How to open headlights on 2000-2002

[zerochief]

Sounds correct DocMike, but make sure that glue is melted! Aimster, yes, I think there are some grey areas regarding the date code... earlier the better!
Just work the heatgun around the entire seam, about 8 - 10 inches above it. Do that for a long time maybe 10-20 minutes BUT DON'T GET TOO CLOSE! use low or medium heat setting.

[DocMike]

Originally Posted by zerochief

Sounds correct DocMike, but make sure that glue is melted! Aimster, yes, I think there are some grey areas regarding the date code... earlier the better!
Just work the heatgun around the entire seam, about 8 - 10 inches above it. Do that for a long time maybe 10-20 minutes BUT DON'T GET TOO CLOSE! use low or medium heat setting.

Alright just found out my heat gun is busted so bah, no luck. I figured i would be a little rough with 02 black housing because from reading other posts I can use my original black housing with non broken tabs, correct? I am in luck as the two plastic pieces are not melted togetrher like the post 10/02 lights are. So i assume with better heat i can seperated these two right? Do i use more heat or more time with lower heat?

[DocMike]

i give up, this glue is too tough. I heated it so much the clear plastic tab melted a little on the bottom of housing. glue still not melted at all, just crumbles

[DocMike]

alright that was a spare assembly, so I took it to a body shop to see what they can do. If he can open it with a heat gun, he will do my other assembly for me.

[Nezzy76]

I sent a guy headlights I thought were 05/2002. He said they were 08/2002.
He could not open them.

I'm the guy! Don't check the production date on the weather stripping as that is the date the weather stripping was produced. Check the date on the back of the light (same clock looking thing). I have baked five headlights now and here are my results: 01/2000 15 minutes at 200 deg glue got soft and gewwy; 02/2001 15 minutes at 250 deg glue got soft and gewwy; 03/2002 x 2 20 min at 250 deg glue was still very firm when I poked it with my screwdriver, I could sort of pry apart but didn't want to damage light; 08/2002 (above mentioned) 20 min x 2 at 250 deg and glue was as firm as when I put it in.

If I had to do again I would look for 2000 and 2001 headlight's just to be safe. You will know when the glue is melted by poking it. If it sticks to your screwdriver start prying.

[DocMike]

Originally Posted by Nezzy76

I'm the guy! Don't check the production date on the weather stripping as that is the date the weather stripping was produced. Check the date on the back of the light (same clock looking thing). I have baked five headlights now and here are my results: 01/2000 15 minutes at 200 deg glue got soft and gewwy; 02/2001 15 minutes at 250 deg glue got soft and gewwy; 03/2002 x 2 20 min at 250 deg glue was still very firm when I poked it with my screwdriver, I could sort of pry apart but didn't want to damage light; 08/2002 (above mentioned) 20 min x 2 at 250 deg and glue was as firm as when I put it in.

If I had to do again I would look for 2000 and 2001 headlight's just to be safe. You will know when the glue is melted by poking it. If it sticks to your screwdriver start prying.

03/2002 x 2 20 min at 250 deg glue was still very firm when I poked it with my screwdriver, I could sort of pry apart but didn't want to damage light; that was my result with the 02/02 lights

[mdrobc13]

DocMike
I used 2001 lights and my installer had no problems. Sounds like you may have post 2002 lights sold to you by some mistake or slight of hand! I hear there is a way to open them with solvent and/or cutting from what my installer says...however EACH of those takes like 4 hrs a light to do!

[Nick@Jlevi SW]

This guide will help you with baking open the headlights: http://www.jlevisw.com/Bake.pdf