1979 Spider 2000 Tail Light Question

[fiatjack]

Quick question, is it possible to disassemble the tail light housing to clean? mine had a serious leak before i acquired it. the circuits all work, just need serious cleaning. is it possible?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Quick question, is it possible to disassemble the tail light housing to clean?

Yes. On 1979-1985, the taillight assembly is a circuit board, and it's held to the tailight housing with 4 or 5 plastic tabs. From the inside of the trunk, pry those tabs a bit and the circuit board should pop out. Use care as old tabs can break. Remove the multi-wire connector first.

Note that AutoRicambi has a pretty good sale on a set of new circuit boards, for $130. Not a bad deal.
https://autoricambi.us/tail-light-circu ... t-1979-85/

-Bryan

[fiatjack]

Quick question, is it possible to disassemble the tail light housing to clean?

Yes. On 1979-1985, the taillight assembly is a circuit board, and it's held to the tailight housing with 4 or 5 plastic tabs. From the inside of the trunk, pry those tabs a bit and the circuit board should pop out. Use care as old tabs can break. Remove the multi-wire connector first.

Note that AutoRicambi has a pretty good sale on a set of new circuit boards, for $130. Not a bad deal.
https://autoricambi.us/tail-light-circu ... t-1979-85/

-Bryan

Hey Bryan, sorry to be vague. I've gotten the tail light off the car, but the actual lenses/ lens housing are what needs the deep cleaning.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Ahhh, I see what you mean. I've never tried to disassemble the lens assembly / housing, but my guess is that it glued together. Probably very difficult to take apart to clean.

Perhaps let it soak overnight in a pan with dish detergent, and shake it around, and then flush it out with clean water as best you can?

Well, AutoRicambi also has a sale on new taillight assemblies!

-Bryan

[DRUMMOND]

It is possible with a hot Stanley knife. Then use a solder iron to weld it all back together. But is it worth it?
I did it as I replaced the lens reflectors and converted to LED.

[toyfiats]

Get some small, flexible brushes (I used a series of cutdown toothbrushes for all but the hardest to reach corners), and together with patience, hot water, and several goes at it I had mine looking as good as new.