Quote:
Originally Posted by mangomike
Q,,2.. We are doing some deep cleaning and can't figure out how to get the lens off the little reading lamps in the back of our 2008 RT popular210. any ideas????
Michael
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I saved this a long time ago and followed it for our 07C210P, with no trouble.
Thanks for the photos. How did you gain access to the bulbs in the
spot lights? I can't seem to get the outside cover off.
The spots are very tough to get apart without breaking the lock
tabs. I broke some parts, but it didn't matter because I had to
modify them anyway and put them back together with silicone.
If you just want to change bulbs, you can take the center part off
(the part with the lens). It has two holding tabs, 180 degrees
apart. If you look at the lamp, it has the lens piece and under it
a slotted area where it attaches to the piece under it. If you take
a small screwdriver, you can pry the two pieces apart slightly by
using the slotted areas. Only go a little bit, just enough to find
the spot where the tabs are. Mark the spots with a pencil, and then
take the fine blade screwdriver, at the spot of one of the tabs (it
will be between slots so it will be harder to get in), and push it
straight in between the two pieces. Push in to help release the
tab, and twist the screwdriver slightly to push the pieces apart.
This was the only way I got them apart without breaking the tabs,
and may break them anyway. If you just pry the lens piece out, it
will break the tabs. The good part is, you can stick it back in with
silicone. I have no idea why they made these so tough to get apart;
there is no excuse for it. I would also expect they will get much
more brittle with age, as they run very hot. Ours have not been
used much, but they were already pretty badly discolored from the
heat of the halogen bulbs.
If you are going to convert the lamp, or want to take it out so you
don't have to work on it over your head, it is pretty easy. The
outer ring is held on by 3 tabs, one at the switch and the others at
120 degrees from that. If you pinch the ring at 90 degrees to the
tab you are trying to release (the switch one is easiest), you can
use any bent tool like a brake tool or even a spoon to pry it off.
Under the ring are 3 screws you remove and the lamp is free. Pull
out the wires from the roof, and unplug the two connectors. Once
you get it on the bench it is easier to work on.