Removed lens housing from the middle of my '00 CX spoiler to change the bulb, twisted out the bulb wiring socket from the housing and when I tugged it loose the bulb remained inside the housing.

Somehow the bulb is actually larger than the opening the wiring socket twists into. The housing appears to be all one piece as the bulb should (logically) come out the socket hole. I can always smash the bulb, it will come out once it's in pieces but first...

Just looking for confirmation: the proper size 3rd brake light bulb on a '00 hatch will fit through the opening for the wiring socket, correct?

Insert bulb into wiring socket, insert bulb/socket into housing & twist to lock in place à la front corner lights on an EF, this is how I understand it. Just wanted to make sure I'm not missing something, for example, the red lens snaps away from the rest of the housing or something. It certainly doesn't appear to.

TIA.

 

OK. Got it all sorted out.

Smashed out the old bulb and replaced w/a 904.

The book actually called for a 7440 or similar bulb which was, in fact, too big for the opening also. WTF is up w/that?

So, problem solved but the thread is still open to any more input/info etc. for anyone else in the future that may need to dig this up via search.