Courtesy Light Removal

[prasantha]

I have a 1990 U.S. Spider Graduate. I am trying to remove the knee pad - on this model it is one piece across the entire width of the car. Everything else is removed except for the wiring to the courtesy light. From the back side of the knee pad, I can see a half-cylindrical housing for the courtesy light. It is fixed to the knee pad with rivets so I assume that isn't removable. Therefore the courtesy light must come down, towards the floor - i.e. removed from the passenger compartment side of the knee pad rather than from the underneath the dash / fuse box side of the knee pad. I was able to pry one end a bit but couldn't get much further and didn't want to force it since I wasn't sure that was the direction it was supposed to move. Any advice on how this part is to be removed?

[kunzman]

It pops out of the kneepad in the down direction. You should be able to push it from the topside down. One of the wire connectors may be holding it back from popping out. I remember I had to remove all the wire connectors from the back spade connectors on the light and then slightly bend one of the spade connecters up slightly to clear the opening as it popped out.

[prasantha]

Todd,
First of all, I want to thank you for a most excellent thread last year on replacing your carpet. I have read that many times as I am undertaking the same process currently. The photos, details, link to Re-Originals, etc. have proven to be an invaluable resource. Thank you very much!

Regarding the courtesy light removal...
On the passenger side, when I dropped the knee pad a little, I could easily get to the wiring for the courtesy light "from behind" and so I was able to disconnect them from the spade connectors - and therefore aren't even removing the courtesy light itself from the knee pad. However, on the driver's side, when I drop the knee pad a bit, I can see a half-cylindrical covering over the back of the light - there by concealing the points at which the wires connect to the spade connectors. That's why I have to remove the courtesy light on the driver's side. Anyway, to make a long story short, that cover prevents me from from pushing it out from the back side.

But, now that you have confirmed that it drops out, I will put a little more force into my prying to see if I can pull it out.

Thanks again.

[kunzman]

I remember now. It does come out in the down direction though as I had both of mine out. If by chance it does break, these are offered many times on ebay from "rezdoc" and a few others.