Trick to removing taillight lens?

[ChickenPinz]

I've tried and tried to get the taillight lenses off, but with no success -- they seem stuck on pretty solidly.

Any successful suggestions? I tried cutting off an allen wrench to pull in the screw hole -- no success. I've tried using a mini-pry-bar around the edge -- no success. Also, it's not clear to me where the separation line is.

In the photo (right taillight underside), does the inner green plastic come with the lens, or is the lens just the clear part interior to that green? And I 'm not talking about the soft outer shell.

Helpful ideas?

[rmel]

Squirt a liberal amount of Dielectric grease between the lens and the
housing. Let it sit for a bit then get a hair dryer on that and get the
temp up a scoot or two. Working a medium sized screwdriver in there
turning the blade a wee bit as you go around and around and around.

The piece you see inside the lens is part of the lens, comes off with it.

Ironically I just had mine apart as the run light were out.

[ChickenPinz]

Finally got the lens off after removing the whole taillight assembly so I could work on it on the bench. Very very stuck lens-to-gasket, but lots of prying with vigor through the ground illumination window got it off. I'll try that soaking method on the second one.

Now to find out what the right part # for the missing bulb is (blackout bulb, I think), and pour over the schematic to understand what the unconnected orange wire (7 to 3 o'clock in the image) might have gone to.

And then....think about how I'm going to rebuild this so I can get normal (US-standard) running+brake+turn lights. As an EE, I'm not afraid of this problem -- it's more of a lamp selection and mechanical challenge.

Does anyone have access to the previous retrofit parts for these that would allow a high-low dual-filament bulb to be installed in the lower section?

Oh, and my other puzzle? Why a clear soft ring on the outer (upper in image) mounting boss, but not one on the inner (lower in image) mounting boss for the lens? And what purpose might it serve?

IMG_20200303_170822.jpg (312.63 KiB) Viewed 5287 times

[rmel]

Orange is a unconnected lead inside the housing, but before it gets to the
tail section it takes a visit to terminal 54 of the Hazard switch. The loose
end is intended for use for a dedicated Brake light -- Dah, why didn't they
do that at the getgo? Once you have the dual filament conversion -- and
I too would like to source a pair -- you would connect Orange to the Brake
filament, disconnect the WHT wire off terminal 49b of hazard switch -- which
prevents Brake light power on the newly repurposed turn lights.

[ChickenPinz]

Orange is a unconnected lead inside the housing, but before it gets to the
tail section it takes a visit to terminal 54 of the Hazard switch. The loose
end is intended for use for a dedicated Brake light -- Dah, why didn't they
do that at the getgo? Once you have the dual filament conversion -- and
I too would like to source a pair -- you would connect Orange to the Brake
filament, disconnect the WHT wire off terminal 49b of hazard switch -- which
prevents Brake light power from flashing the turn lights.

Thanks! Parts are on order, and once I modify the light I'll post pictures. Unless they're too embarrassing.

For the blackout light, I'm going to try a #1829 bulb. Brake+taillight will be #1662.

[rmel]

Did you happen to find a source for the bulb bracket?
One with two bulbs; 2 filament + 1 filament and fits in
the stock Pinz housing? I did find a source for low profile
sockets so I was planning to fab new brackets. Rather
go with a plug'n'play id one exists.

[ChickenPinz]

Did you happen to find a source for the bulb bracket?
One with two bulbs; 2 filament + 1 filament and fits in
the stock Pinz housing? I did find a source for low profile
sockets so I was planning to fab new brackets. Rather
go with a plug'n'play id one exists.

I have some sockets on order, and plan to modify the existing brackets to accommodate them, removing the base contact for the tail light and replacing it with a BAY15D socket. In addition to the standard #1662 bulbs, I ordered what SAV sells to try those out as well. On the socket, I expect the process will involve drilling a couple holes on either side of the tail light bulb hole and mounting the new socket on a pair of threaded standoffs.

[rmel]

Were on the same glide path.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-1157-2057-2 ... %7Ciid%3A1

[newtopinz]

I've seen people use the pink wire for brake light rather than the orange wire. I think SAV instruction also uses the pink wire. Maybe more than one way to skin a cat. Seems to me using the orange wire is much more straight forward but if you disconnect WHT from 49b, don't you loose rear hazard lights? Plus, doesn't seem the orange wire continues to the trailer socket if I'm reading the schematic correctly.

[ChickenPinz]

Were on the same glide path.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-1157-2057-2 ... %7Ciid%3A1

Similar. I'm going with a more traditional metal assembly: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WS ... UTF8&psc=1

[rmel]

Hmmm, Ya, don't want the Hazard to go away (no pun intended).
In that case move Orange from the tail light from terminal 54 to
terminal 49b, While still removing WHT from 49b.

But yes, there are a number of ways to get the proper functionality.