Hood light repair?

[eaglescout526]

I was asked a good question by a member and I was asked if the under hood retractable lamp could be repaired. I swear I vaguely recall seeing and reading a post about it from some time ago. Am I imagining this post or was/is it real? If not, has anyone attempted to repair these lights?

[fiatslug87]

There was a post a long time ago about this. I'll look for it.

[eaglescout526]

Ok I thought so. I couldn’t find it using the search for some reason. Maybe it was ‘hood lamp’ or ‘hoodlight’

[WahooSteeler]

Well, I may be a new guinea pig for this. Mine locked up after years of no real problems and I plan to drill out the rivets and see what I can do......soon. 

[Pete M]

I swear I've seen a writeup too. 

[eaglescout526]

I swear I remember the PO talking about a clock spring and what not that has a tendency to get locked up inside. I’m glad it’s not just me but I searched under every term I could think of. 

[jdog]

Closest thing I found

[fiatslug87]

that's the one I was thinking of, I remember the towel tip and it's only 10 years old.

[87MJTIM]

I "tried" to fix mine by rewinding the spring.  I wound it backwards.  I watch a youtube video and saw what I did wrong.  I have not tried to fix it yet.

[eaglescout526]

I think thats the one. I swear there was a write up but I guess not. Well it wouldnt hurt to have one if these lamps can be saved.

[watchamakalit]

If you send me your light I will gladly fix it and put it on my truck....

[cruiser54]

They're standard old Ford parts. Junkyard.

[watchamakalit]

21 minutes ago, cruiser54 said:

They're standard old Ford parts. Junkyard.

Is the connector the same on the fords?

[cruiser54]

Not 100% sure. 

[Parei_doll_ia]

It's a pretty simple mechanism, I've done it a couple times because it keeps getting stuck. I replaced the rivets with small bolts. I just don't pull it out anymore.

[schardein]

I remember trying to fix the one in my 1989 XJ Wagoneer.  I ended up throwing it away.

 

I understand wanting to keep something original, but a better substitute are the reel lights that were available in Chevy trucks and SUVs late 80s-90s.