Door panel courtesy lights

[GTOger]

The courtesy lights on my 1990 ZR-1 are looking tired. The black paint is cracking/flaking on the inside, so it looks old and nasty with the light coming through the cracked places. Structurally, it's perfect. This is just a cosmetic thing. So I got some black model paint and some itty-bitty brushes thinking I'd touch it up. I managed to pop one out of the door panel, and now can't figure out what to do with it. The manual is pretty good at keeping this a secret. So I need some help / advice, if you'd be so kind. The smoked plastic lens snaps out with a little gentle force from a screwdriver. No problem. But it seems there is another piece that fits inside the smoked lens, and THAT is the part that is painted black. 2 wires go into the black painted piece, and from what I can tell, it's friction-mounted or maybe snapped into the smoked lens. The wires are not on a plug. Or at least, they don't seem to be. It looks like they are molded into the black painted piece. Any ideas on how this assembly actually fits together, and more importantly in my case, how can it be pulled apart without destruction? TIA for any assistance!

[GTOger]

Update: I got the assemblies out of the doors and onto my desk. Now I just have to figure out how to separate the 2 pieces. I've figured out one is just the smoked lens and the other is the LED diffuser that makes the orange/red glow when the headlights are on. I can't seem to get them un-mated. If / when I get it all figured out, I'll post a procedure w/ pics if I can.

[Schrade]

I can get a blade between the lens and the backing in 2 places, and can hear adhesive stretching.

Try a petroleum solvent to soften the adhesive. I think the plastic will crack before it gives...

If it breaks on ya' there, I've got 2 from my Cognac -> Black interior conversion...

[GTOger]

Thanks, Schrade! I did use a little knife to work around the edges. There is definately a trick to it but eventually I was able to pop the inner part out using just SLIGHTLY more force than I thought would be safe. Apparently the old plastic isn't as brittle as I feared and it came apart nicely. Now I have the lenses washed up and sparkly and have been applying new paint to the inner parts. I'll have it back together tonight. Although.... the lens plastic has bubbled a bit where the courtesy lamp goes. I may consider replacing those old "space heater" bulbs with LEDs.... hmmmm

[GTOger]

In case anybody is interested, I posted a little how-to of what I did. Hopefully that is not inappropriate for this forum.

http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20232

Mods: feel free to move it around if you think there's a better place. Or remove it entirely if it's inappropriate for whatever reason.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by GTOger

In case anybody is interested, I posted a little how-to of what I did. Hopefully that is not inappropriate for this forum.

http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20232

Mods: feel free to move it around if you think there's a better place. Or remove it entirely if it's inappropriate for whatever reason.

I Referenced that Courtesy Light How To in -Solutions- under the Heading INTERIOR.

"How Tos" which have great photos like yours are shown as TIPS in BOLD RED

And.....I can assure you that "How Tos" exactly like yours are most appreciated by the members on this Forum including the Mods

The Mods may even want to Copy the How To for the ZR1NETRegistry TechNet section within the Heading INFORMATION

ALL Links in Bold Red that are underlined are left clickable Links

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by GTOger

In case anybody is interested, I posted a little how-to of what I did. Hopefully that is not inappropriate for this forum.

http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20232

Mods: feel free to move it around if you think there's a better place. Or remove it entirely if it's inappropriate for whatever reason.

Big thanks for this!!!