Changing the bulb in the tail light

I had a brake light bulb burn out in my 2001 Miata. I have been trying to remove the tail light assembly without success. I removed the trunk inside trim and unbolted the two 10mm nuts and screw at the top of the assembly and the rubber wire gasket. The assembly is loose but will not come out. Knowing what the assembly costs, I don't want to just start banging and prying to force it out.

Any suggestions? Am I missing something in the process?

By the way, the manual does not list the bulb number. Is this bulb some sort of Miata only light?

Thanks for any and all help.

Tom, I just removed the tail light assy's on my 2003 and they are the
same.

Look inside where the studs are that the nuts came off from. On the
indoard side, just below the stud there is a black plastic pin. On the
outboard side just out from the stud, is a white plastic pin. The
indoard one is a real guide pin. The outboard one is a socket thata pin
fits into.

Pad the body well and use 2 screw drivers to work the light assy. out of
the locations. (it will help a little to tap on the studs too. Put the
nuts back on the end so you don't damage the studs! ) The white pin is
the hard one. Once you get one of them off, you will see how it works.


Bruce Bing '03 LS

Thanks Bruce, I plan to work on it today. More later.

"BRUCE HASKIN" > wrote in message
...
> Tom, I just removed the tail light assy's on my 2003 and they are the
> same.
>
> Look inside where the studs are that the nuts came off from. On the
> indoard side, just below the stud there is a black plastic pin. On the
> outboard side just out from the stud, is a white plastic pin. The
> indoard one is a real guide pin. The outboard one is a socket thata pin
> fits into.
>
> Pad the body well and use 2 screw drivers to work the light assy. out of
> the locations. (it will help a little to tap on the studs too. Put the
> nuts back on the end so you don't damage the studs! ) The white pin is
> the hard one. Once you get one of them off, you will see how it works.
>
>
> Bruce Bing '03 LS
>

Bruce,

Thanks for the help. It was that white plactic pin that was the hang up.
You were right, once the assembly was off the whole thing was clear. I'm
suprised that there wasn't anything on Miata.net about this procedure or the
bulb number.

I'm still looking for a replacement bulb. However, it was a little late on
Saturday when I started. I will find a auto parts store open tomorrow and
be back in business,

Thanks again.

Tom

"Thomas Misek" > wrote in message
. com...
> Thanks Bruce, I plan to work on it today. More later.
>
> "BRUCE HASKIN" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Tom, I just removed the tail light assy's on my 2003 and they are the
> > same.
> >
> > Look inside where the studs are that the nuts came off from. On the
> > indoard side, just below the stud there is a black plastic pin. On the
> > outboard side just out from the stud, is a white plastic pin. The
> > indoard one is a real guide pin. The outboard one is a socket thata pin
> > fits into.
> >
> > Pad the body well and use 2 screw drivers to work the light assy. out of
> > the locations. (it will help a little to tap on the studs too. Put the
> > nuts back on the end so you don't damage the studs! ) The white pin is
> > the hard one. Once you get one of them off, you will see how it works.
> >
> >
> > Bruce Bing '03 LS
> >
>
>

Glad I could help Tom.

There is a mention of this in the Miata.net, but it is part of the onfo
on how to make the rear reflectors into a lighted unit. (You need to
remove the unit to wire in the new lamp holder) :-) That's how I found
it. I just did that to my 2003.

Bruce Bing '03 LE

I didn't find that listing on Miata.net. However, I am tempted to write one
called, "How Many Miata Owners Does It Take to Change a Tail Light?"

Thanks again.
"BRUCE HASKIN" > wrote in message
...
> Glad I could help Tom.
>
> There is a mention of this in the Miata.net, but it is part of the onfo
> on how to make the rear reflectors into a lighted unit. (You need to
> remove the unit to wire in the new lamp holder) :-) That's how I found
> it. I just did that to my 2003.
>
> Bruce Bing '03 LE
>