Courtesy light 1997 355

[tgmkwill]

1997 355 aft cabin. I need to replace the courtesy light that is near the sliding entrance door to right as you try to get inside the boat. I took the small plastic grill off, the gray circular part that holds the bulb will not pull out to get the wires behind the bulb. I want replace the entire courtesy light fixture. I tugged on it with needle nose pliers and noticed the fixture is very heavily caulked from the INSIDE preventing the fixture from sliding out like the other fixtures door of the same style that are inside the salon.

Tugging fairly hard on the fixture it only moves it out about 1 cm, as soon as I let go it snaps back into the hole.

Before I use the "just grip it and rip" technique, just seeing if I am missing an easy access to the backside of where the light is attached. I want to replace the light fixture, so it does not matter if it breaks. Just wondering if any other wires are is behind it before I do this. Don't won't to make a bigger problem.

I can't believe I had to type 3 paragraphs about a small little light. That's a boat for you .

Thanks.

[bud37]

An idea or two....maybe the wires are short and pulling it back.....but really if you are putting a new fixture, just drill it out in bits, that way you can be sure to not damage things further .......its fun heh, inventive ways to screw future owners ......

[RGrew176]

For the rest of us. When you do figure how to get that part out let the rest of us know. Someday someone else will face the same issue and you will have taught us all how to take care of it.

[tgmkwill]

I like the idea of drilling it out in small pieces in case the wires are short. That will probably be the way I will try this weekend.

I was also thinking of taking the bolster panel off inside the salon on the starboard side where the light switches are as you stand at the base of the steps. A lot of screws and trim to remove, and still not sure if i would have access to it.

[km1125]

You should post a pic or two of what you are talking about. That light could be used in many different boats, but unless you were very intimate with the details of a 1997 355, no one would know exactly what you're up against.

If exposed to weather, the light could be caulked in place but probably does have some clips to hold it in place even if not caulked. You can use something like dental floss to cut away most of the caulk to help loosen it.

Are there any other similar lights on the boat that you might be able to explore easier to understand how they mount?

[tgmkwill]

Pics of the area I am talking about. Won't be at my boat until weekend, got these pics from web. 1997 355, the light I am trying to replace is circled. Exact same light fixtures are inside the boat in other, they come out real easy. I will get close up of the light fixture this weekend.

[tgmkwill]

I am also thinking of taking this panel off, a lot screws, trim, wall switch plates, disconnect the light switches etc... Not even sure if I can reach that area once I do this. So just looking for any tips if anyone else has done this before or taken this panel off and knows about access. So far drilling out the light fixture that holds the bulb in small pieces at a time and cutting the gobs of caulking that must be behind it with dental floss might be the way I will go.
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[mjk1040]

Get an artist scalper knife and cut the 5200 holding it in. I doubt the wires are short.

[AaHubb]

I have the same light on my '99 404. I checked the socket and it too is caulked in place. Pretty sure it was done by Carver.

..Aaron

[tgmkwill]

Trying to remove the panels in the picture was a pain, I so I just drilled it out a little bit at a time until I could pull the bulb socket out and get to the the wires. This was the only courtesy light on the Carver that was covered in caulk from the inside. Had to have been done when boat was being built. Thanks for the help. ! Project done, light replaced.