Topic: License plate light disassembly

[Aussiemach]

Is there a way to remove and replace the seal and grommet without damage in the photo so I can get the housing plated ?

[J_Speegle]

Yes you can remove the whole socket from the bracket and plate it.

[Aussiemach]

Ok thanks Jeff

[jwc66k]

Yes you can remove the whole socket from the bracket and plate it.

To "enhance" the socket, shove the wire lead thru, clip the "button" off the wire, pull it back and all the rest will fall out - so be careful and note how to reassemble everything. Replacements for the button are available at Rhode Island Wire http://www.riwire.com/ listed there as "Small Brass Button". With the wire lead, spring and insulator removed, the socket can be better cleaned, as can the wire lead.
Start the cleaning process on the wire with paint thinner. I've used "Goof-Off", an acetone based solvent, but be careful as you can remove any markings on the wire very easily. Limit exposure of acetone/Goof-Off to 30 SECONDS, and wipe it away.
To reassemble, shove the wire back in the bottom of the socket and if you "remembered" the way it came apart, you can reassemble everything and solder a new "button" on the end of the wire.
Jim

[Anghelrestorations]

The easiest way to do this is simply tap the entire socket that holds the bulb out.  Just push it thru from the other side carefully and then no need to take it apart.  Then clean up and detail that socket and harness....plate the housing and put it all back together again.
 
Im going to take a wild guess this came off a yellow car......

[J_Speegle]

I've always just found a deep socket that fit the diameter of the inside of the bulb socket and used that and a little pressure to focus it out of the bracket

One of the easier tasks related to these cars.

Going to move the topic and adjust the title since this applies to many years not just 69

[Bossbill]

On the early cars with the woven sleeve you have to use Jim's method -- unless your sleeve is in excellent shape.

I did find a source for a crimp on button which is much easier to replace (and more correct) than other methods. Not that this hidden item matters.

[CharlesTurner]

I use a 1x1 long piece of wood and knock them out.

[Anghelrestorations]

Jim/Bill....Im still not sure why you think the harness needs to be taken apart.  You just remove the entire assembly and your done and can replate the housing.  Unless Im missing something your doing?

[Bossbill]

Marcus -- many cars have a braided, woven sleeve:
https://www.npdlink.com/product/wire-cover-black-woven-cloth/106864?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3D9278-1K%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1965&year=1965

This sleeve, which is often degraded, can only be rep!aced by cutting off the light button.

I looked up the plate light for  cars through 1970 and NPD states (on the 70 light):
"LIGHT ASSY, License Plate, repro, wire insulation is black nylon where original was black woven cloth."

Could the OPs light be a repro? Different supplier?  I'd have to crawl under my 70 to see what it has, but my 65 and 67 cars both have the woven sleeve.

[Anghelrestorations]

1969 and 1970 is the same exact license plate light assembly - no difference.  They do not use a woven material. 
But staying on topic of the original post question and photos it would not make any sense to take the wiring harness apart as the question is how to prepare the metal to get replated.  I would strongly discourage doing that.

I dont normally use NPD online as a source of information, but looking at their description of the link you sent I can just say its wrong.  The woven sleeve was used on the earlier Mustangs not the 69 and 70 model years. 

[specialed]

 Some Ford service replacement 69-70 tag lights had the  early woven type covering on the  wire but all assembly line types  i have seen had the rubber tubing type wire. These tag lights look the same as cougar but mustang has MG stamped and cougar CR if i remember correctly so u have to be carefull when u buy them.

[Aussiemach]

Thanks everyone, mine had a cougar cr light on it, any chance that some of these were used on assembly line? Or do I go with the mg version I have to replace it with ?

[Anghelrestorations]

Very unlikely that a Cougar light would be on there from the factory.  Its possible, but the real question is whats correct for your car.... and the MG version is correct.  I would put that back on since they are not a hard to find part. 

[J_Speegle]

Thanks everyone, mine had a cougar cr light on it, any chance that some of these were used on assembly line? Or do I go with the mg version I have to replace it with ?

IF there was one installed at the plant it was likely a mistake, accidentally got dropped in the wrong bin. Agree its best to fix the mistake if it was done that way as it also could be the results of a repair or replacement over the last 50 or so years.