Roadmaster Wagon - license plate lighting problems

[turbo_wagon]

Hey guys,

I feel kinda silly asking this, but I'm having a problem. I can't figure out how to change the bulbs for illuminating the license plate on my 1996 RMW. I've unscrewed the two screws holding the plastic cover off, but I can't pry the holder down as parts of it won't fit through the housing on each side. I've tried taking off the five screws holding in the horizontal metal trim piece that sits under the keyed round button in hopes of sliding it out in case something in there is blocking the plastic bulb housing from pulling down.

That didn't work either, so I took off the plastic trim on the inside of the tailgate in hopes that I could get to the bulbs from that side, but I can't access them either. I've looked in the 1996 service manual, and didn't find anything useful in there either.

So, how the hell do I change my dead license plate bulbs without breaking any plastic pieces?? Hope you guys can help!

Pic for views:

 

[paart]

It's not an easy job. It's been addressed a couple times on another forum. I changed mine by removing the gate interior panel. That didn't make it easy, it just made it possible. You can get to the bulbs this way, but only after removing the gate bar on the outside also, as I recall. I can't remember, but I think that there something in the way inside the gate that has to be removed. The FSM says to remove the lenses and change the bulbs. Very helpful! Some guys claim that they have done it from outside. I don't see how! Change both bulbs.

 

[paart]

As I think about it more, it may be that nuts on the studs holding the gate bar come off the inside.

 

[turbo_wagon]

As I think about it more, it may be that nuts on the studs holding the gate bar come off the inside.

alright -- i'm gonna give it a go in a bit. i left everything disassembled so i'll just keep taking screws out until i get somewhere or don't have a rear end left. i'll post back and let you know how it turns out. thanks for your help. 🙂

 

[TheMasterPing]

The back light bar on the gate is indeed held on with nuts on studs (studs attached to the bar sticking in through the gate). a little socket the right size and maybe some bendy-wrench attachments to get in there is all that's needed to loosen them, pliars might honestly be able to loosen the nuts, they werent on there too hard on mine. Once you have the back bar off, it's really easy as far as i can remember.

I dont remember the gate panel being very difficult to remove, just remove the handles first, then all the screws around the edge.

-Ping

 

[turbo_wagon]

i took off the 3 nuts that hold the "light bar" on to the tailgate. 10mm with a couple of wobble attachments and the nuts are off.

the reason the clear plastic light covers (that the bulbs shine through) wouldn't come out is because the C clip thingies that that the 2 screws for each lense screw into that are on the light bar protrude over the lense cover housing. i suppose on some cars the lenses would pop out if the C clips were aligned correctly but none of mine were. got them both changed. would take maybe 20-30 minutes start to finish knowing what i know now but i've spent at least 2 hours screwing around with it over the past few days.

oh well, next time.

thanks for your help paart & ping.

 

[tinworm]

I just did this on my 1996 RMW. I was able to pry the plastic housings out without breaking anything. I used 2 flat blade screw drivers and got the forward edge and the right end to come out first. Working slowly and carefully. I did remove the stainless trim piece first. My problem is the bulbs. I got # 168 that the owners manual calls for but they are too big. Maybe the previous owner changed the sockets. Any thoughts? I love my wagon.

 

[G-937505]

Hella 24 bulbs