My dashboard light came on, alerting me that a light was out. I thought it was that ANNOYING bulb from the right rear again, that I thought I fixed once and for all, but it wasn't that one, so I had to keep searching.

Incidentally, if any of you have that annoying bulb problem, you can fix it "once and for all" (maybe), by pulling the little tab at the bottom where the bulb sits, upward to make better contact on the bulb.

Anyways, I looked at what I thought was every bulb. Finally a friend of mine spotted the problem, it was the bulb in the rear deck brake light.

I thought it'd be easy, and it does look that way. It looks like it simply has a tab on each side that you pull back, to take the back of the light assembly off. I tried to pull the tabs back, expecting the back to come off, but it didn't. I wouldn't mind pulling the tabs harder, but I feel like I'm going to break it, especially if it's plastic (and it may be metal actually).

How do I get to this bulb? Am I at the right spot to change it, and if so, I'm hoping those tabs don't break off.

Please advise.

Thanks,

jeff 1991 300d 166k

You have e-mail.



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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
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Be very careful as you take the 3rd brake lamp apart. The plastic is likely extremely brittle and will turn into dust if you pry too hard.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
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Jeff, I have the same problem on my 87sdl. Please let me know any tricks on getting it apart. thanks, Bobl

The Two Tabs(One on each side) Pull Out GENTLY,GENTLY,GENTLY.
When you push the Cover onto the Light,They kind of "Snick" over
a Ridge built into the side of the Fixture.

There's not enough room to slide even a "Stubby" Flathead underneath
the Lip of the Tab.And you might Flex that Ancient Plastic Tab Too Far.
A Fingernail (Actually Two,One on each side will work)

(Uber Finesse with a Dental Pic with a U on the end.Maybe)

I snapped a Toothpick in half and gently slid one point each under the Lip
Of the Tab,from the Rear,Before moving the Cover forwards.

You'll not need to move the end of the Tab (Facing Away from you,towards the rear of the Chassis) any more than 1-2 MMs "Outwards".
To get it to "Release".

First Picture You're kneeling on the back seat with the Cover Off.
(You can see the Insets,one on each side the Tabs "Snick" into.)
Second Picture is the Cover with the Two Tabs.(On the Sides)
(You're looking Forward into the Cover from the Viewpoint of the Bulb.)

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__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

THANK YOU , Bob

We pulled, and pulled, and pulled on those tabs, finally had to use a screwdriver, and the tabs broke off. Oh well. There was no other way to get that done; the tabs simply have to come out.