1996 Riv Door Panels

I need any tips for removing the door panels on my 1996 Riviera. Again, I cannot find the manual for my car (Haynes or Chiltons) so no idea what's going on here.

I appreciate any tips or photos one may have!

Regards

they do not make a Haynes or Chilton's for the 95-99 riviera's. but all you do to remove the door is unscrew the 2 screws in the leather handle, the one behind the open handle, the one at the top ends of the door.(so thats 5 screws total IIRC) then lift up on the door to unhook it from the metal. be careful not to break and clips. there are 4-5 plastic L clips along the bottom of the door and a few on top. i think there may be a write up with some pics on rivperformance.com

they do not make a Haynes or Chilton's for the 95-99 riviera's. but all you do to remove the door is unscrew the 2 screws in the leather handle, the one behind the open handle, the one at the top ends of the door.(so thats 5 screws total IIRC) then lift up on the door to unhook it from the metal. be careful not to break and clips. there are 4-5 plastic L clips along the bottom of the door and a few on top. i think there may be a write up with some pics on rivperformance.com

OK - going to be removing the door panel tomorrow to try to fix the lock - and also replace one bulb in the door (love the theater lighting in this car.. love all the lighting in this car). Does anyone know the bulb types for the lights in the door (specifically the ones shining down on the handles?)

OK - going to be removing the door panel tomorrow to try to fix the lock - and also replace one bulb in the door (love the theater lighting in this car.. love all the lighting in this car). Does anyone know the bulb types for the lights in the door (specifically the ones shining down on the handles?)

Need this:

http://i20.servimg.com/u/f20/11/40/24/94/07-13-10.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1&u=11402494)

You can replace only the lamp by soldering a new one to the harness/connector. My guess is that a 8098 (14V) or 8099 (18V) lamp would work nicely. I'm also guessing that the complete harness/lamp assembly will come with a fairly hefty price.

You can replace only the lamp by soldering a new one to the harness/connector. My guess is that a 8098 (14V) or 8099 (18V) lamp would work nicely. I'm also guessing that the complete harness/lamp assembly will come with a fairly hefty price.

Wow, I can solder, but this thing is tiny!

Wow, I can solder, but this thing is tiny!

I'm here to proclaim it is not humanly possible to solder a bulb to this connector - it was never meant to be repaired! Furthermore I proclaim that I need to find this whole unit!

I went through 2 bulbs (the smallest I could find but still too big to fit in the lighting hole in the door by a factor of 4) and no go. I tried an LED but it burned out.

The bulb on the end of my picture is TINY! I think it is smaller than it looks even in reference to my hand - microscopic!

The part number I have is 12536289 but I'm not sure they are even right. :banghead:

I have a '95 Riviera and according to the Riviera exploded parts diagram that is the correct part number (12536289) and it includes the entire assembly (lamp, wiring harness, and connector). They are still available through the dealer (I just ordered two of them for $16.85 each) and it looks like you can also find them at www.newgmparts.com for $14.36 each.

While I am here - you can get the tiny lamps that go in the door pulls at http://vpartsinc.com/. These are the tiny lamps that shine down on the window and door lock controls. They are barely visible through a tiny slit in this door strap handle. The part number is 12535585. Expensive though. They are $20.33 each with about $7.50 in shipping.