Replacing headlights in a 94 Winnabago Brave

[nohurrynoworry]

Hi all

Looks like I need to replace one of the headlights in my 94 Brave. Do I access them by removing the four screws on the front housing panel of the rig? There are also six screws (three on top, three on bottom, on the inside of each light housing, but I am thinking not to have to mess with these. And is there a trick to pulling the wire harness plug from the back of the headlight? It wiggles freely but I can seem to pull it off. Any help welcome, thanks in advance.

[nohurrynoworry]

Thanks so much, great advice on the quality of the screw driver and good penetrant, MexicoWanderer. I already experienced the woes of using a **** Phillips head trying to remove the exterior AC cover (why they would even use a Phillips screw as opposed to a hex nut for that application is nuts). I am thinking that this stainless steel bevel around the sealed beam is accessed from the exterior front of the rig by removing the rectangular sheet metal pan on the front grill that surrounds the headlights as opposed to from the back (engine side) of headlight? Against, thanks for taking the time to help with this, it is much appreciated.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Is this a rectangular sealed beam or plastic housing with separate bulb?

With sealed beams there should be a thin stainless steel bezel surrounding the lamp holding it to the housing. Many screws. Do not touch the screws with the thick heads. They are adjustment alignment screws. Rectangular bulbs have 4 normal looking phillips sheet metal screws holding the bezel to the housing. Round lamps have three screws.

I would not dream of changing a 22 year old assembly without first saturating the screws AND the plastic wire harness block with Liquid Wrench or other NON WD40 spray. WD40 is good only for sucking up moisture. You need a penetrant.

Find a quality #2 phillips screwdriver not a rice paddy special. You'll only get one chance to not strip out the phillips cross in the screw head. Press HARD and twist. The penetrant should ease slipping off the wire harness block a lot easier. I have seen bulb tangs snapped-off frozen in wire harness blocks.

Then you think you're finished keep going. One of the 3 wires in the harness block is the chassis negative ground wire. Follow it and where it bolts to sheet metal remove the screw shine up the ring terminal and sheet metal with sandpaper reassemble the terminal then gob with grease. Is this lamp brighter? Do the negative on the other lamp. A big-time problem with motorhomes.

I just purchased a heavy duty bolster WiHa phillips screwdriver to ease my frustrations with phillips screws. It blows Craftsman, Proto and even my Snap On screwdrivers into the weeds. I like stuff that works. Hope this helps.