308 GT4 turn signal bulb replacement? | FerrariChat

308 GT4 turn signal bulb replacement?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Perfusion, Feb 6, 2006.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2004
    Messages:
    4,151
    Location:
    Marietta, GA
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    I'm almost ashamed to ask this...has to be the dumbest "first question" evar. My LR blinker bulb seems to be burnt out. I removed the trim piece that holds the carpeting down, slid the backing plate up and out, and I'm staring at the back of the taillight housing. When I've replaced bulbs in the past, its usually been a "turn 1/4 to the left and pull straight back" kinda deal, like unlocking the bulb from the housing. This little bugger doesn't want to turn left or right, move in or out, and I'm afraid if I get overly aggressive, I'll end up breaking something (unrelated) over a $2 bulb.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Oh...and after I get this bugger out, what bulb should I use to replace it? Neither the owner's manual nor the parts manual is of much help beyond "12V/21W"... A 194, perhaps? That might be too small... Anyway, thanks in advance.

    Aaron
    1979 308GT4
     
  2. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2004
    Messages:
    4,151
    Location:
    Marietta, GA
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    Nobody's changed a taillight or turn signal on a 308GT4?
     
  3. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2004
    Messages:
    4,151
    Location:
    Marietta, GA
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    Figured it out... The bulb is a 1073, should anyone search this thread in the future.
     
  4. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2003
    Messages:
    52,426
    Location:
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    Funny you mention it - haven't noticed any gt4 regulars in a few days - it must be a conspiracy :p

    How did you get it out?
     
  5. dinogt4guy

    dinogt4guy F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2004
    Messages:
    3,411
    Location:
    Hewitt, Tx.
    Full Name:
    Kurtis Fordice
    I've had my GT/4 for allmost 2 years now and I have not had to replace anything yet.( knock on wood) I can look in my repair manual and see what it says but I think that has been allready done. I was waiting to see what someone who has done it had to say.

    Cheers

    DT
    _____________________________________

    There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
     
  6. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2004
    Messages:
    4,151
    Location:
    Marietta, GA
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    I went about it the "long way", but I felt better (i.e., safer) that way. Basically, with the trunk open, the carpet lining that covers the back of the taillights has to be moved out of the way along with an aluminum backing plate that it's attached to (2 screws...simple). After that, you've got a clear view of the back of the taillight and the blinker. In all the U.S. cars I've ever worked on (plus my wife's Jetta), bulbs usually "lock" into place by inserting the bulb through the reflector, and then turning it 1/4 turn to the right to lock it. I tried doing the reverse on the GT4, and the damn thing wouldn't budge. I'm pushing, pulling, turning right, left...nada.

    Rather than running the risk of snapping something and making the situation worse, I decided to just take the thing apart. There were 4 threaded posts around the perimeter of the taillight housing with 7mm nuts snugged down on them, and one in the (almost) center of the housing. I took off the (5) 7mm nuts, and I was able to pull the the taillight/blinker lens straight off the back of the car. Inside it were two *separate*, individual housings - one for the blinker, and one for the taillight. They pull straight out as well...no hardware to remove.

    With the blinker housing in my hand, I was able to position it so that I could work on it more "normally" (vs. being half-in the trunk, upside down, on my head). The actual wiring harness for the bulb just snaps into the housing - to twisting, unlocking, etc. One one side (6 o'clock) of the bulb, there was a small tab and matching groove in the housing. With a very small flathead screwdriver, I gently pried up on the tab, and voila! Out came the bulb/harness from the lens housing. From there, simply press down (in) on the bulb, turn it counterclockwise, and the spring underneath will pop the bulb out towards you.

    Quite simple, actually...I just didn't want to run the risk of breaking that housing or the wiring harness, so I went the "extra-careful" route. It could probably be done without all the muss and fuss of removing the entire taillight lens, but I felt better about it that way.
     
  7. dinogt4guy

    dinogt4guy F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2004
    Messages:
    3,411
    Location:
    Hewitt, Tx.
    Full Name:
    Kurtis Fordice
    Now you are the expert! When the time comes for me to change a bulb I'll be aware of the lil' tab. Otherwise I probably would have given too much of a twist and broke the damn thing! Much better to know the secret that hunting for parts!

    Thanks!

    DT
    _______________________________________________________________

    There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
     

Share This Page