2023 22MLE How to remove puck lights from ceiling

Harvestmoon

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2021
Messages
177
Location
Wisconsin
We have a 2023 22MLE, and after a particularly rough ride through highway construction zone, the front section of ceiling lights stopped working along with the over-bed lights, motion sensor light over the main entry door, and the exterior awning light. The rear section of ceiling lights are still working. Given that all of the ceiling lights are on the same circuit and the rear half are still working, and the over bed lights and awning light are on different circuits, I am suspecting an open ground that is common to all of them. Given the quality of crimps I have found elsewhere in the unit, frankly I was expecting something like this to happen sooner or later.

I am trying to pull down the puck lights out of the ceiling to check the connections. It seems like it should be simple enough to do but I am stumped how to get them out of their holes. I can pull down far enough to see the two spring clips that hold them up. I've searched and found youtube videos of older style, larger diameter (4-5") puck lights with similar spring clips that just tilt out. These are a smaller diameter (about 3") lights and I've tried all manner of tilting this way and that and I cannot get the clip to clear the edge of the hole. Not sure what else to try without hyper-extending/breaking a clip or cracking the ceiling. What am I missing? Thanks.
 
Pull them down as you have done, then use a flat head screwdriver or something to push one of the spring clips in toward the light and continue to pull down. Just watch your fingers as those suckers have quite a snap force and it feels about as good as sticking a finger into a mouse trap. You just need more force. It won't hurt anything but your fingers...
 
Thanks Riverbug. This is exactly what I needed. I used a flat blade screwdriver against the base of the spring and used that to pry firmly (but gently) against the edge of the ceiling hole. This exposed enough of the spring that I was able to get a fingertip inside the opening of the spring clamp and pull down firmly (but gently) to slide it out. Having my finger inside the spring also kept it from snapping on me.

And my lighting issue is now resolved. It was exactly what I though it was. I pulled the first light in the string that was out, and those connections were fine. Then I pulled the last light that was still on and the ground wire came out unattached. (Since it had still been working, the ground wire must have been making contact until I pulled the light out.) I fished around the inside the ceiling with my finger and found the incoming and outgoing ground wires and the offending wire crimp that no longer had any wires in it. I don't know about you all but when I make a wire crimp, I expect the wire to break before it would pull out of the crimp. Remade the connection and good to go.
 
Thanks Riverbug. This is exactly what I needed. I used a flat blade screwdriver against the base of the spring and used that to pry firmly (but gently) against the edge of the ceiling hole. This exposed enough of the spring that I was able to get a fingertip inside the opening of the spring clamp and pull down firmly (but gently) to slide it out. Having my finger inside the spring also kept it from snapping on me.

And my lighting issue is now resolved. It was exactly what I though it was. I pulled the first light in the string that was out, and those connections were fine. Then I pulled the last light that was still on and the ground wire came out unattached. (Since it had still been working, the ground wire must have been making contact until I pulled the light out.) I fished around the inside the ceiling with my finger and found the incoming and outgoing ground wires and the offending wire crimp that no longer had any wires in it. I don't know about you all but when I make a wire crimp, I expect the wire to break before it would pull out of the crimp. Remade the connection and good to go.

Glad that worked out and you found the issue. I'm rarely surprised anymore regarding the level of workmanship in RV's. I've had various brands of motorhomes and travel trailers over the years. I've refurbished a couple older models and while the materials have changed over the years, such as sandwiched rigid insulation in the walls vs fiberglass batting (minimal at best), the workmanship has remained about the same. That is to say, perplexing at times. Owning an RV is a great way to hone your handyperson skills. :eek:
 

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