Opera Lights

[jaco]

These things are hard to find.
Ask at a junk yard and they just look at you like you're nuts.

Any sources yall know of?

can they be re-lit? i.e Is the "bulb" (its not really a bulb I know) repairable or replaceable and are the replacements available anywhere.
GM can't help.

Mine is a 90 ninety-eight.

thanks

[Oldsguy]

You might look into using these modern LEDs and just re-build the thing yourself. I don't really know how the things are put together but it might work.

[Oldsfan]

Looks like there were three different designs depending on trim level. All discontinued. Keep looking in the salvage yards. Some of these were "electro-luminescent". Probably not much you can do with those.

Paul

[jaco]

Originally Posted by Oldsfan

Looks like there were three different designs depending on trim level. All discontinued. Keep looking in the salvage yards. Some of these were "electro-luminescent". Probably not much you can do with those.

Paul

Thanks for input.
Did you notice if the differences were cosmetic or 'architectural"?
I know the Regency Brougham models had a little Crest (coat of arms) and maybe some other decorative flourishes built into the plastic exterior "lens" piece.
But I must assume/hope that the standard Ninety-Eight and Touring Sedan models assemblies would fit, just that the cosmetics would be a bit different. At least I sure hope so. Course nothing GM did would surprise me.
There is so little descriptive info in the 90 Service Manual that I am not sure where one might look to compare with other model years part either.

What book or manual did you use to determine there were 3 diff designs?

When looking at the unit off the car, you just have to be amazed at the lack of concern for future "restoration" projects that GM had. nothing about the design lends itself to repair.
Next to nothing in the Olds Service Manual and of course no answers at the local GM parts counters.
I mean you gotta figure they at one time had access to replacements. You gotta figure very few owners ever needed or cared to replace the things. And so you must assume that much of that NOS stock should still be floating around the system somewhere right?
My Gosh does GM just take the stuff out and burn it after so many years?

[Oldsfan]

Here are the three sets of opera lamp numbers I came up with:

5975523 (LH) & 5975524 (RH)

These fit '89 & '90 CW69 models (Regency Brougham sedans) WITHOUT BA5 (Custom Exterior Ornamentation). 5974424 is still available from a vendor by the name of Vintage Parts in Wisconsin. GM sells their obsolete stock to VPI.

5976335 (LH) & 5976336 (RH)

These fit '89 & '90 CW69 models WITH BA5. There is a note with these lamps that says the PGA emblem is not part of the lamp. They had a gold PGA (Pro Golf Association) package in '90.

5975623 (LH) & 5975624 (RH)

These fit '89 & '90 CX69 models (base Regency sedans) WITHOUT B57 (Deluxe Exterior Ornamentation). There is a note with these lamps that they have frosted lenses. 5975623 is still available from VPI.

I have no listing for CX69s with B57.

Stock on all other numbers have been depleted and there is no dealer stock for them.

All this information comes from the GM parts catalog system.

Customers tended not to replace these because of the expense involved. GM only had so many lamps on hand and when that supply was exhausted they were discontinued. It is not unusual for GM to have dealerships scrap obsolete parts at the dealer level rather than return them to GM.

Paul

[jaco]

Originally Posted by Oldsfan

All this information comes from the GM parts catalog system.



Paul

Thanks Paul for Info that I would not have found.

I've got questions about the GM Parts Catalog system but I'm going to start a separate thread for that.
Are/Were you in the GM parts business?
======================================


What publication could I aquire that would give me all the definitions and codes for different options and accessories and the different model designation codes like I italicised below?
BA5 Custom Exterior Ornamentation
B57 Deluxe Exterior Ornamentation

CW69 1989-1990 ~ Regency Brougham Sedan
CX69 1989-1990 ~ base Regency Sedan

thanks again

[Oldsfan]

Yes, I am a GM parts guy. The current catalog system is all computerized. GM hasn't printed a paper catalog in years. This is not a problem until the computers go down. I don't know of any printed material that would provide you with that information. We have the ability, on cars 1990 and newer, to input the VIN into the computer and it will give us the same information that is provided on the SPID label in the trunk of the vehicle. We are able to enter those codes into the computer and it tells us what they are. Also, by using the VIN, it eliminates [most of] the parts that do not apply to that vehicle.

Paul

[jaco]

Paul that is interesting.
If you had my VIN and entered it, Could you print out a SPID ?
Would it print out on one page probably?

If I go to a GM counter will they do this for me? at what cost?
First I guess I better check my trunk.
Where generally were the SPIDs placed? (under carpet ? stuck to deck lid? etc.).


What does SPID stand for?
Is a SPID the manifest used by factory to group the Optional parts that make up a particular vehicle?
And does that mean that all Non Optional parts are NOT listed by VIN?
So is it possible to enter VIN (1990 and later) and generate a list of ALL No Longer Available Parts?

Will that computer generate a Window Sticker from a VIN?

Lastly (for now) is there a way to purchase either a CD or ScreenPrints of the exploded parts (body,trim,accessories) that appear on your computer for a certain model?

Thanks

[Oldsfan]

I cannot print out a SPID label, but I can print the closest thing to it. Dealers are also able to request copies of Broadcast Sheets, which is pretty much the same information. I have never requested one and don't know how far back they are retained by GM.

The SPID label on a 90 C-body should either be attached to the underside of the trunk lid, or on either side of the spare tire cover. I'm betting on the underside of the lid.

I believe SPID stands for Service Parts Identification.

It is not possible to generate a discontinued part list. Heck, there are parts listed in the catalog as still available, but you only find upon ordering that they are actually discontinued.

I do not believe window stickers are available from any source. But the last I knew you could contact Oldsmobile (somewhere else in GM now) and get an information packet for your car which included a copy of the factory invoice (on anything newer than 1977). Fee applies.

Sounds like what you want is a paper parts catalog. I do not know the last year that GM printed paper catalogs. We've got some here from '89 through '92, so chances are pretty good you can find one. Check eBay. I've got some catalogs on CD - I prefer the paper jobs. I think they're easier to navigate.

Paul

[Oldsfan]

Here's a parts catalog - reasonable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-...spagenameZWD1V

The nice thing about having the computerized catalog and being able to plug in the VIN is that the computer will eliminate things not related to that VIN.

Paul

[jaco]

Many thanks Paul. I just bought it.
Will report its usefulness when I have it and have time to look it over.

~~jaco~~