76 New Yorker in door interior light bulb replacement

fakirone

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Do I really have to pull the whole door panel to replace this bulb in my driver's door?

I see no other way to get the lens out or to otherwise access the light. Am I (hopefully) missing something?



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its been a while since ive done 1, but i bleev the lens will pop out - i think theres 4 tabs on the edge of the lens you can press with a blade or thin screwdriver
 
its been a while since ive done 1, but i bleev the lens will pop out - i think theres 4 tabs on the edge of the lens you can press with a blade or thin screwdriver
Hmmm, I'll have to see if I can find a picture of the lens online so I can see how that might work.
 
Might the entire armrest assy unscrew from the base trim panel? Or have some hidden screws along the bottom, tabs on top, so it can be removed that way?

I have not doubt the lens has tabs which hold it in place, so . . . considering the age of the plastic involved, BRITTLENESS of the plastic can be an issue. Which can mean extreme care (and holding your mouth just right) can be side issues in getting the lens out in one piece.

Best of luck,
CBODY67
 
I was hoping that I could find a parts illustration in the 1974 Chrysler parts manual, for the "build" of the door panels. All I found was a ref to the complete panel (group 23-92-5) rather than the items thereof.

When I looked in "Group 23 -- Body" (found the 1974 Chrysler Parts Book file at www.mymopar.com, which should carry over into the later Formals, as to illustrations but not the specific part numbers for the later years), I could find the door pull strap escutcheon pop-in trim and the inside "remote control" door handle items, but not any reference to the door courtesy light lens. PERHAPS it is in the "Interior Lighting" area instead?

Happy Digging!
CBODY67

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After further digging in Group 8 . . .
Door Courtesy Bulb Type 211-2 Chrysler part number 9431808
Door Courtesy Lens C/Y door 3488962 Qty = 4 total

===========================

Putting "Chrysler 3488962" into Google resulted in some nice finds!

The first one was a source for the 3488962 3D printed lenses! Plus other things "Chrysler" and "Mopar". It has a front and backside picture of the lenses. With a part number for ordering. I did not investigate pricing. It did mention the material and that a higher-heat material would be best. In another lens listing, it mentioned another material, with an extra letter on its designation. All of this in the "Chrysler" listing.

When I clicked on the "Mopar" icon, some other neat things are listed. Including a plastic Magnum 500 center cap, which might need to be painted/plated. A few other neat things, too. Look and see what you think.

Further down in the Search Results was a link to a post in this website, circa 2019, of a parts "find" of NOS Chrysler parts. I did not check on that, though, as I suspected whatever was going to happen, already had happened.

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REMEMBER, IF you might find NOS lenses, they will be at least as old as the 1974 model year, IF the 1974s are the same lenses as the later model years were. So any cautions about handling will apply as the lenses are as old as the car is, generally.

DO find somebody with an old Chrysler Parts Manual for your year model to verify these part numbers, as to correctness for your model year! I suspect they did go all the way to the end of 1978 production, but have no way of verifying that myself. So DO CHECK! Even if the difference might be a distinctive silk screened logo or outline casting.

DO search the bulb manufacturer websites (i.e., Sylvania) for info on the "211-2" bulb and what might be similar to it (available locally), as to socket base dimensions, candlepower, and wattage. Converting to LED might be an option, but knowing the OEM specs can assist in that crossover. Personally, I would stay with the incandescent bulbs for cost savings and "being correct" for the car and its intended ambience. Once the lenses are removed, a simple cleaning and shining of the reflector should put things back to OEM-production condition, normally.
 
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Hmmm, I'll have to see if I can find a picture of the lens online so I can see how that might work.
IMHO, taking the lens out from the front is probably going to break the old plastic tabs.

It's pretty easy to pull that door panel. The strap is already gone, so it's just a couple screws for the window switch (which you say needs to be replaced anyway) and probably the door handle. Then it's just unsnap the panel from the door. Then you can push the tabs n the lens over and out without prying and breaking from the outside.

I suggest sending the broken switches to @Devinism for repair.

The back of the light in the panel.

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I highly recommend a set of these from Harbor Freight to pry the panel off. https://www.harborfreight.com/nylon-pry-bar-installer-kit-4-piece-63594.html

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Here's another pic from the other side showing the where the 4 tabs clip in.

The lens pops out.

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I think the lens tab fatality rate is at about 90% or so.
And I don't think there's any NOS left.
Perfect job for a 3D printer.
 
Unlikely, but if they're made of nylon you can spray them with some water, the nylon will absorb it over time and be less brittle as a result
 
IMHO, taking the lens out from the front is probably going to break the old plastic tabs.

It's pretty easy to pull that door panel. The strap is already gone, so it's just a couple screws for the window switch (which you say needs to be replaced anyway) and probably the door handle. Then it's just unsnap the panel from the door. Then you can push the tabs n the lens over and out without prying and breaking from the outside.

I suggest sending the broken switches to @Devinism for repair.

The back of the light in the panel.

View attachment 691863

I highly recommend a set of these from Harbor Freight to pry the panel off. https://www.harborfreight.com/nylon-pry-bar-installer-kit-4-piece-63594.html

View attachment 691864
Yeah I have trim tools, but my door card is in pretty rough shape, soft from moisture, and I was REALLY hoping not to have to pull it. Guess I will though.

Thanks all.
 
Well I finally got brave enough to try to pop the lens out, came out easy. Almost too easy imo. Tabs are fine.

Unfortunately, the dang fixture is missing. No wonder I have no illumination from this door.

Any of you all have a fixture? While we are at it, anyone know where I can source the board for the lower door card? Mine's trash from water damage. Which is why I didn't want to pull it in the first place. I need that, the door pull, and obviously the light fixture.

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IMHO, taking the lens out from the front is probably going to break the old plastic tabs.

It's pretty easy to pull that door panel. The strap is already gone, so it's just a couple screws for the window switch (which you say needs to be replaced anyway) and probably the door handle. Then it's just unsnap the panel from the door. Then you can push the tabs n the lens over and out without prying and breaking from the outside.

I suggest sending the broken switches to @Devinism for repair.

The back of the light in the panel.

View attachment 691863

I highly recommend a set of these from Harbor Freight to pry the panel off. https://www.harborfreight.com/nylon-pry-bar-installer-kit-4-piece-63594.html

View attachment 691864
For some reason, the forum won't let me message him to check on rebuilding my switches
 
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