What is this?

[ryan3326]

We have recently purchased our first AS - a 76 Sovereign. Located directly over the door there is a protruding (something?) I am not sure if it is a light or a vent or what. It is shrouded in aluminum and has a white plastic insert in it. It is in a logical place for a light, but it doesn't turn on - so if it is a light I would need to replace the bulb (one of dozens) and I am unsure of how to access the old bulb to replace.
Can anyone "enlighten" me on what this is?

[Minno]

It's a light! There's a bulb up inside behind that palstic lens. Bulb might be burned out, or the socket all corroded (hopefully only a bad bulb).

Chris

[StingrayL82]

And the light switch should be immediately next to the door, inside.

Welcome to the forum!

[Alwhisman]

If yours is the same as mine, there are screws on the top to remove the housing and access the bulb and socket.

I didn't have to worry about it on mine since the leans was gone, but discovered the screws later. I replaced mine with an LED (red).

[ryan3326]

Looks like they have sealed the unit housing down - that is why i hesitated to remove the screws. If I take it off - what sealant is recommended to replace it. It is a grey colored paste it looks like.

[StingrayL82]

I find Parr bond works well, but if you check out Airstream's website, they have a recommendation of which sealant to use where, in their customer service portion of the site.

[Ganglin]

If you remove the two screws at the bottom only - look up from the step - you can lift the leading edge up enough (just a little) to remove the lens. If the sealant is vulkem and in decent shape it may flex enough without breaking the seal. When you lift up slip a thin blade in between the lens and housing to get it started - it doesn't take much to get it out.

You might think about replacing the screws with stainless while your at it.