mj1pate

A periodically blown interior lamp fuse has now become regular. The interior lamp fuse blows when I raise the rear hatch. I highly suspect that this is caused by wires chafing near where the hatch meets the roof. I need to remove the rear hatch upholstery and inspect this. Is there a guide as to how to remove the rear hatch upholsttery pieces?

Thanks

Mike

linderpat

The WSM shows how to do this. I pulled off the piece at the bottom of the rear hatch area when I replaced my rear latch. There are little round caps that must be pulled out (they are slotted like a screwdriver underneath), and after they are out, the remaining round plastic part you see in the hole is a clip - just pull it straight out. Work around the trim this way, but do so carefully so as not to break the parts. I also used a putty knife (taped with duct tape to cover the sharp edges) and used that to gently pry the trim from behind as I worked my way around - it just requires care. If you break a couple clips, the big 3 have them cheap...

Rod Underwood

You will need to remove the rear visors and then there are six or eight push type connectors - similar to the door panels.. You can work slowly along the edge, find them and then gently pry them out. It's easy, but you'll be nervous about breaking the connectors or worse yet pulling them out of the trim piece. If you have a door trim tool or something thin to insert next to them to pry with, you'll be less likely to damage the panel.

There may a write-up with photos somewhere, if you don't feel comfortable with this, do a search. I couldn't find anything in the Nichols site.

Good luck,
Rod.

Hawkeyes

Mike,

I'll bet money the problem is the hatch interior light contacts touching bare metal on inside hatch. Before pulling out the upholstery panels, pop out the interior light and insulate the uninsulated contacts (I cut off the old ends and crimped on new covered female terminals).

It may save you a lot of time. When finished, do the same to your interior light and glove compartment light as PM.

Best,
Hawkeyes

Gary Knox

Mike,
With respect to the rear hatch light. You'll find in a previous post that a VW Jetta interior lamp makes a wonderful and MUCH SAFER replacement for the lousy designed lamp at the top of the hatch. If your lamp is making contact, I'd suggest considering one of these as a replacement. (Also good for replacing the one above the interior rear view mirror). Jim M. and Alan posted this modification about 2-3 months ago.

Gary Knox
West Chester, PA

mj1pate

Thanks Rod....It was easy getting in, as you described. I did find what I expected....a chaffed bare wire..but (sigh), it was a ground wire. None-the-less, I fixed and dressed the cables up properly with ribbed tubing and put all back together. Its working (for) now..

Mike

mj1pate

Indeed, the light fixtures are lacking. I had prevuously dressed the connectors, and even the bulb contacts with heat shrink. So much so that I'm more in danger of an open circuit than shoirt circuit at the housings. These should be replaced someday. .....

jpitman2

Recent story here of people visiting a local wrench, sipping coffee, smell burning insulation . Look around - an OB waiting to be worked on (been in workshop for days) is emitting smoke! The front of hatch light has shorted, BUT not blown fuse, and melted insulation is dripping on tunnel cover.......
jp 83 Euro S AT 50k