How do I replace reflector on my VS tail light?

[Jester88]

Hi everyone..
First post..yay

Um, was just wondering if any one could inform as to how to replace the reflector on my 97 VS Commodore's tail light?
I need to replace the driver's side tail light, but the replacement I have has a different coloured reflector, so I want totake the original reflector and put in on the new tail light I cannot replace both lights as I only have the one in good nick.

Thanks in advance.
Jester

[Jester88]

Anyone please? It's a wee bit urgent.

Had problems with a boot leak too, but know how to fix that up thanks to ChRiDDa's "How To Fix A VN-VS Boot Water Leak".

-Peace

[sycvs]

just glue it on or leave them both of

[Jester88]

just glue it on or leave them both of

No, this isn't possible.
I need to pop the old one out.
I have a cracked driver's side tail light.
I want to remove it and take out the refelector.
I have a new tail light which I also need to do the same to so that I can put the old reflector into the new tail light.

[Philthy]

I didnt think the reflectors were replacable?

Also, it's easier to read your posts if they are all the same colour

[Jester88]

Just making things CLEAR.

Hmm, are you sure? If so that means that I will have to replace both tail lights, which is a pain.

Anyone else ever had this problem?
Jester

[Philthy]

What do you mean by different coloured reflectors? If its like every other VR/S commodore on the road one of them is probably faded. I have another faded one in the shed if you want a matching illegal one...

[Jester88]

The old tail light's reflector is white/clear, where as the new one is red.
I can't have a white one on one side and a red one on the other, lol.

[Jester88]

Here are pictures of the old broken one with the white reflector, and the replacement one with the red reflector.

[eXphoid]

You can't remove the reflector. Your best option would be to get some dye and paint the faded one red. cheaper than buying a new light

[Jester88]

Yeah, tis' a bit of a stuff around.
Do you think that I could take the back off the light and get to it from there?

[Jester88]

Also my battery always goes dead, even just over night. I brought a new one and also replaced the alternator, but its still does it. Any ideas?

[Jester88]

Come on, anyone? Please..?

[ozyprd]

hey mate to do with the battery look at the thread at the top of the list in the stickys that will be the problem

[hako]

Re the faded tail light reflector, as previously mentioned get some red paint for glass from Spotlight or a craft shop and paint over the reflector. It costs less than $10.
Re the battery drain, it probably is due to some accessory being left on - check boot light, glovebox light, radio are not staying on - look for this in total darkness.

[Philthy]

i managed to find an unfaded berlina/calais light for under $30 with loom and globes, so I imagine you could find a replacement exec one for not much more than $10 if you looked hard enough. That's heaps easier than screwing around trying to cut out the reflector and put it in a different light

[Jester88]

Re the faded tail light reflector, as previously mentioned get some red paint for glass from Spotlight or a craft shop and paint over the reflector.

i managed to find an unfaded berlina/calais light

It is NOT a faded reflector. The old one is clearly white and the new is definitely red.
Check out the pics I left in post #9.

Re the battery drain, it probably is due to some accessory being left on - check boot light, glovebox light, radio are not staying on - look for this in total darkness.

As for the battery dying, still working on that. Thanks for the suggestions

[Philthy]

What colour do you suppose the reflectors go when all the colour fades out of them...black?

EDIT: Here's a shot of my old faded one:



As I understand it you want both of yours to be faded..or "white". This is actually illegal since you need to have red reflectors on the rear of the car. The are both meant to be red

[Jester88]

So they go completely white when they fade? How come the rest of the light doesn't do the same thing?
I feel stupid now

Just spent all day sanding back a new bumper, my fingers hurt

[Ozzie]

Series II VS rear lights were clear reflectors.
Series I VS were red or amber

edit: thats for the actual indicator side.
The actual reflector was always red unless its the boot part, then yes series I was red and series II was clear

[Philthy]

So they go completely white when they fade? How come the rest of the light doesn't do the same thing?
I feel stupid now

Just spent all day sanding back a new bumper, my fingers hurt

The reflector bit is well...reflective, which apparently doesn't like the sun as much as the rest of the taillight. Every 2nd VR/S you see driving around will have 1 faded taillight, you will start to notice it now.

The indicator bit on mine is clear because it is a berlina/calais light, the lower spec ones were amber like yours are. I don't have a shot showing both taillights clearly to show you the differences though

[Jester88]

Both my tail lights are white.. they look identical

[Jester88]

the reflectors look new. they are identical.

whats more if you pull the light out theres plug like thing you can pull out and it gives you access to the rear of those reflectors. i just can pop them out and was wandering if anyone knew of a way.

thanks for all the replies so far.

[Philthy]

If you can pop them out, by all means do it. Why haven't you already?

But as I said before, as far as I know they are a part of the taillight and can't be replaced.

If you are that desperate, get a dremel, cut them out and glue the new ones in

[nathg]

Pretty sure they cannot be pushed out. I had some fun with my old broken tail light, pretty much wanted to do the same thing as you, have two new RED reflectors one being for my replacement..I used a small flat head to try and pry it, no dice, ended up scratching it all.