Exploding tail light bulbs

marty · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:33 am

In the last month I have had four break light bulbs explode on the passenger side rear tail light. I thought I was going to go crazy trying to figure out what was happening. It turned out that a plastic insert inside the taillight had poped out of its place and was falling aginst the bulb causing it to explode when it heated up. It's amazing what can get knocked loose when you stray from the roads. Have you ever tried to remove a 3" by 2" hard plastic lens form a hole the size of a golf ball. Its no fun at all.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:51 am

I had the same problem. I melted it into pieces with a soldering iron and took it out that way. But be sure to do it in a well ventilated area.

JeepinG · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:15 pm

It melted the plastic liner piece, from the outside it looked like the inside of the lens assembly was melted. I took it to the dealer, he said he has never seen anything like this. They replaced the whole lens assembly. Once I got home, I looked at the other side and it too was now melted. This time I took it all apart (thinking for SURE something was going to break while trying to pull the thing out..that bugger is in there good) and noticed the little plastic liner had fallen over against the bulb. This melted the liner, and made the bulb explode, while there was no physical harm to the actual lens. I'm thinking this is a fire hazard, things on my car shouldn't be melting due to poor design. Also, the bulb holder is dark brown, which means it has gotten excessively hot. I broke the liner inside and pulled it out in pieces, but everyone should keep a close watch on their rear lenses, and maybe even be proactive by taking them apart and just removing the plastic liner piece before trouble arises.

Now, my question is, wtf is this little plastic liner really doing, and why would anyone in their right mind think you could just snap it in there and think it's going to stay, it's worse than legos. Just two very small tabs that get pushed into the bottom of the assembly from the inside. What possibly purpose could this clear liner serve??

I have a 2005 Renegade, maybe we got special liners along with our special POS roof racks and noone else did.

Bluesman001 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:42 pm

While we're on the topic of brake lights, today I was told I have one out (driver side). How hard is this to get to in the Libby? Thanks for the help.

JeepinG · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:05 pm

Take off the 2 screws from the side, and wiggle it out. Now that you've tried that... No, it's not stuck on something, keep pulling.

marty · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:47 pm

I wish I had thought about melting the lens to get it out. I used needle nose pliers and wire cutters. My nuckles are still sore and now I have scratches all over the inside of my tail light. Now that I know there is an easier way I think I will also remove the other one before it breaks.

Today I found out that the third brake light is out. I hope there is not some defective plastic useless lens up there too. Is that one as easy to take out as the other tail lights or is there some special trick?

Whats funny is that I actually bought one of those POS roof racks on purpose...

marty · **Posted:** Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:50 pm

When you take it out be sure to shake the tail light and listen for a rattle. Especially if the bulb is broken.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:46 pm

I used pliers to take the lens on one side out. Then I got lazy and inspiration kicked in. I replaced my 04 tail lamps with ones from an 06 I found on eBay, just because the signals were clear. I don't think my 04 lamps had the lenses in them. I'm away from home for the summer, or I'd check for ya.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:17 pm

Can anyone post a picture of this plastic piece? I've never had a problem with mine but it'd be a good thing to keep an eye on when I replace bulbs on the rear of the KJ.

Re pulling the tail-light housing out: Man just keep pulling because those suckers are friction mounted in there (after you remove the two screws mentioned.) They come straight out but you will surely feel like they are about to break before the housing pops free

marty · **Posted:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:41 pm

I can't post a pic because I had to break it into about 10 smaller pieces to get it out. But it is a clear plastic lens shaped like a half moon. My guess is that it is some kind of heat shield to protect the exterior tail lights plastic.

If you look through the bulb socket into the tail light itself you should be able to see the tabs that hold it in place. Two on the top and two on the bottom. That is all that holds it in place.

Exploding tail light bulbs

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