Argosy porch light

[RV H-D Lady]

Anyone have any luck removing and reinstalling a light bulb over the entrance door on a 1976 Argosy? My hands aren't huge, but there just isn't enough room to get in there and twist the bulb out. The only option I see is to remove two screws at the bottom, (one of which is really rusted) and remove the whole light cover, replace the bulb, then reinstall and recaulk the cover. Seems like a design flaw to me!!!!!

[ALANSD]

try grabbing it with fingers in a rubber glove for traction

[bobberfrog]

i used a long nose(needle nose) pliers to turn and pulled out the light bulb on my 79 argosy. It c ame right out. When i put the new one in, I had to put light pressure on the bulb with one hand(finger) and turn with the needle nose pliers(a few little turns). make sure the light is off before you do it just in case the light breaks.

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by bobberfrog

i used a long nose(needle nose) pliers to turn and pulled out the light bulb on my 79 argosy. It c ame right out. When i put the new one in, I had to put light pressure on the bulb with one hand(finger) and turn with the needle nose pliers(a few little turns). make sure the light is off before you do it just in case the light breaks.

I tried some needle-nose pliers, but they weren't long enough. I'll look for some longer ones if ALANSD's rubber glove trick doesn't work. Thanks!!

[Lothlorian]

I took the whole porch light out. I think the cover was held to the trailer by three screws. I was able to replace the socket because my 1973 was all rust. It took me about 30min.

Brian

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by Lothlorian

I took the whole porch light out. I think the cover was held to the trailer by three screws. I was able to replace the socket because my 1973 was all rust. It took me about 30min.

Brian

Rust could be a problem with mine too. If I get the bulb replaced and it still doesn't work looks like replacing the socket will be another project. = )

[Bex]

I think I would tend to go the remove the whole thing route, then you can be satisfied its got new screws, wiring is good (test before putting fixture back) and re-caulked.
Probably won't take as long to do as you have already spent on it.

Bex

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by Bex

I think I would tend to go the remove the whole thing route, then you can be satisfied its got new screws, wiring is good (test before putting fixture back) and re-caulked.
Probably won't take as long to do as you have already spent on it.

Bex

I got the bulb out using the rubber glove method. I tested the bulb in another socket. The bulb worked. But now I can't get one of the rusted screws out of the fixture (there's only two screws holding the cover). I'm treating it with some spray to help with the rust, but it's stubborn!! Not many of my projects went well today. But there's one bright spot - the 120 degrees in the shade days seem to be over in Phoenix, at least for 6 months or so. = )

[Bex]

I guess you might need to drill it out then.
Could be just a busted wire or bad ground perhaps.
Maybe the switch?

Bex

[Ganglin]

Try hitting it in the center with a nail set a couple times to break it loose. If that fails - you may need a little more persuasion:

File:ImpactDriverWithBits.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by Ganglin

Try hitting it in the center with a nail set a couple times to break it loose. If that fails - you may need a little more persuasion:

File:ImpactDriverWithBits.png - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll try the nail set. Thanks!!

[RV H-D Lady]

I bought a drill bit and a screw extractor. First the head broke off of the rusted scew. Then the extractor broke off in the rusted screw. I found the third screw, up on top of the light cover. It's just as stubborn as the other stubborn one. I'm beginiing to think I really don't need a porch light. = )

[Bex]

Thats the big learning curve is it not? 2 minutes to do the actual job and 1-15 hours of prep time
If you mess up the holes getting the screws out, can you just drill new holes, should be ok if they are under a cover? Or use larger replacement self threading screws. (That suggestion is as much a question as a suggestion, anybody?)

Bex

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by Bex

Thats the big learning curve is it not? 2 minutes to do the actual job and 1-15 hours of prep time
If you mess up the holes getting the screws out, can you just drill new holes, should be ok if they are under a cover? Or use larger replacement self threading screws. (That suggestion is as much a question as a suggestion, anybody?)

Bex

Bex, looks like my next move is to try to drill out the screw extractor. I've been warned to expect several broken drill bits.

[Bex]

I have lost count on broken drill bits. Too heavy handed. Busted another one a couple of days ago trying to drill out the rivets for the struts on my truck canopy. Another project that (in theory) should have been just a few minutes and turned into an hour or so

[sierrajb]

You may consider using a small cutoff or a Dremel to grind the heads of the screws flush to the light cover. That will allow the freedom to lightly twist the cover off, leaving enough of the screw to where you can get a small pair of vise grips on it to unscrew it. This process worked for me. Be sure to put a good bead of sealant around the cover and in any barren holes to avoid water seeping into the cabin.

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by sierrajb

You may consider using a small cutoff or a Dremel to grind the heads of the screws flush to the light cover. That will allow the freedom to lightly twist the cover off, leaving enough of the screw to where you can get a small pair of vise grips on it to unscrew it. This process worked for me. Be sure to put a good bead of sealant around the cover and in any barren holes to avoid water seeping into the cabin.

Thanks sierrajb. That makes a lot of sense.

[Lance M]

Hi, I was wondering if you had gotten your porch light off? Here's a link to my thread where I took mine off and re built it.
1972 International Ambassador - Page 3 - Airstream Forums

[RV H-D Lady]

Update!! The last rusted screw has been removed. = ) After the upcoming rain storm I will remove the light cover, replace the socket, replace everything else and hopefully have a functioning porch light.

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses.

[RV H-D Lady]

Originally Posted by pb379_2010

Hi, I was wondering if you had gotten your porch light off? Here's a link to my thread where I took mine off and re built it.
1972 International Ambassador - Page 3 - Airstream Forums

Thanks Lance for the link to your porch light adventure. I'm hoping for a successful ending also.