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Stumped
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2007
14:05:41

Subject: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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One of my front turn signal bulbs is out and I can't figure out for the life of me how to get the damn thing out of the housing to change the bulb. It's a 2002 model. I took a look and there's a plastic housing that sits right behind the casing that holds the bulbs...so when you try to turn the bulb socket to pull it out of the casing, there's not enought clearance because of the plastic piece.
Can anyone let me know how to do this simple bulb change??? I don't want to take it to the stealership to change a light bulb - that would be embarassing!!
Thanks guys!



boomer
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2007
15:56:40

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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there should be a small star or allen screw between the bottom of the headlight and the top of the parking light lens. unscrew that and pull the whole parking light assembly out, it should slide right out. then you can see how to take the bulb out the housing. at least thats how it is on my '98.



Stumped
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2007
17:22:49

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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I think it's all one piece (no gap between the two) but I will double check.



boomer
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2007
11:58:55

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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if you're not the first owner its possible someone changed out the stock corner and headlights with a one piece. i actually bought some of those but I have to wait to get my new bumper. you might be able to reach under the bumper and feel for the sockets, you should just be able to turn them about 90 degrees and come right out.



Stumped
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2007
15:11:34

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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I'm not the oringnal owner but they're stock. I looked and there is a gap, but no where near big enough to get a screwdriver in there. However, when I was driving today, the bulb miraculously started working again!! So for now, I need not worry!! But I'm just thinking that the fillament is loose/broken, and a bump jolted it back into contact today, so who knows how long it'll last.



Still Stumped
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2007
20:31:01

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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K..took a look today. All I see is one small torx head screw by the side marker (between the headlamp and parking lamp). But it looks like the parking light assembly clicks into the headlamp assembly.
Anyone had to remove their lights to change a bulb? How the hell did you do it!!! This is crazy...should be a simple fix.



GB2000
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1/22/2007
02:37:23

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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There's 1 or 2 torx head screws between the lamps...you remove those screws and then you can pull the turn signal/parking light out. It does kinda clip in there, but if you pull on it/wiggly it around gently it'll pop out pretty easily. I believe it just pulls straight out. If nobody else replies tomorrow I'll go out and see how many torx screws there are and see how exactly it comes out...I'm thinking just the one right on the front side (of the truck). It prolly took me half an hour tops to install my clear corners and that includes splicing in the new sockets for the bulbs. Oh, and make sure you don't overtighten that screw when you put it on...when I swapped my stock ones for my clear corners, I barely overtightened it and cracked the damn thing.



Kowalski
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1/22/2007
07:44:52

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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A filament is a very fine wire, and once broken will never reattach and work again. Could be loose in the base, corroded base, or wiring problem somewhere along the way.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

Thanks
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2007
10:13:32

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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Thanks GB2000 I'll try undoing that torx screw and see if I can pull it out. The signal is working again though...weird.
Kowalski...I know what you mean about the filament, if it were a bad base or a wiring problem, then I'm assuming the lower level light wouldn't work either. The parking light works, it's just the brighter level that causes the flash that doesn't work at times. Two filaments in the bulb, I'm thinking the bright one is having some conectivity issues. Anyhow...if I can get the damn thing out, I'll change it anyways, only couple bucks for a new bulb.



Kowalski
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1/22/2007
12:20:30

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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Those two filaments are fed by different wires though; otherwise they'd both light up at the same time. Also, one contact could be bad, and not the other. That's why your assumption is very questionable...

Good luck !

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

BigEd
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1/22/2007
15:56:28

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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I had a problem with my right rear break lite and turn signal. It worked at times and not at others. Found out it was the combination flasher mounted under the dash, on the driver side of the stearing column.



dakko
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2007
08:16:40

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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sometimes a filament breaks but hangs there. so if you go over a bump it touches and works then it doesn't - replace it -----
eventually it won't work at all



Biged
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1/23/2007
16:06:40

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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After you replace it, if it does it again, I'd bet good money its the combination flasher under the dash.



little jer
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2007
17:52:00

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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This is funny. Some one asks how to change a light bulb and gets tons of replies. I ask how to replace a wiper motor and get squat. I guess they just know the easy stuff lol



Biged
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1/23/2007
19:33:44

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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Does little jer stand for little jerk????

I just happend on this thread because I have had a simalar problem with my turn signal lite therefore I replyed. I'm sure if you did a search on the site, you'd find an old post pertaining to your wiper motor problem.



little jer
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2007
20:51:49

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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think so? Well I may try that. But no need to be, er, jerky about it. It's not the first question i've not received a reply to. I try to chime in with other people's questions. "sob" , it hurts when I'm ignored. Boo hoo hoo. Anyone have a hanky? Snort snort. Ahh, that's better.



little jer
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2007
20:54:20

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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oops, guess you can't do a search unless you're a paying member. Drat!



Biged
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1/23/2007
21:37:39

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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OOps your right, u gotta pay to search. I did look some of the "wiper motor" threads for you, I saw alot of dealer recalls on the wiper motor. Nothing about how to change it. Sorry!!!!



little jer
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2007
22:39:59

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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recalls? Really? But then again, what hasn't been recalled on Dakotas or Durangos? lol So far the ball joints and tranny are hanging in there so I guess this is minor. A little Rain-ex on the windows until I get a new motor will suffice for now. Or I can just drive my Dakota instead of my Durango. By the way, that Rain-ex works pretty well. Water just runs off like on a well waxed car and doesn't bead up. I can actually drive in the rain with no problem. Downside is you have to reapply it every so often.



GB2000
GenIII
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1/24/2007
05:15:54

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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I LOVE RainX/Rainex/however it's spelled...stuff works like a charm. And it sucks when you forget to apply it and then you end up driving into a huge downpour.

Here's the info on your wiper motor assembly in case I can't find your thread on it...I'll post it there too once I find it.

http://www.blackshireserver.net/images/wipermotor.jpg

Oh yeah...for non-member searches... http://mark.dodgedakotas.com




little jer
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2007
10:02:50

RE: Front turn Singnal - how to change bulb
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Thanks GB. Becoming a member is something I would consider if there weren't so many flamers and trollers here.



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