Trunk running/turn signal bulb.. 2 acorn nuts keep turning

[Jsolup]

While I was replacing a bulb on one of the trunk lights 2 out of three acorn nuts keep spinning... any ideas would be helpful.. thank you in advance

[Jsolup]

It’s an 07 gl1800... first time doing this.. wasn’t sure if it comes up automatically

[Viking]

You will need to get some pressure under the acorns so that they can bite into the plastic studs and carve their way off. A knife blade, standard thin blade screwdriver or a dental pick can help.

[Jsolup]

I tried the knife blade and pic .. that didn’t work m, but thank you

[joeincalif]

This is common on the 1800 wings. When I started hearing about this I tried 2 of them on my 08 had the same problem. It was still under warranty I took it to the dealer and they broke the tail light to get it off and replaced it under warranty. Problem was Honda tightened them to much at the factory and the end of the screw that attaches to the light housing broke so the a corn nut just spins. Might help to pull slightly on the tail light unit while turning the nut.

[joeincalif]

There should be a small panel on the bottom of light housing inside the trunk that can be pushed off with a screwdriver and give access to the bulbs.

[Big Bob]

Same problem with my 06 1800, I only had the bike less than 2 weeks (purchased used) when I discovered the burned out bulb, tried removing the 3 acorn nuts, 2 spin, 1 comes off, WTH. Yes there is a small access panel you can remove and change the bulbs, of course Honda gives you little if any extra room or wire to work with, you will learn some new cuss words project took 45 minutes to change 1 bulb, I don't have the smallest hands so that makes it even more difficult to do. Be patient, it can be done, you may need a cold beer afterwards if you so enjoy. Good luck, God speed!

Bob

[Jsolup]

Thank you all for your responses.. will look for the access panel.
Thanks
Jeff

[GoldWingrGreg]

Unfortunately that's been a known issue on earlier 5th gens. The nuts were over tightened at the factory, and the studs became loose when trying to remove the assembly to replace a bulb. Under some conditions Honda was correcting the issue with new lamp assemblies. Unfortunately I'm not sure what the conditions were. Possibly the condition was that the owner was still under the 3-year warranty. However, the spinning studs are usually found long after the warranty has expired. I'd call Honda in LA.

[Big Bob]

I can't believe that Honda would warranty people with 1800s to way back earlier than even my mc, the money to cover that would be catastrophic. Especially because it's not a life threatening hazard. I would love for that to happen, just doesn't seem realistic to me.

Bob

[WingAdmin]

The problem is, as mentioned, that they were overtightened. The studs are mounted into the plastic - they're actually molded into it. The studs have a base that is ridged, with the idea that the ridges "bite" into the plastic and keep it in place and prevent it from turning.

The problem is that when it's overtorqued, those ridges shear the plastic when you try to loosen them, with the result that the stud just spins inside the plastic instead of holding tight.

A method to fix this that has worked for some, instead of tearing the light apart, is to apply heat to the nut. You want it hot enough to melt the ABS locally, but not so hot that the ABS becomes soft and the stud falls out. The idea is to get it hot enough that the sheared-off ABS re-bonds to the surrounding ABS. Once this occurs, and you let it cool, the stud (in theory) will be re-fixed in place, and you can remove the nut.

[Big Bob]

Ok WingAdmin, what did or do you use to heat up the acorn nut and not melt the ABS plastic, is a hair dryer hot enough? I don't think a torch would be a good idea, listening for answers and ideas, thanks!

Bob

[WingAdmin]

Ok WingAdmin, what did or do you use to heat up the acorn nut and not melt the ABS plastic, is a hair dryer hot enough? I don't think a torch would be a good idea, listening for answers and ideas, thanks!

Bob

A hair dryer would not be hot enough. ABS starts to melt at around 100°C, or 212°F. Like you said, a torch would likely spill so much heat out that it would melt plastic other than where you intended. I would probably use a decent soldering gun (not iron) and hold the tip to the head of the nut, to conduct heat directly into it and nowhere else.