Pinto Car Club of America

Just tried to replace my burnt out driver's side tailight bulb. The Haynes manual only covers sedan and wagon bulb replacement, but I thought it would be simple.  :embarrassed:
I removed the plastic cover that goes from the hatch latch to the outer left and I could reach the back up bulb no problem, but there is a metal body part blocking access to the taillight bulb. I can't get my hand in far enough by trying to reach behind the bracket to get a grip on the bulb.
I thought maybe I need to take off the lense, but it seems that there are more than the four nuts I found holding it on. Plus I don't think that would even help?
Do I also need to take off the big side piece of plastic that basically covers the wheel well?

Any thoughts appreciated. This is my daily driver and I need to get this fixed before I get stopped by the police.

Thanks,
Russ

Russ if it doesn't have small square access panel with 1 phillips screw holding it on then you will need to open the aft end of well panel.  Fred   :)

Thanks.
It does have one of those, I didn't think it was for the taillight though since it was "facing" the quarter panel. But I will give it a shot here on my lunch. I just hope it isn't still raining like it was on my break earlier. That made it hard to do anything.

I am at work, and shouldn't even be posting here, but I need to get this done if I can before driving over 30 miles home late at night.

I suppose I need to get a factory service manual also. This stupid Hayne's manual doesn't even list the light bulb sizes. Wish I could at least find a Chilton's. I always had better luck with those.

Thanks,
Russ

Thanks again Fred.
That was it.
Unfortunately, the bulb is corroded in the socket. Since I need to drive the car home, I didn't try to force it, since the brake light and turn signal still work at least.

The socket has been replaced in the past. So looks like I will have to replace it again. Shouldn't be a problem assuming that Advanced Auto or Autozone still sells them. Funny thing is I got talked into buying some socket grease stuff when I bought the new bulbs today. Now I wish the po had used that stuff.

Russ

Russ get back to work break time is over, youre boss  ;D