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Electrical => Electrical => Topic started by: BuickGS65 on September 16, 2011, 10:59:56 AM

Title: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: BuickGS65 on September 16, 2011, 10:59:56 AM
Hi Guys:

I'm getting ready to install my freshly-restored front turn signal housings (thanks Mark!  :thumbsup: ).  I put some new bulbs in the sockets (after a very light application of "bulb grease").  However, both bulbs seem a little loose in the sockets, to the point where they can "rattle" in the socket.  Has anyone come across this problem? Solution?

Bulbs are 1157's...

Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: GranSportSedan on September 16, 2011, 11:42:21 AM
I find this same problem in the tail light sockets. i am going to try adding a bit of solder to the contact tips on the bulbs to see if it helps
Title: Re: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: GranSportSedan on September 16, 2011, 11:49:46 AM
Dan,
 I just went out to the garage and used my soldering iron to build up the contact tips on a new 1157 bulb and it solved the loose bulb issue. this means a good solid ground contact and no intermittent light issues
Title: Re: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: GranSportSedan on September 16, 2011, 05:59:49 PM
Just finished doing that to all my tail light bulbs and now they are all tight and actually work all the time
Title: Re: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: BuickGS65 on September 16, 2011, 07:25:00 PM
Thanks for the tip... What's your technique with the solder & soldering iron?
Title: Re: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: Chris on September 16, 2011, 07:58:26 PM
Dan,

If you can push the wires forward and expose the little springs around the contacts, sometimes you can pull on the springs which will stretch them back out and this will push the contacts out towards the buld and help the buld seat tighter in the socket.

Just be careful not to stretch the spring too much or you'll have a hard time getting the bulb back in there.  :)

Chris
Title: Re: Loose front turn signal bulbs
Post by: BuickGS65 on September 17, 2011, 12:30:04 AM
Dan,

If you can push the wires forward and expose the little springs around the contacts, sometimes you can pull on the springs which will stretch them back out and this will push the contacts out towards the bulb and help the bulb seat tighter in the socket.

Just be careful not to stretch the spring too much or you'll have a hard time getting the bulb back in there.  :)

Chris

Chris - you were right!!!! thanks buddy!