FlyingV5150

Does anyone have a picture of the courtesy light that is on the drivers side, kind of under the dash, near the e-brake on a 72 cutlass S? Mine has worked on and off for awhile so I reached down and tried to tighten it and just the bulb came out. What # bulb goes in here?

MDchanic

All lamp and fuse specifications are listed in your Owner's Manual and your Chassis Service Manual.

The Chassis Service Manual says that that bulb is a #90.

- Eric

Fun71

Did the entire bulb come out or was it just the glass, and the brass base is still in the socket? I've had that happen more times than I care to remember.

FlyingV5150

Pretty sure the base is still in the socket and just the glass came out, what's the best way to fish the rest of the bulb out? Do I need to disconnect the battery?

mrolds69

Yes, disconnect the battery. Use needle nose pliers to twist it out, or a large flathead screwdriver.

Allan R

That bulb is held in by friction, so twisting it likely broke the glass to metal connection. Good news is you can remove the harness plug by reaching under the lower dash and pulling straight up. That will release the fingers on the brass plate that holds it in place. Once out - easy to fish out the old bulb and replace with new. The light package (option) is a separate harness that plugs into the main dash harness (behind the ashtray area). You likely also have the lighted rear view map light, trunk light, and under hood light too if it was ordered new from the factory.

MDchanic

Just use the easer end of a pencil: Push the eraser into the socket, press fairly hard, rotate about a quarter turn counterclockwise and you're all set.

No need to disconnect the battery but you can pull the CTSY fuse if you'd like.

- Eric

Allan R

Eric,
The courtesy light harness will be hot when the door is open which he likely will need to do reaching up under the dash to get the socket and plug out from the lower dash frame.

MDchanic

Allan,
The orange wire of the courtesy harness is always hot, and is protected by the CTSY fuse.
The lights go on when the ground connection is completed through the white wire.

There should be no danger of shorting anything out from just unscrewing a lightbulb base.

- Eric

FlyingV5150

Eric, did what you suggested with the end of a pencil, came right out. Took all of 30 seconds. Just need to get a new bulb now.

Allan, your right about me having those other lights. I always wondered why i had the two map lights, one on the dash and one on the rear view mirror, now i know.

As always thanks for your guys advice and expertise.

MDchanic

You're welcome!

Fiat lux.

- Eric