Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2023 20:53:35 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: LED backup lights update
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6=ou2Zvwgey=htx9S4x3+PFM6A9gKNWjZCY0d9VvKD_Lw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Dan,
I can’t see the diagram.
If you are asking how to seperate the front of the rear light assembly from the back part that holds the bulbs then simply undo the for outside screw and pull the light out toward you. On. The back on the left and right short sides are tabs that you press and they release the back bulb holder from the front section. Memory says they push toward the middle. To put back together I think they will basically snap back into place. It may not be obvious. One of mine was broken because clearly someone tried to pry it apart when simply pushing the tab would have released it.
I learned how to do this to change a burned out bulb from folks on this list 10 years ago.
I hope this helps, or sorry for not understanding the question.
Eric Caron
> On Feb 18, 2023, at 8:32 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> my problem is to remove the #1 from the #2 on this diagram... uhhh...
>
> https://www.vwpartsvortex.com/v-1989-volkswagen-vanagon--syncro--2-1l-h4-gas/electrical--tail-lamps
>
> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 5:19 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
>> Ahhh, previous owner....now that makes sense....well intentioned of
>> course! But lens is on the outside, the reflector and bulbs are on the
>> inside. Heck....I haven't disassembled mine in 3 years or more, so kind of
>> foggy on the details, others will chime in. If original, a no-brainer. So
>> there is something funny going on in your situation.
>>
>> On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 05:08:09 PM PST, Dan N <
>> dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Yes... the taillight assembly. There are 2 parts - the black plastic bulb
>> holder, the colored plastic assembly with the reflector glued to it. I
>> can't remove the reflector to clean or improve it. It seems to me it's
>> glued together either by the factory or the previous owner.
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 4:53 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> You mean....on the taillight assembly? These just come apart....like when
>> replacing bulbs. I must not be understanding the question. Helpful hint:
>> do a thorough job of cleaning light bulb sockets with steel wool; next,
>> apply a thin coating of Vaseline on both light bulb and socket, this will
>> prevent corrosion for years to come. Works every time.
>>
>> On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 04:44:08 PM PST, Dan N <
>> dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> sooo I have a question... How do you separate the silver reflector from the
>> colored lens?
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 4:26 PM Pete Sicilia <pete@coffeepot.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Sounds like a great idea. I'll just have to clean off the krazy glue and
>>> duck tape first 🤣
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023, 4:09 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> For repair, you can go a long way with 2 part Epoxy Putty. Slice off
>> a
>>>> hunk, knead it, apply it, form it. All surfaces super clean with
>> Rubbing
>>>> Alcohol before you attempt of course, but you will be surprised by your
>>>> cleverness and workmanship. This stuff has abundant uses around
>> Vanagon.
>>>> Especially old brittle plastic parts.
>>>>
>>>> On Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 03:59:16 PM PST, Jim Felder <
>>>> jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I don't remember where, I guess busdepot.com, but I bought brand new
>>>> replacement lenses a few years back for a reasonable price. If you are
>>>> trying to replace the molded plastic tray with bulb holders, that might
>>> be
>>>> more difficult.
>>>>
>>>> Jim
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 5:42 PM Pete Sicilia <pete@coffeepot.org>
>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Well I finally finished the aluminum tape around my led backup
>> bulbs. I
>>>> had
>>>>> done one side a few weeks ago and did the other side today.
>>>>>
>>>>> Everything was easy until the very end today. As it turns out, my
>> fears
>>>>> about cracking old plastic were well founded.
>>>>>
>>>>> I meticulously cleaned and taped all around the lens housing and
>> behind
>>>> the
>>>>> bulb and as I was giving the entire housing one last cleaning with
>>> simple
>>>>> green, the whole thing slipped/shot out of my hands and cracked on
>> the
>>>>> pavement... snapping off the retaining tabs.
>>>>>
>>>>> I got down on my hands and knees and fished the housing and the
>> broken
>>>>> parts out from under my wife's Touareg, cleaned them again and
>> applied
>>>>> first krazy glue, then some strategic strips of duck tape for
>>>>> reinforcement. I waited a few mins, then carefully clipped the light
>>>>> assembly into the housing and reinstalled everything.
>>>>>
>>>>> Everything is working for now... but man I sure have a way of
>> snatching
>>>>> defeat from the jaws of victory sometimes
>>>>>
>>>>> In related news, does anyone have an extra right tail light lens
>>> assembly
>>>>> that they'd be willing to part with?
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 8:48 AM Pete Sicilia <pete@coffeepot.org>
>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you have any particular brand of tape you recommend? Or is
>> Amazon
>>>>>> cheapo sufficient?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1PCS Premium Silver Aluminum Tapes (3.9Mils), 2'*65 Feet Foil Tape,
>>>> Metal
>>>>>> Insulation Tape, Heavy Duty Duct Tape with Adhesive Backing for Hot
>>>> Cold
>>>>>> Air HVAC Ductwork, Dryer Vent, Heat Resistant, Repair
>>>>>> https://a.co/d/hILxB3m
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've never opened up the light casing. Are there any things to look
>>> out
>>>>>> for? I'm a little leery of cracking old plastic.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>> Pete
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, Jan 26, 2023, 12:19 PM Jim Arnott <jrasite@eoni.com>
>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Someone asked for pictures so I opened up a tail light. Delete
>> the
>>>> pop
>>>>>>> bottle. Line the backup light window with alunim air conditioning
>>>> tape.
>>>>>>> Install big, bright LED. Put it back together. Might take you an
>>> hour
>>>>>>> including the time in the hardware store buying the tape.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ranks right up there with changing the engine to an I4 as far as
>>>>>>> improvements go. BIG improvement.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jim
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Years ago, I bought a couple 6 LED external light to use as
>> backup
>>>>>>> lights. Then I read a post about fixing the existing lights. It
>> was
>>>>> fairly
>>>>>>> simple. I used the below mentioned LEDs and then created a
>> reflector
>>>>> using
>>>>>>> a 16 oz plastic soda bottle lined with aluminum air conditioning
>>> tape
>>>>> and
>>>>>>> fit it into the stock tail light assy. NOW I can see backing up.
>>> Took
>>>>> about
>>>>>>> an hour and worth every second of time invested.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jim
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 9:18 AM, Pete Sicilia <pete@COFFEEPOT.ORG>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In related news, I just upgraded my back up lights (1156) to
>>>> these...
>>>>>>>>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H54SP6O
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> So far so good... although I'm always on the lookout for
>> brighter
>>>>>>> options.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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