park Ave's, the opera lamps are electroluminescent, meaning they have a flat white tape-type layer sandwiched it there...there's no bulb to change. When it's pretty dark out, turn on the lights, even the parking lights. They should softly illuminate. They have a bad habit, though, of just not working after they get old. And there's no way to make them work again. You have to replace the lamp assembly (sorry guys, but I don't quite know how to get them out, though). Problem is that if you get more out of the junkyard (which is about the only place to get more), you run the risk of getting more bad assemblies...and even worse, because they emit a soft glow, rather than a distinct light (from a bulb), you can't just plug them into your car in the parking lot in broad daylight to test them out before you buy them. It has to be pretty dark before you can see them. I had them on my last car, a 95 Roadmaster, and went through several from a junkyard before I found a replacement that worked properly. It's a nice touch on a luxury car. Personally, I like them, but many don't feel it's worth the hassle trying to replace them. Comes down to how much time, energy and money you want to put into the car.
Hope this helps.

I saw an 88' on cardomain in which the owner installed some custom red bulbs inside the lenses somehow..he probably removed the factory style housing and somehow rigged up a new socket and fitted it in there. I like the look of those lights also, you won't find them on any new car with exception to Town Car limos..
My old 88's main problem with these lights was dew (I live in a VERY humid S. Texas!) Moisture buildup would get inside the lense and fade out the light. My neighbor's father bought the car from me to use the tranny (unfortunantly the tranny and engine were the only 2 "good" things about the car..) If I still had it, I'd look at those lights just to see how to service them. Post back when you find out anything!

I saw somewhere where a guy fabricated new lights using small led bulbs. He made them into a strip using carpet tape as a backing, and small strips of foil over the bulb to act as a reflector and eliminate the bright spots. The pictures looked pretty good.

I am surprised someone has not come out with luminescent stips for cutom work. I saw some material that can be cut to fit on the Today show a couple of months ago, they say you can use it anywhere. It was fabric or tape.

Loekee, I saw that same car on CarDomain. There was a discussion somewhere (can't remember where to save my life, though) about doing just that, taking apart the assembly and inserting a bulb and socket in. The only problem people talked about was that the light bulb, itself, was visible when lit, and the light was not evenly distributed throughout the lamp. Wasn't quite as nice as the lamps were when new, when the electroluminescent tape illuminated the whole lamp evenly. We have the same problem here in the Pacific Northwest. Rain for months on end turns sidewalks and buildings green and moisture gets in all kinds of headlamp/taillamp assemblies. You'll even see cars driving around with their taillamps half full of water sloshing around. The green mold would get up under the opera lamps and fade out the lamps. Sometimes, they would look like an etch-a-sketch, blotchy and faded. That's why a lot of people did not want to put the time and money into replacing the lamps.

Fall Guy - If I remember correctly, you have to remove the center pillar mouldings from the inside of the car to gain access to the opera lamps. There will be wires leading to the back end of the lamp, which should have a round component (which is the inverter, that somehow converts the 12V to whatever is needed to illuminate the tape). There should be a connector, which will allow you to remove the lamp, unplug it and plug in a new one. If you try to pry off the lens, you will break it apart and most likely, it would not be repairable.

Thanks guys, for all your input on this. I was able to pry the moulding off and see how the "insides" look, but proberly wont be getting anything to work in there. I managed to screw up the moulding. It is supposed to somehow slide to one side and then pop off. Well, I didn't slide it. I just pryed it up. The little bracket that does the sliding is just mounted to the moulding with what looks like 3-M two sided tape. So I'll be going back with the same. No real big deal though.
-Mike-

Don't forget to check eBay for those lamps and even possibly the trim piece. Lots of people are parting out their cars and may have their opera lamps up for sale. With eBay, though, you have to be specific when typing in what you're looking for...so use various forms of "opera" "lamp" "light" "coach" or better yet, try "park ave" and "park avenue". Good luck !