How do you get that 3rd brake light off in the back window?

[grandamdriver52]

The light in the back window went outm in my 95 grand am and me and ma pa looked at it and we can't figure out how to take it off, it sorta folds down a bit but if we force it it will prbly break cause someone we know did the same thing and its broken. there are no crews that we can get to take it off and i cant get it off. does anyone know who to take that 3rd break light off? Thanks

[Hoags]

The Haynes manual states the following:

Pull down on the plastic brake light cover until it unsnaps from the base plate.

Next:

Push in on the small retainer tab holding the lamp bulb into the base plate and withdraw the bulb and holder. Carefully unplug the bulb from the socket Note if the bulb is being replaced, be sure to use the correct type and wattage.

That is right from the manual, I have not had to replace mine on my 96GAGT so I don't know how brittle the tabs are. Unfortunatly with the brake light being mounted against the roof the heat and cold cycle may make the plastic fragile. I would use extream caution when removing the cover...you may want to wait until you get a hot day and try removing the cover while the plastic is softer and more flexible from the heat.

Good luck, let me know how it goes, I know my turn is coming soon, it's just a matter of time before my bulb burns out.

[no wise cracks form some of you that would love to get a dig in on me] I'll be the first to admit the my bulb went out long ago.HaHaHa.

Dan

[Knifeblade]

I ain't sayin' nuttin'

[Knifeblade]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800e5aba.jsp

This helps show ya what Hoags is saying to ya, and as Hoags says be very very careful, the cover gets really fragile!!!!!!!!

[Hoags]

Knife I am supprised you didn't take the shot. I was waiting for you reply, you may not get another chance. LOL

Dan

p.s. Thanks for the back-up with the additional info and link. That 3rd brake light is one of those things you don't give thought to until you go to clean behind it and then say "forget it" but the time will come when the bulb goes out and you have to gain access. I'm not lookin' forward to it.

[grandamdriver52]

Thanks alot guys, tat helps one of my light problems. i have others but i know who to do them its that well....OK NEVER EVER BUY LIGHTS AT WALMART!...i know it sounds dumb when went there but we went there before they were like, really good but we just put a light in on the passenger side corner light by the head light and its not yellowish orange like the other one, its sorta pink. yea, im going to redwood motor or napa...so thanks for the help guys.

[grandamdriver52]

yea...thanks guys, but i will have to wait a while, till it gets warm like ya said so nothin breaks, haha, i live in minnesota, go figure...

[Knifeblade]

well, grandam, if ya really need to rplace it, to stop some eager-beaver officer just looking for a pull-over excuse

Old-time trick~~~~~~~~

run an extension cord to the ride, plug in your hair dryer on low, and warm it up all over, until it feels warm to touch, will reduce chance of breakeage.

How's that , Dan?

Attack Pig

[Knifeblade]

OT to Dan, was too easy a shot, buddy, give me something to shoot for, LMAO, U rock.

[grandamdriver52]

yea...later probly, cause im putting in a new cd player an speakers first before i do that cause i have to pop the back up by the rear window out cause i cant UNSCREW IT FROM THE TRUNK!....haha, sry about that, its realy weird that i cant take out the speakers from the trunk.

[Knifeblade]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800e599d.jsp

yeah, sure seems like an alful lot to have to go through to replace them. Too bad ya don't have the system that earlier rides used, as ya can see in the link above.

[Hoags]

Knife, Good job reachin' into the OLD bag of tricks. The hair dryer is a good idea, just make sure you use a hair dryer and not a heat gun "Melt down". I only say this because one of my inlaws was doing interior work and grabbed the heat gun not paying attention and soon enough the plastic moulding was a lump of unrecognizable goop.

HAT's OFF TO THE ATTACK PIG!!!

Dan

[Hoags]

OH Yea, forgot to mention...the wife left me the GAGT today, I finally get to drive it it's been a while. She's been using it becaus it gets better milage than the XL-7.

I can't wait to go give it a good running the only b*tch about it is I get to find all the little things that are going bad since I drove it last. You know those little things that she has been describing as little noises which turn out to be big issues. Don't get me wrong I love her but the automotive know how is still in the education phase, she's come a long way and I find it easier to pin point the issue.

I may end up throwing out a thread later today.

Dan

[grandamdriver52]

carp, that looks like hard work to remove the rear speakers. Might take me a while but at least it gives me somethin to do. i know how to take the stock radio out so im good in that area.

[Hoags]

Grand Am, just take your time,don't rush...that is when s*it happens. I always try to look ahead and figure out the next move, that forces meto look at the task at hand real close so I don't screw up.

good luck,
Dan