'83 SC, Can A Brake Light Bulb Be Installed Wrong?
 

Ok,

Odd question as far as I am concerned but hey, I'm not too proud.

The other day someone pointed out that my driver's side brake light looked like it was on with my driving lights.

Looked into it this evening to see if it had the wrong bulb installed. I goofed around with it some and noticed if I flipped it around (installed upside down from how it was installed originally) it worked correctly.

Is this possible, or did I have a few too many beers this evening?

Thanks, Gordo

Yes. Take it out, rotate it 180 degrees, then put it back in. But you already did that... I didn't have enough beers :)

It should *not* be possible ( cuz if you look at the little nubs on the base of the bulb, they are staggered so it will only go in one way )..

But forcing it *does* make it possible..

I have seen single filament bulbs inserted into holders designed for double filament bulbs ( which is the type of bulb you were 'fooling' with).
This takes a lot of forcing but is possible as well. This *can* cause ALL KINDS of electrical malfunction ( like headlights turning on when one presses the brake pedal...)

Staggered = Angled?
 

I noticed that the "nubs" look like they are ground to an angle, is this what you mean?

Oddly enough, I removed both to look at them and noticed one bulb had "angled" nubs, the other were normal/rounded.

I broke the angled one trying to get it re-installed, I assume I was trying to install it incorrectly? Couldn't get it seated.

Gordo

I think a picture would explain better

http://www.supportware.net/misc/115x.jpg

Thanks
 

That does clear it up...

Looked again and found that the filaments for the 2 bulbs are opposite when lined up by the "nubs". The thinner filament is on top of one, bottom of the other when lined up.

I think it had the wrong bulb installed vice installed backwards.

Gordo