The subject pretty well sums it up: I was driving late yesterday evening and heard a fairly loud "thump" along the driver's side front. Initially I thought nothing of it, and because I was in a hurry I didn't stop right away. Then, later in the evening noticed my left turn signal was blinking like twice as fast as it should be.

Turns out, the entire driver's side parking light assembly is GONE!! (except for a little bit of plastic still held on by the retaining screw...) I probably had the thing loosened while I was installing my Cibie Euro lights, and I must not have gotten the two tabs seated correctly under the flanges.

I guess I have a few questions, including "what do I do now?", "What can I do to make sure the next one doesn't fly off also," is there a chance that my old assembly is still intact, 12 hours after smashing onto I-78 at speed, does anyone have a spare/used one from a parts car, how much for a "new" one (shudder)?? Any help greatly appreciated.

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

I just found a picture of one of these on Ebay. I think I figured out what happened, too. Apparently, one of the tabs broke off while I was wiggling the parking light, trying to get the headlight door off before installing the headlamps. I found the tab but didn't know where it belonged. So, either the other tab didn't go in quite right, or it won't hold with just one. Oh well. If I don't get this one on Ebay, I'll have to get a new one.

[Edited by Robert W. Roe on 04-29-2001 at 10:21 PM]

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

Junkyard parts are usually good

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking suspiciously at the left front headlight assembly. I think there's at least one screw missing that should hold the thing on. I'm afraid to force it too much because it is 17 year old plastic.

Can I purchase just the speed nut (or whatever) that would hold the "steel part" of the car to the headlight assembly? The right side is firmly bolted on (although the headlight moves inside the assembly), but the left assembly moves quite a bit. It amazes me how much stuff has to come off (especially how brittle it is) just to change the headlight.

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

Dear Sirs,
A woman ran into my car and I have to replace the right front light assembly. How is this done? I also learned thhat there are three different light assemblies for a 1989 420 sel. I am a lady but this website has really helped me.I no longer go to a mechanic without knowledge. Thanks!

The 1986 and newer cars are a bit different than my 1984.
Your owner's manual might have a section on replacing the headlight; that should get you at least halfway to total disassembly/removal.
On mine I had to first remove the electrical connectors, then the side marker lamps, then 3 or 4 screws .... I forget if you have to remove the headlight doors first; it's been a few years.
I don't recall the SD giving me too many problems; the W126 gives you some room to work, unlike one or two of the 124's screws, which are a real bear to get started.

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic