Changing the bulb in the tail light

Tom, I just removed the tail light assy's on my 2003 and they are the same.

Look inside where the studs are that the nuts came off from. On the indoard side, just below the stud there is a black plastic pin. On the outboard side just out from the stud, is a white plastic pin. The indoard one is a real guide pin. The outboard one is a socket thata pin fits into.

Pad the body well and use 2 screw drivers to work the light assy. out of the locations. (it will help a little to tap on the studs too. Put the nuts back on the end so you don't damage the studs! ) The white pin is the hard one. Once you get one of them off, you will see how it works.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Thanks Bruce, I plan to work on it today. More later.

Bruce,

Thanks for the help. It was that white plactic pin that was the hang up. You were right, once the assembly was off the whole thing was clear. I'm suprised that there wasn't anything on Miata.net about this procedure or the bulb number.

I'm still looking for a replacement bulb. However, it was a little late on Saturday when I started. I will find a auto parts store open tomorrow and be back in business,

Thanks again.

Tom

Glad I could help Tom.

There is a mention of this in the Miata.net, but it is part of the onfo on how to make the rear reflectors into a lighted unit. (You need to remove the unit to wire in the new lamp holder) :-) That's how I found it. I just did that to my 2003.

Bruce Bing '03 LE

I didn't find that listing on Miata.net. However, I am tempted to write one called, "How Many Miata Owners Does It Take to Change a Tail Light?"