[Polo1134]

Major PITA trying to install auto shift indicator light into socket. I can get the bulb to go into socket but no room to turn clockwise to set bulb in place. On further investigation the spring in the socket looks off and leaning to the side.

Is there any options besides dismantling the entire steering column to install a simple bulb? Can i get needle nose pliers, rip socket out to splice a new one in?

The bulb that was originally in place had a blue coating and did not look factory original. It was also just sitting on top of the socket and not locked into place. Maybe previous owners tried to force it in.

This should not be that difficult. Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

[JEEPFELLER]

I have no clue as to how the socket is set up in the column.

I did not investigate it in further in a factory manual (see my signature at the bottom)

It would be my GUESS that it might be set up like other single element bulb sockets.

Many times I have seen the "plate" missing/ broken out of larger sockets similar to the pic you

posted. The same thing with the spring happens, it bends off of center within the socket.

The pic I'm posting below may NOT be for the same size socket in the column, this may be a bigger part.

It may not be like/ for a smaller socket either!

Heck, I may be 100% off base!!!

See if it looks this way in the manual (It's late, and I reckon I'm too lazy to look myself!)

------JEEPFELLER

 

[Cubsfan79]

At work we have to change small bulbs in places where you can't get your fingers in to turn the bulb. I use a piece of flexible tygon tubing that just fits over the end of the bulb. It holds it tight enough to press in and turn the bulb then pull it off easily when done. Worth a shot, good luck.

 

[Polo1134]

Any b

I have no clue as to how the socket is set up in the column.

I did not investigate it in further in a factory manual (see my signature at the bottom)

It would be my GUESS that it might be set up like other single element bulb sockets.

Many times I have seen the "plate" missing/ broken out of larger sockets similar to the pic you

posted. The same thing with the spring happens, it bends off of center within the socket.

The pic I'm posting below may NOT be for the same size socket in the column, this may be a bigger part.

It may not be like/ for a smaller socket either!

Heck, I may be 100% off base!!!

See if it looks this way in the manual (It's late, and I reckon I'm too lazy to look myself!)

------JEEPFELLER

View attachment 4154489
[/QUOTE

I have no clue as to how the socket is set up in the column.

I did not investigate it in further in a factory manual (see my signature at the bottom)

It would be my GUESS that it might be set up like other single element bulb sockets.

Many times I have seen the "plate" missing/ broken out of larger sockets similar to the pic you

posted. The same thing with the spring happens, it bends off of center within the socket.

The pic I'm posting below may NOT be for the same size socket in the column, this may be a bigger part.

It may not be like/ for a smaller socket either!

Heck, I may be 100% off base!!!

See if it looks this way in the manual (It's late, and I reckon I'm too lazy to look myself!)

------JEEPFELLER

View attachment 4154489

At work we have to change small bulbs in places where you can't get your fingers in to turn the bulb. I use a piece of flexible tygon tubing that just fits over the end of the bulb. It holds it tight enough to press in and turn the bulb then pull it off easily when done. Worth a shot, good luck.

Great tip! I will try that. Still think the ballast spring is leaning a little but worth a shot.

 

[Mister4x4]

Wow - what year is yours? Mine's an '80, and I just rebuilt this column out of an '80 Laredo (swapping from manual to automatic - long story), and this is how the bulb on mine mounts up (as part of the retainer clip that secures the bezel).

 

[Polo1134]

Wow - what year is yours? Mine's an '80, and I just rebuilt this column out of an '80 Laredo (swapping from manual to automatic - long story), and this is how the bulb on mine mounts up (as part of the retainer clip that secures the bezel).
View attachment 4154568

View attachment 4154569

Mine's an 1985. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[scottyDive]

Any luck? I need to replace mine and it also has the blue cover over it that is falling apart. I have not removed anything yet but was wondering if a blue led equivalent would work. What bulb did you use???

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

 

[Polo1134]

Any luck? I need to replace mine and it also has the blue cover over it that is falling apart. I have not removed anything yet but was wondering if a blue led equivalent would work. What bulb did you use???

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Had trouble removing light bulb. I tried rubber tubing over the bulb to try and get a grip to remove but no luck. I ended up breaking the bulb and removed it with a pair of needle nose. In doing so I bent the tabs on the light socket the blulb goes into. I'm going to just live without the light. I figure if I ever get the Jeep exactly the way I want it and that's the last thing that's broken I will just pay someone to fix it. Good luck.

 

[scottyDive]

Just to add to this. I took a ba9 led light in white and I had rubber covers left over from a triple gauge set I used on a tractor install. One of the covers was blue and it fit perfectly over the led light. As an added bonus the led bulbs are much less fragile than the 1893 original bulb are make it easier to remove and install

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk