LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 The dome light in my car does not work, I was going to check the bulb but I don't see how to remove the chrome ring surrounding the plastic lense. I thought it would have a small screw in it but I don't see one. Before I try to pry it off I thought I would ask someone on here the proper way way to remove it. The car is a 38 Special model 41. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Engle Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 A number of these dome lights are like a twist lock bayonet mount. Try gripping the outer ring and twist counter clockwise. It works on the 32 Buicks. Bob Engle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thanks for the reply Bob, I tried rotating it but it does not move either way. I think it prys off but I wont try that unless I know for sure. I will probably unscrew the dome light switch on the inner door post and see if its getting juice to the switch itself, if it isn't that will have to be fixed before I need to get to the bulb. If it is getting juice then I'll have to get to the bulb. Its the only thing on this car that does not work and although I don't need it I just would like it to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 You might try pushing in (towards the roof before trying to twist. I've encountered several that were just slightly corroded to the mounting ring. What does the shop manual say? When you get the bulb out, see if its contact is a round-headed brass screw, as was the case in my dear departed (but only two blocks away) 1939 Cadillac 75. I compensated for decades of spring fatigue by backing off that screw half a turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 I tried pushing towards the roof but the ring doesn't move at all. The shop manual only tells the bulb size. The owners manual does not say anything other than the size of the bulb. Its hard for me to believe that removing the lens could be a problem. Someone with a 38 must know the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meteor Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 On my 40 special the lens comes out by gentle prying on the sides. Be careful, my lens was so brittle it cracked. I was able to get a new one from a vendor, not brittle and comes in and out easily. Turns out the bulb was not making contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Dave, I have a `35 chevy master, `35 Pontiacs and a `36 Buick all have a round dome light and the lens/bezel snaps off by just a downward pull. Mine are all the same except the Chevys switch is a pull stud that protrudes thru a hole in the bezel. I`d say give it a downward pull and it`ll come off.. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I have a '38 46S. It just pries down. The lens is round. There are 4 "tabs" on the top part that hold it up. I'd believe the sedan is the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Here i8s a photo of the 46S dome light assembly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 (edited) Here i8s a photo of the 46S dome light assemblyThanks so much for the pictures and the replies. I inserted a credit card gently under the ring and it popped right off. The bulb was not making good contact so I thought that the problem was solved, unfortunately its not getting juice to the bulb socket. I guess if I want to fix it I'll have to find where the wire going to the switch originates and trace from there. Thanks again for the help. Edited December 1, 2015 by LAS VEGAS DAVE (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Often bad grounds are a problem with the dome light. If you look closely at the left photo, you can see a screw head just to the right of the light socket for the ground wire. Even on that part there is significant corrosion. I forget what the ground wire attaches to on the body.Also, the positive terminal for the bulb in the socket is actually a screw that pinches the feed wire via a special nut the wire goes through. That screw can come loose and loose contact.The upper assembly is held in place via 4 wood screws and can easily be removed to check things out and see if you are actually getting voltage to the bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thanks again Don, it seems there is more going on then I thought. After reading your post I think the best thing to do is undo the four screws and take a good look at everything so I can understand exactly how this works. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Dont forget to check the switch to to be sure voltage is getting to that. Also that switch is over 75 years old too and subject to contact oxidation. It can be disassembled to clean up. Diagnosis is everything.Another thing, there is a plug behind the dash that connects the front end wiring to the rear wiring. There may be oxidation of the contacts there too.Since yours is a low mileage car, that is no guarantee there can't be electrical gremlins just due to age and unuse. Good luck, it can be a PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 Don I took the switch off the doorpost but the upulstery was caught in it and I didn't want to rip it so I just put the screws back in and didn't fiddle with it. I am now committed to fixing the dome light so I will get back to the switch. First I'm going to remove the dome light assembly from the roof and see if I get lucky and find the problem. Yesterday I put a 180 thermostat in the car so the dome light went on hold for a while. I will get to it again soon. Thanks for your help. By the way where is Menlo Park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Menlo Park is midway between San Francisco and San Jose, California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS VEGAS DAVE Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 I kind of thought that it was up north. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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