85 Illumination bulbs

[Loren L.]

What is the secret to "bulb replacement from the front" - see page 8C-3 of the service manual indicating it can be done - unfortunately, does not tell you how.
Second secret if you are removing the instrument cluster - disconnect the right side electric connections with the "metal retaining clips" The only way I can SEE them is to get OUTSIDE THE CAR and look down through the windishield - my arms are not that long!
Rube Goldberg lived - and designed C4's - I will never complain about the clock location in a mid-year with air conditioning AGAIN.

[Jim T.]

Re: 85 Illumination bulbs

Have done bulb change on my 85 a few times. Very easy. The first feat is to remove the knob from the headlight switch. To be safe some will agree to disconnect the battery neg cable first. Anyway pull out the headlight switch and turn the knob until you can see a cut in the forward area of the plastic knob and insert a small screw driver here to release the knob, then push the stem in or headlights off. I remove the tilt lever for the steering wheel, some say it is not necessary. The flat panel surrounding the tach and speedometer is what you now have to remove. After the screws are out, tilt it back at the top and gently remove it. Now you can see four round metal silver covers. Behind the covers are the four halogen bulbs. Do not use anything but the correct halogen bulb. Using a small screwdriver the covers easily lift off, a fingernail might work. Going at it from the front like this you can only remove the halogen bulb from the socket and replace it with a new one. If you have to replace a socket, this has to be done by removing the assembly and from the rear of the instrument panel. The Delco part number is #11508221 and comes with bulb and socket. I have also bought just the bulb from other than GM. It came in a General Electric part box with the #882 stamped on it. The GE bulbs were purchased from www.lamptech.com. I had a mid year, 64 convertible with air, wish I had it now to experience working on it.

[Loren L.]

Re: 85 Illumination bulbs

Been there - done that, or tried. tried to create clear plastic hose that would hold the new buld, position it and provide a path for a plastic "ram"
to replant the bulb - no success. Frustration quotient increased until I succeeded (bad choice of words) in busting out the bulb base. Now have to remove so that I can start from that end. I am about to have a very large fire............

[Rob Dame]

Re: 85 Illumination bulbs

Its too late now but a pair of thin neddle nose pliers with pieces of vacuum hose pushed onto the jaws of the pliers will grip and hold the bulbs. Rob

[Loren L.]

Re: 85 Illumination bulbs

No, with my talents, that would have just been a way to drop 4 $20 bulbs down into the cluster.