HELP!! with bulb replacement

[Dinkydow]

I would appreciate help from anyone that knows how to replace a burned out fog light bulb on a 94 Q, also is it possible for a green horn to change a burned out bulb on the dash lights for the odometer?? Would anyone be able to talk me through the two?? Thanks WBKOS

[PalmerWMD]

Moved to infinitonline mechanic.

Fred...

[AZhitman]

I'd like some guidance with the fog bulb replacement as well....

[sultan]

while i have never changed the bulbs with the light in the car (or the headlights for that matter) i have taken apart the front end and removed my fog lights at that time. don't worry they will be replaced, but after i put some sort of metal grill between them, because i think it will look cool. heres some pics i just took, i hope they will help. i resized them smaller so if you need the pic twice as big i can upload it for you. it's a 94, btw.

i think you need to remove these panels, they are like the plastic thing you remove when changing oil.

under car passenger.

under car driver

inside driver, through fog light hole.

[sultan]

back of fog light.

after unscrewing cap you have to undo a metal arm

here it is open and light is out. pull on white cable from light to disconnect.

[AZhitman]

Sultan, you're a stud, brotha - Thanks!

[sultan]

still looks like a pain even after i took the pics. i think moving the metal arm that holds the bulb and unhooking the wire would be pretty hard to do, as i don't think you get enough space to put both hands in and see what you are doing. actually i think it would be easier just to take the bumper off, the fog lights are bolted to the bumper reinforcement which also comes off.

edit: oh yeah, if any of you want pics of the fuel tank as it sits in the car i can take some. the panel in the trunk is removed right now so you get a good view.

[Dinkydow]

Sjultan, Thanks for Info I am glad I waited and to get some Info, I would never have thought changing a bulb would be that hard!! I think i will forget it and not drive it on foggy nights, Ha Wayne

[maxnix]

Quote »i will forget it and not drive it on foggy nights[/quote] Funny how one usually can't roll back the fog once one is out.

The access is greatly improved on the rack. About 30 min. and $135 from Joe Tesensky for a new housing if the lens is shot like mine was.

[Dinkydow]

Thanks Brian. Best regards. Wayne

[911/Q45]

To change the bulb for the odometer you have to remove the instrument cluster. You start at the console and remove the trim around the shifter by pulling up on the rear of the trim piece. Then just undo Phillips screws and work your way up into the dash. Removing the steering wheel is probably the book way, but I set the wheel full down and out and was able to carefully flex the upper dash trim and remove it after taking the trim off the column around the ignition switch. My bulbs for the odometer were not burned out, the contacts were just dirty and things worked fine after I shined them up. When you reassemble the dash remember to plug all the wires back in, I forgot my clock and got an extra shot of disassemble/ reassemble practice. A bonus is you're now qualified to R&R the HVAC control panel and stereo head unit.

[Dinkydow]

To 911/Q45: Hey Thanks for help on odometer bulb replacement, I think I will find it isn't the bulb on mine to. Once in a while if you thud the plactic over the odometer it will come on and stay on until you shut it off and then when you restart it it is off. You have helped a lot!! Wayne

[deputydriver]

Wayne,

After niavely asking my dealer to change a fog lamp (and getting charged 30 mins labor = $40), I change the next one myself. Just laying on my back in the driveway I was able to complete the job in about 20 mins. Remove the lower cover, reach up and swing out the wire retainer, replace lamp. There shouldn't be any need to remove the entire assembly....

Good luck!

[Dinkydow]

Thanks Steve!! Now that sounds like something I can do. I assume when you say remove the lower cover you mean the cover you have to remove to change oil??? Best regards!! Wayne [email protected]

[deputydriver]

Wayne,

You don't need to remove the entire skid plate. There is a smaller cover with about 6-7 bolts just below each fog lamp. It was about 6 months ago, so the details are foggy (no pun intended!) :pface

I consider myself a "driver" not a "mechanic". I looked it over carefully, proceeded cautiously, and managed to change the bulb without breaking anything. Be careful with the metal clip. Look at the new bulb to help you figure out what's what. Careful not to touch the actual bulb as finger prints can damage the bulb's life (old wives' tale?).

[Dinkydow]

Thanks Steve, I think I will go out tomorrow, If it isn't to cold to work in the garage, and have at it. Thanks Wayne

[maxnix]

Quote »Careful not to touch the actual bulb as finger prints can damage the bulb's life (old wives' tale?).[/quote] Use a paper towel or clean cloth to hold the bulb, or just handle it by its socket.

Any dirt or grease on the bulb of any Halogen lamp can cause it to crack because of uneven heat dispersion.

Removing the fixture to inspect it and or clean it (if you are compulsive) makes installing the bulb much easier. I recommend this because in the few inspections I have done on my lighting, I have noticed cracks in the housings. A little epoxy in time will most likely prevent catastrophic failure in the future, which will usually occur on a dark and rainy night when the fixture fills with water and shorts.

Whatever Nissan's engineering and manufacturing abilities, they do not seem to have mastered plastic lamp housings by 1995.

[Dinkydow]

Brian, Thanks for advice! Wayne