dome light problem

[millis]

After 32 years I again have a 240Z. Many things forgotten over the years. The latest challenge is how to remove the lens on the dome light. Should be a simple thing, but it's proving to be a chore and I don't want to take the Bubba approach and break the lens. What's the trick to remove it. Please, no jokes about how many Z owners does it take to change a bulb. Thanks.

millis

[abas]

Hi welcome to the club, hopefully you will post some pictures of your new car into your gallery :classic:

You must remove the dome light from the car first. pry it out gently from the overhead trim with a screwdriver or flat knife. Then bend the tabs up on one side of the chrome surround. The chrome bit should then slide off and the plastic light lense should then fall out as it is only held in by the chrome surround.

hope it helps

Andrew

[millis]

What I'm trying to do is change the light bulb. Seems like I should be able to pop the lens out without disturbing the chrome trim ring, but maybe not.

millis

[MikeW]

You just pull the whole thing out. It's very easy as there are no fasteners. It just pops into place.

[millis]

Sorry to be so thick, but when you say pop the whole thing out are you meaning the whole light assembly or just the lens.

Doc

[abas]

You need to extract the whole light unit from the overhead trim. You will then see the bulb inside the dome light which is then easy to replace.

Andrew

[millis]

All fixed. Thanks for the help guys.

Doc

[dogma420]

Has anyone done anything to improve the dome light at all for a Z?

My 72 (and the other 2 240z's I've owned) even when the light is new and the plastic cleaned, have not had enough light to do squat with (other than say hey, its not pitch black!)

Also, any stories on doing the door switches (renovating them) so the dome turns on when you open a door?

Take care guys,

[ChrisA]

Has anyone done anything to improve the dome light at all for a Z?

This is on my to do list: Get some Clear Alumilite and some of their RTV silicone and make a mold of the white lens then cast one in clear. I would think it would be brighter. I also plan to insert some kind of reflector behind the bulb. But like I said, its on the to do list. I have thought of mounting a #912 bulb in the housing as they are super bright but I havent worked out the wiring yet. Most of these things are my winter projects when I'm snowed in. I'll try and post tech articles when I get them done.

Chris

[MikeW]

Also, any stories on doing the door switches (renovating them) so the dome turns on when you open a door?

I ended up buying two new switches. They're hard to find, unfortunately. I'd check and make sure you don't have a wiring problem first. You can disconnect the driver's side door switch up under the dash and simply connect the two wires together which will bypass the switch and should turn on the light.

[Inf]

There must be some switch from another car that will fit and be cheaper i would guess? Seems pretty simple, and almost all cars have them

[jszarecki]

i sorta have the same issue. I replaced my bulb, but it doesnt turn on...the fuses are good. any suggestions?