E and G light

[Grand1]

I have a 2004 grand marquis, cloth top.

The side lamps are in a chrome like housing labeled "e and g"

Anyone know a source for changing the lights within?
The light itself looks rectangular and is made of plastic

[gadget73]

Do you by chance have the owner's manual? It may have destructions inside. Failing that, see if you can find what looks like a screwdriver slot along the edge. If it has one, usually you stick a screwdriver into that slot and carefully pry out the lens to get at the bulb.

[bigbeigeboat]

Do you mean the bulb in the coach /opera lights ?

If the "bulb" itself looks like plastic, its an electrolumenescent strip that runs on high voltage AC from a transformer in the roof pillar and I believe is still a dealer item

[Grand1]

@ bigbeigeboat

You got it!
Thanks man

[bigbeigeboat]

Is it dim or not coming on at all?
unless its is obviously damaged there is really nothing to go wrong with them. They have a half-life of about 7000 hours then they start dimming.
If its not coming on at all I'd look for a wiring problem. There should be between 50-90 VAC and almost no amps coming from the transformer.

[Grand1]

Is it dim or not coming on at all?
unless its is obviously damaged there is really nothing to go wrong with them. They have a half-life of about 7000 hours then they start dimming.
If its not coming on at all I'd look for a wiring problem. There should be between 50-90 VAC and almost no amps coming from the transformer.

There still good to go...was wondering if one could replace it with a different color light

[bigbeigeboat]

yes you can, but (and its a big but)

you have to buy a cut-to-fit panels and cut it to shape maintaining the tabs on one end. you can also get 1" x1' strips.
you will be replacing the ford transformer with an inverter/driver thats matched to the new panel and your doing your own wiring with high voltage


you'd need two these kits to rewire boths sides

http://www.glowhut.com/a6-electroluminescent-panel-with-a6-el-invert67.html

http://www.glowhut.com/electroluminescent-panelel-tapeback-light-with-12v-invert12.html

it lends itself well to custom work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=ndxr6gDWnI4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf2_Nv1JpPw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMNJuoyIVhc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2e1lQh32W0

hook your opera lights up to the stereo preamp out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMNJuoyIVhc&feature=related

I'm going to be putting a strip of red EL tape in the top or the rear window tied into a brake line pressure switch as a 3rd brake light in the town car.

[Grand1]

Thanks for the detailed info....my fabrication skills are nill, but I might try my hand on this

[Grand1]

or go here and paint the strip a diffferent color?

http://stores.ebay.com/bandsaw-tires-shopsmiths-cadillacs/FORD-SUPER-DUTY-/_i.html?_fsub=1773716015