Aw, now I've mucked it up

[DeeGee]

I have a leak in one of the front marker lights. OK, I thought, a while ago I bought all new marker lights, so I'll just replace the bad one, and it's mate, as they failed light was not the center. Well, how the dickens do you remove the old one? I took the lens off, cleaned away the caulk, and can't get it out. I managed to break the white plastic base of the old light, but it's still solidly in there. What's the trick? I must replace both lights today as more rain is on the way.

[C310]

When I replaced mine what they had done was put a big and I mean big glob of silicone from the inside. All I was able to do was pull and cut the silicone to get it out. You probably have the same.

Steve

[DeeGee]

I have only about a quarter inch of wire showing, if that. I've been trying to pull some more slack with some needle-nose pliers, to no avail. It looks like there is an indentation in the fiberglass nose cap. There is a 1" hole in the middle for the wires, full of caulk, and two dabs of caulk where the screws go.

[brobox]

Take a sharp knife or a razor knife and cut the silicone caulking away from the light. When you get to the wires, cut a square plug around the wires leaving the 1 inch hole silicone plug in place. I used a razor knife, finishing the cut with a pocket knife. Don't worry about breaking the light getting it off, it's already broken.

It's easy to remove the silicone after the light is removed, it will peel off.

Pull the wires out enough to make the splice. The small square is much easier to seal with silicone than the 1 inch hole.

[Old Car Nut]

I recommend using solder connections for the extensions and watertight shrink tube. Short of that you can use hot glue to waterproof the connections and prevent shorting. You will never have a gremlin this way.

[DeeGee]

Originally Posted by Old Car Nut

I recommend using solder connections for the extensions and watertight shrink tube. Short of that you can use hot glue to waterproof the connections and prevent shorting. You will never have a gremlin this way.

I'm racing the sunset now. If I can get this done, it'll be splices and extreme tape for now, plus caulk.

[johnnyreno]

you can use small wire nut and fill the open end with silicone done deal.

[DeeGee]

Well, the sun won. The wires on the light were spiraled through the caulk plug. I could not cut a small amount out, nor indeed cut much stuff all. I had to dig nibbles with a screwdriver and needlenose pliers. Ended up removing most of the caulk, and splicing in the new light is going to have to wait until the next sunny weekend. Might be in April, the way things are going here.

[brobox]

I found if I pulled the wires tight to one side, the silicone stretched on the other side and cut easy with a new blade in the razor knife. The razor knife would not go deep enough into the silicone plug so I pushed a thin blade sharp pocket knife through the rest of the way. Once through, the square plug was stuck to the wire and pulled right out. Hope the next one goes easier.

[brobox]

Watching FOX news being broadcast from Simi Valley (Reagan Library) right now.....the weather is perfect there for changing the marker lights.

[DeeGee]

You got it. I'm working in Moorpark, close to the Reagan Library. I can see it out my office window. It's about 75 and sunny today. But I'm in the office. Working. Gah.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Old Car Nut

I recommend using solder connections for the extensions and watertight shrink tube. Short of that you can use hot glue to waterproof the connections and prevent shorting. You will never have a gremlin this way.

BIG SECOND on this suggestion for long term.

Sounds like you got it off but a 1" putty Knife is a handy tool, I have one , plus some larger ones, and they stick those puppies on with adheasive/sealant, the knife can slice it off if you hit the thing hard enough.

Then lay your own caulk sealant (i have a brand I like to use UNDER the thing) and of course marine grade sealing heat shrink (i'm going to order some soon) is great stuff.

All Electroincs has it featured this month. Cheap.

[brobox]

The maker light connection do not have to be water tight. If water gets to the light connections, there is a much more serious problem.....the ceiling will be soaked. There are many factory wires in that area including all of the inverter wiring and plugs, none of those connections are water tight.