Has anyone changed a right rea brake light on a roadster? I started, unscrewed the tumb screw yet the snaps seem quite strong. How nuch of a pain is it to remove and re-install enough of an area to access the brake light? Any tricks before I tear more of it apart?

 

I've changed bulbs on both sides. I raised (lowered) the top to "Both Up" position and stopped there. You have 10 minutes to reach in through the opening. Works great.

 

are you talking about removing the rivets on the carpeting or removing the actual bulb? removing bulb should be easy with no force at all needed. most pain was removing the carpeting surrounding the trunk area.

 

Max, I didn't know you even used the brakes (smile) so how could you wear out a pair of brake lights (bigger smile)?

 

I was writing about the carpet. In the manual it says remove access panel...maybe in a coupe but couldn't find it in Roadster

 

i have a roadster too and the panel is behind the carpet. you'll need to remove a lot of the plastic rivets to pull the carpeting and without bending it and leaving a crease.

to make it easy on yourself, i suggest buying an inexpensive rivet puller like what i bought below...

AutoZone.com | UpholsteryClipRemovalTool | Upholsterycliptool

 

Actually, Bruce, you can switch the bulbs without removing anything. It's a bit of a double-jointed elbow exercise, but you can reach around the carpets and surrounds and remove/replace the bulbs by feel. The sockets pull out and push back in with a quarter turn, like any other bulb assembly.

Takes about five minutes and two aspirin. Or shots of JD.

Good luck.

 

I swapped them (brake lamps) out for Stealth bulbs. All white and red-no yellow. Nice.

 

Got it changed...came out very easy. Tried every contortion in the book to get the bulb back in the socket. Finally removed the light assembly replaced the bulb in the socket, returned the b & s to light assembly and reassembled. All went well until I saw the trunk light anf pulled the fixture to replace the bulb...where the *(&&* is the wire that goes to yhat? Guess I'll wait till spring to get the 3 50 pound sand bags out of the trunk to search for them. Ain't my day

 

maxcichon,
Thanks...That's an easy way to access the bulbs. Once I did the lid trick, I was able to reach the bulb and turn-it a quarter turn and it was loose, but the wires are too short so I can not get the correct angle to pull the socket and bulb out. Any suggestions as to how you got yours out.

Thanks
Ben

 

There is just enough loose wire to pull my bulb out and do the swap. At least in mine. It's a contortionists trick to do it, but beats the heck out of having to replace $35 worth of one-use push rivets.

It's the only way I found to do it!

 

So, do you have to replace the rivets after removing?

 

I'm glad you posted this little gem. You saved me from having to pull the upholstery out. I reached around as you said and with a little gymastics and about three minutes, I had the brakelight changed...didn't think I would be able to do it with one hand but I did. Thanks for the headsup.

 

I assume there must be a model year difference for bulb access; I just changed out mine anticipating removing those rivets for access, but just raised the roof, stowed the divider, and reached around to release the socket as some others have stated. Yes it takes some one handed dexterity to remove and replace the bulb, but 50-50 chance of getting bulb oriented properly, and then it is easy. Done in less than 5 minutes.


BTW have a 2006 Roadster (Yellow) Sorry, proud of it, but no pics.

 

While it is NOT necessary to remove any panels to access the light sockets, it IS necessary to remove the rear and DS panels to access the top pump reservoir, and necessary to remove the rear an PS panels to access the locking pump.

The plastic fasteners are NOT one time use as Max previously stated ( and now knows ).

A special tool is not required, a simple screw driver to barely lift the center part, then a pair of wire cutters to extract it further ( NOT TO CUT IT ! ) works just fine.

It is usually possible to remove the fastener and the retainer piece together, but no problem if you completely remove the retainer before removing the fastener.
The two go back together easily enough.

 

I can't believe I said that! Duh!

Or..."Doh!"

 

is it possible to reach all the bulb sockets by reaching around? I intend to replace turn signals and backup lights this coming weekend.

 

Yes, it is possible to access all bulb sockets.

 

Great thanks - that should save me some work this weekend - more time to enjoy the ride!

 

I have the left side of the third brake light (trunk) not working. Do I have to take off the internal trunk cover to reach the bulb? Any fast tricks to exchange the bulb there? Where I can find that bulb as well? I did not find any indications in the forum?
Same trouble on my rear right brake light, need to change the bulb. Sucks ... just replaced my broken rear left headlight.