Where did this spring come from???(turn signal question)

[ChemMan]

I have had problems with some of my exterior bulbs not working. Mostly it seems because of poor electrical contact. I removed the turn signal bulb and started to pry up the 2 metal pieces just a bit. The whole light assembly popped out and I now have a spring and a hexagonal metal "washer" out of place. ( I know it is not a washer, but hopefully you know what I mean. ) I figure the spring goes in the plastic cylinder that the bulb fits in, but where does the hex thing go? There does not seem to be a plave for it to fit securely. Sorry if this is a stupid question. I decided to come in and ask instead of staying out side longer.(also changed the hood strut). The 20 deg temp got to me.
Mike

[ChemMan]

Never mind. I brought it inside. Made a lot more sense after a cup of coffee and sitting at the kitchen table.
Mike

[kyngfish]

Just for posterity. This post is so old, but I ran into this issue today and I could only find this post, and I wish Chem man had posted his solution. I don't know if my solution is right, but it worked and here it is:

I spent two hours trying to figure this out. essentially, I was having an issue where my front blinker bulb would work sometimes and not others. I assumed there was a loose connection somewhere and decided to open up the housing. When I did I realized that the reflector is actually hooked up as part of the wiring, and that a spring behind the reflector pushes the plastic mount for the contacts into the light bulb. The spring had shifted and was no longer pressing the bulb properly.

The main issue is that when it all comes apart, everything is so tight behind the reflector, it's nearly impossible to fix the wiring while the housing is still in the bumper. I was able to do it with some needle nosed pliers, and a lot of patience.

In the end, the hardest thing was the spring at the rear of the housing. It had fallen off. I can't confirm without removing the other reflector, which I don't want to do because getting it back together was a mission. I think the little hexagon washer looking thing is a shim for behind the spring, and sticking to the back of the housing. I reattached the shim to the back of the housing and the spring with some 3M two sided tape. The spring was then able to push the black plastic mount for the light contacts into the back of the bulb more effectively, solving my problem.

Picture of the housing and the reflector partially removed below:

[ChemMan]

I wish I remember this even happening let alone the solution! Glad you figured it out though.