I just got thru giving my coupe a detailing and a carnauba butter waxing, in anticipation of using it as my daily driver thru the winter, and I noticed the corpse of a very small bug inside the 3rd brake light. NOW .... after having a congratulatory beer (for the wax job), I'd like to get that critter out of there.
How do I get access? I searched, and only found the suggestion of buying the special tools used to pop the inside panel, OR use a screw driver to pry it and be careful not to scratch anything. Anybody done this before and have some tips?

 

Howard, I can't recall exactly how to get to that, but I did strip down a hatch of a coupe and part it out. I can't recall anything really special or special tools needed. Once you get the trim panel off, it should be a no brainer. I think one screw by the pull handle needs to be removed, then the trim panel will pull off. It is dark now or I would go look for you. If you can't figure it out, post here and I will check mine out in the daylight and get back to you.

Many years ago I bought a kit similar to this and it works wonders for jobs like this:

http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Too...8118132&sr=8-1




James

 

James ... I thought you might come to the rescue. You 'da man ....... I'll give it a try tomorrow. thanks

 

That's pretty much it.
You need to remove the panel with the pull down handle first! Or you could break the other panel. Once you unscrew the one screw (inside the pull down handle under a cover) then it's a bunch of clips holding both the panels down... just pull up gently and evenly as you work around the panel and they'll come off... then it's only 3 screws to take the brake light housing out.

I've had two bugs in mine for over a year and one day I'll get to it.

 

thanks 04 .......