Jeff928S4

1989 S4. Rear passenger side marker light is out. Went to Nichols site and found little on this. Did a search and found these threads..

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...lb+replacement
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...lb+replacement

Not quite what I needed (or maybe I missed something). I am attempting to change the bulb on the passenger side rear marker light.

Now it appears I don't have to remove any plastic guards to get at the assembly - it is visible by just taking a peek up in the rear wheel-well.. I pulled the rubber boot off to take a look and it seems I need to unscrew a couple of nuts on either side of the assembly to get it to push out so I can get at the bulb. One nut looks easy to get at, but the one on the backside looks to be a bit harder a task.

Is this correct? Do I need to remove these nuts and push the bulb holder (and light itself) out through the hole in the cars panel? Any tips anyone knows of?

Also, would anyone know off-hand what bulb fits in there?

Thanks!

Gretch

You do not need to remove the nuts, but I found this out the hard way, by removing the nuts.....Once I took the whole thing apart, it was obvious to me that the bulb holder can be removed by itself. I wish I could remember if you "push and twist", or what.....but I don't remember.....I bet DR knows.....or someone at INTL.............maybe Jim. Standard single filimant 12 v bulb.....I took one out and took it to the store...........Nothing is ever that easy with these cars.....

sharkmeister85

If memory serves, the holder can be taken out, by kind of levering a tab on it in one direction. Don't know if that helps.
Glenn

Jeff928S4

That's good news (about not having to remove the nuts - I was just on my out to attempt it!!). So it's perhaps a push or a twist or maybe even a "push-twist"......I'll wait to see which before I break something

I take it once I do this, it will be easier to get that damn rubber boot back on too!

Jeff928S4

So, I'm guessing these nuts I saw only hold the actual light to the car itself and the bulb assembly will pull out towards the tire, yes?

Jeff928S4

**(gone searching for info on this tab - I think there was something about this in a thread I found, but it wasn't explained in much depth)**

perrys4

I did the one on the fuel pump side of the car and ended up removing the nuts to get it out. A real bitch because there is no room with the pump in the way. I put it back together with wing nuts so next time I could get at it easier. I dont recall it just pulling out without undoig the nuts but it is possible but I didnt do it that way.

Jeff928S4

I'll have to remember that for when the bulb blows out on that side.....good tip.

So, nobody knows if it's a twist or a push or a twisty-pull-push to get it out? I'm going to go out and take a peek for this "tab" and see if I can find it.

sharkmeister85

I wish I could describe it better. As I recall, by pulling (or pushing?) the tab, it releases the holder to swing free. The tab is part of the holder. In the end it is a PITA to take the whole assembly out, but once you see how the holder is held in its not only obvious, but painfully obvious.
Glenn

the flyin' scotsman

Boyee........as noted above, you do not have to remove the entire side-marker assembly to replace the bulb, if thats whats wrong. The bulb holder assembly does indeed release by pushing in a retaining clip. I did the exact same operation last fall and the biggest difficulty is the room between the gas tank etc and the light ***. Also, check the condition of the wires, my ground wire was broken hence the lack of illumination. You may want to experiment on the easier to reach front markers!

Jeff928S4

Well - I found the tab....pulled the assembly out (it was tight, like the flyin' scotsman said).

I cleaned it all up (the bulb base was broken off in the socket) and installed a new bulb - didn't work.

I am looking at all the indicator lights and also notice the front one is out on the same side. Both lights on the drivers side work. I checked fuses and all lit up green in the tester. Is there something that would make both the front and rear indicator light go out, besides the bulbs and fuses? Is there something that controls both lights at once?

Jeff928S4

Went back and checked bulb on front indicator light and it seemed fine (the back one was obvioulsy blown). Put new bulb in front (just to check) and it also doesn't work.

Gave it up for the night - too stressed from trying to put that rubber boot back over the assembly...

DR

Sorry for the blurry pic, but this should help. It is harder to explain than to do.

Push plastic tab away from metal socket, angle socket up and out.

the flyin' scotsman

I believe each marker bulb has its own power and ground circuit..........when my grd wire to the passenger rear broke I got the idiot warning light. Now that you've confirmed the rear issue was a bulb its highly probable the front has same.

kuwona

Has anyone ever thougt of or tried replacing the marker and taillights etc. with L.E.D.s I just saw something on ebay that made me think of it...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=26436