Rear light cluster off a Transit 2003

Can anyone tell me how I get my damaged offside rear light cluster off to fit a new one.
The near side has an access panel in the bathroom wall but the other side has no access due to the fridge side panel Coming almost to the rear door. Thanks in advance for any help, Mike

Access through the fridge vents is often quoted for many AS vans.

Mike Haig
Please take a moment to say hello here..

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Will check this as soon as I get back home. If you are correct it will be an easy job. I'll let you know the outcome.
Many thanks for your suggestion.

On my 1996 Transit, access to the O/S rear light cluster is through the fridge vent. Changed a bulb the other day, which is how I know.

An additional elbow joint in your arm would be useful, you need to be a bit of a contortionist!

Hi, Achilles. Thanks for the info, much appreciated, Mike

I have had both a MK5 and a MK7 Transit based Duetto and access to the offside rear light cluster was via the fridge vent on the outside of the van, or a slim panel next to the fridge on the inside.

Achilles heel wrote:On my 1996 Transit, access to the O/S rear light cluster is through the fridge vent. Changed a bulb the other day, which is how I know.

An additional elbow joint in your arm would be useful, you need to be a bit of a contortionist!

I'll second that too!! The light cluster is held in place by two nyloc wing nuts so are only screwed up 'finger tight' but access is made difficult by the fridge piping. One nut you can see.....the other you can't so is a matter of feeling around for it. Whatever you do keep a tight hold of the wingnuts when coming off because if you drop one inside....it's a pain in the proverbial to get hold of!

Bulletguy wrote:Whatever you do keep a tight hold of the wingnuts when coming off because if you drop one inside....it's a pain in the proverbial to get hold of!

Been there, and needed a full command of the English language to express my feelings!    (It was usually when putting nuts back on that I managed to drop them.)

With a wing nut it might be possible to tie a slip not in the end of a length of thin string and slip it tight over one of the wings. If not possible during removal, it might be worth it when putting it back on - to save doing my trick!!

  Beware of sharp edges around the fridge vents. When I removed the o/s rear light on my Mk5 Duetto I shed blood. The fitter at Autosleeper must have used a can opener to cut the holes for the fridge vents.  

Thanks for the warning.
Will take extra care. Advice much appreciated.