Lost my bulb in the socket, now what?

A

Arturius

Member
Location
Toronto, ON
As the title states. Tried getting at my dtrl to change it as I thought it was burnt only to find the thing bobbling around inside my housing.

I've tried:

- needle-nose pliers
- paper clip
- one of those goose-neck wrenches
- magnet taped to a paper clip


Any suggestions to those that have experienced this in the past cuz I'm about ready to go get a shop vac and suck the thing out.
 
+1 to JB. Might be worth it to just take off the HL... The DTRL square can also be removed but i believe the lens has to be popped off first
 
Have you tried one of these? Most valuable tool in my tool box...

Amazon.com: Ullman Devices (ULLHT-5) Magnetic Pick-Up Tool with Powercap (Over 2-1/2 lb. Capacity): Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21xkMa4eh9L.@@AMEPARAM@@21xkMa4eh9L

Go to your local hardware store to find one. The DTRL bulb is a little bigger so it might fit, but if not, I've seen smaller magnetic pick-up tools.

Also, you can use a chop stick with the top wrapped in duct tape (cleverly). Put just the right pressure once you come into contact with the bulb and slowly pull out.

Good luck fishing.

Arturius said:
As the title states. Tried getting at my dtrl to change it as I thought it was burnt only to find the thing bobbling around inside my housing.

I've tried:

- needle-nose pliers
- paper clip
- one of those goose-neck wrenches
- magnet taped to a paper clip


Any suggestions to those that have experienced this in the past cuz I'm about ready to go get a shop vac and suck the thing out.
Click to expand...
 
Chedman13 said:
Have you tried one of these? Most valuable tool in my tool box...

Amazon.com: Ullman Devices (ULLHT-5) Magnetic Pick-Up Tool with Powercap (Over 2-1/2 lb. Capacity): Home Improvement

Go to your local hardware store to find one. The DTRL bulb is a little bigger so it might fit, but if not, I've seen smaller magnetic pick-up tools.

Also, you can use a chop stick with the top wrapped in duct tape (cleverly). Put just the right pressure once you come into contact with the bulb and slowly pull out.

Good luck fishing.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip, I tried fabricating my own with a paper clip and a magnet to no avail... are the bulbs not magnetic? Or should I say not magnetic enough?


I was thinking shop vac with a thin mesh loosely taped to it creating a sort of suction pocket...

What a headache..
 
How would a magnet help you get the bulb? its glass, no?

same thing happened to my tower LEDs its still in there,but I plan on doing new headlamps when my parts are done at the bodyshop
 
mine came out too but in the turn signal housing, good thing was that it wont go into the headlights, stays in the glass, i tried magnets didnt work. Only needl noise pliers helped.

My other plan was to drive up a steep hill, and let the bulb fall back to the insert, and ply it out, you can try this might help..
 
I had that same issue once where a bulb fell inside my headlight. I went to home depot and bought a tool that fit inside the headlight. I'm not sure what the name is it's something similar to this.a689890c-90d7-cb2b.jpg
 

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It's a long tool that has some type of claws in the bottom and on the top u press it for the claws to grab it. It's flexible enough it fits inside the headlight.
 
When you go there just ask one of the sales guy and he should find it for u. It's not tat expensive. I still have that tool inside my car just in case I need it to reach fallen screws. I just can't remember the name but they sale them at most. hardware stores
 
I had that happen a few months back. I used a long thick zip tie, at the end I attached a 3M double sided tape, stuck it in, and fished the lightbulb out. Took me 2 tries but totally works. Try it before bying stuff or taking the light out.
 
GetLuckiFX said:
I had that happen a few months back. I used a long thick zip tie, at the end I attached a 3M double sided tape, stuck it in, and fished the lightbulb out. Took me 2 tries but totally works. Try it before bying stuff or taking the light out.
Click to expand...
:tup: I do that all the time.

---------- Post added at 06:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 PM ----------
Dracula said:
i think thats the claw pick up tool

---------- Post added at 02:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:53 PM ----------

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Grip-53402-24-Inch-HD-Claw-Pickup-Tool/15128007
Click to expand...

Please be very careful with the Claw Pickup tool as it may scratch the reflector easily.
 
Be careful when removing the bulb as the lens will scratch and you WILL have to take it apart to polish it. I have had great luck with blue tape rolled into a tube and then fishing the bulb out.
 
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It warms my heart to know that I can always turn to you guys for assistance.
Thanks for all the help people!

I'll get on it and report back w/ progress.
 
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