How to replace side stoplight in '97 Toyota Previa?
I'm trying to replace the left-side stoplight in my '97 Toyota Previa. I've gotten the two screws off, and I undestand from the manual that the next step is to pull the taillamp unit backwards, but it won't budge.
I understand from the Chilton's that it is "tough" to pull it out because there are two clips holding it on. But I can't get enough leverage to really pull it hard. There is no good place to grab it.
I've tried digging my fingertips around the front edge, but still wasn't able to budge it.
Any suggestions?
SORRY -- I MEANT '96 TOYOTA PREVIA, NOT '97.
I also tried using one of those rubber grips that are made for opening jars -- I placed it on the side of the unit and pressed against it, and toward the back. That did give me some leverage, but it still wouldn't budge.
I also tried packaging tape -- attaching a length of packaging tape to the lamp unit and pulling on the loose end. That gave me more leverage than the rubber jar opener, but the tape finally broke, and the unit never budged.
PROBLEM SOLVED:
I decided to try again, this time with more tape. I put six lengths of packaging tape on. I was going to do a few more but ran out of tape. Then I sort of loosely rolled the loose ends together to form a rough handle. Then I yanked hard, then really hard, then as
hard as I could -- and finally it popped off!
I replaced the bulb without incident and it's working fine now.
Weirdly, the lamp unit went right back on with almost no effort at all. I was concerned that maybe now it was going to be loose, but I tried pulling it back off with just my hands and was not able to
budge it, so I believe it's okay.
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