Odd things with lights

[kyngfish]

Hi all. These past few weeks I've had a few odd things happen with the lights and I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences.

The front signal light bulb went out, and I replaced it, and despite fitting the new bulb correctly, it didn't seem to want to come on at first, then I took it out and put it back and it was fine.

The rear driver's side light/brake light combo came on with the lights, but the "brake" at first was working dimly, then didn't work at all. I replaced the bulb and the replacement bulb didn't work at all. So then I stuck the old bulb back in and it worked.

The fuses seem to be OK, but I gotta be honest, the wiring looks a mess.

Anything I should worry about or review?

[DRACO A5OG]

Yes, you need proper working brake lights.

Almost always it is a bad ground related when it comes to our electrical connections.

You may have two issues:

1. front, the ground is most likely corroded and as well as the connector behind the assembly. I suggest removing it and be very careful to see how the wiring is connected as these wires are super short and as soon as you pull the assembly out the will disconnect.

2. brake light, most like the PCB board type assembly behind the fixture is broken or ready to break and it is possibly shorting out. Unfortunately, the assembly needs to be removed and then the back of the assembly taken off to gain access to the wires. Pay a close attention to the sockets that they are not loose. That is a sign of a breaking PCB board type material.

Take pics of your work so you will know how to re-assemble.

Jim

[DRACO A5OG]

These tend to fracture over time and when we keep prying out the connector tabs thinking they are tightening the contacts.

[Hoss911sc]

I've recently dealt with these issues with the brake lights. The 2 contacts in the housing and basically cantilevered copper strips. In my case the running light was fine but the brake light was not making consistent contact and the bulb was a little loose in the fitting.

Per another Pelican's suggestion in another thread, I first tried to pull out on the two contacts to snug the fit but it didn't work consistently. Then I added some solder to the 2 contacts on the bulbs and then fit/filed until they just fit snugly in the housing and that has solved my issues. You might try this before removing the assemblies, unless you need them out for other maintenance like replacing the seal. Hope this helps..

[nineball]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

The rear driver's side light/brake light combo came on with the lights, but the "brake" at first was working dimly, then didn't work at all. I replaced the bulb and the replacement bulb didn't work at all. So then I stuck the old bulb back in and it worked.

did you try to rotate the new bulb 180 degrees? if memory serves they have to be installed one way to work.

[matthewb0051]

You can also use an eraser on the end of a pencil to clean the contacts. Make sure to use one that is already scuffed up and try to hold the contact with something else to not bend it backwards.

Old trick from SINCGARS military radio connections.

[steely]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

You can also use an eraser on the end of a pencil to clean the contacts. Make sure to use one that is already scuffed up and try to hold the contact with something else to not bend it backwards.

Old trick from SINCGARS military radio connections.

+1 ha ha, this was the first thing I thought of too (from even before sincgars)

Start with cleaning the socket before you progress to the wiring.