2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Changing interior light bulp

[3grumpy]

I have a 2002 Dodge 2500. How do you change the overhead interior light bulb? Its the one you can turn off and on by pushing the light. I've been pulling my hair out trying to get to it. Thanks for a great forum

 

[CSnyder]

Under the sunglass holder or the garage opener holder is a couple screws you take out and then you slide the whole unit backwards until it comes free and you drop it down to expose the bulb sockets. Warning it may feel tight to slide back just use common sense when pulling it and you will be fine. the front of the unit has two tongue style clips that slide into the interior sheet metal and hold it up. Hope this helps, Chris

 

[ViperJay]

After you get it out as noted above, You'll still need to remove the housing behind the lens's to get to the bulbs. Be VERY gentle when removing the screws that mount this housing, be even MORE GENTLE when putting them back in, the bosses crack way to easily. If you crack the boss, the next time you push on the light, you'll push it out. The best way to put screws back into plastic is to turn them backwards with light pressure until you feel them "click", then thread them in forward... . this is a trick to thread the screw into the threads it cut the first time it was installed.



Ever wonder why so many of us are buying consoles to replace ours I can thank my trucks previous owner for mutilating my overhead console. LOL



Even the replacement I bought had one cracked boss, just from the poor boss design that was not able to handle the stress induced by the screw. There are special screws designed to lower these stresses, but a proper boss still will not crack even with the wrong type screw.



If you are into JB Weld, a little (not to much or it will not fit into the housing guide boss) around to the OD of the screw boss before reinstalling the screws should shore it up for the duration



P. S. Never ask a simple question to a Mechanical Engineer