How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
#808061
09/19/10 02:33 PM
09/19/10 02:33 PM
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With our Mopars reaching the 30,40,and even 50 year old mark,it is inevitable problems may occur with the lighting systems on our cars. I am focusing on the tail lights and front turn signal/park lamp assemblies. The majority of the bulb sockets are permanently pressed or stamped into the housings. The housings were made of either white metal,potmetal,or aluminum and corrode easily. In the majority of Mopars,these housings are also used as a ground supply to the bulbs. As the corrosion takes over,the resistance increases and bulbs are dim,or feedback into the system,pop fuses,or just plain quit. Add dry rotted or missing lense gaskets,broken or cracked lenses that invite the elements in,and the sockets take a beating.
I had seen people search high and low for housings just to replace one bad socket. Some models do not have repop housings,or used ones are either no better than what you already got.Good used ones or NOS command a premium price--if they ever become available.
So what's a poor guy to do?
I will show step by step on a repair I have been doing and proved it works. I butcher the sockets out of the housings and modify them to fit modern day twist lock style bulb sockets. Now this is for those who drive their cars. OE Gold or 100 point people make not like the butchering I am going to do,LOL!! But when finished,nobody would know the difference cosmetically.. Tools : die grinder with cutting wheel dremel tool with various sized stones and cutting wheels hammer chisel or old flatheat screwdriver solder gun and solder Parts: plastic twistlok bulb socket found at any parts store. wire ends,butt connectors,shrink tube I butchered two differnt housings in the pics for clarity.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808062
09/19/10 02:40 PM
09/19/10 02:40 PM
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This example show some corrosion around the socket.Not bad--but enough to feeback into the curcuit and pop fuses.Moisture got in from the dry rotted lense gasket. Note how corroded the housing body is from being out in the open from the elements.That alone can cause a bad ground.you can see where I cleaned up around the mounting screws but that did not help.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808063
09/19/10 02:47 PM
09/19/10 02:47 PM
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Ok.No turning back from here.. Put the housing in a vise,and cut the socket out as close as possible to the housing DO NOT CUT INTO THE HOUSING!!
Last edited by 68Cbarge; 09/19/10 02:49 PM.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808065
09/19/10 03:18 PM
09/19/10 03:18 PM
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Using a hammer and chisel or old beat up flat head screwdriver,carefully chip away the remains of the socket. It is not uncommon to see the hole be thin or out of round from years of corrosion.That alone can be the culprit of a bad ground.
Last edited by 68Cbarge; 09/19/10 04:33 PM.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808066
09/19/10 03:22 PM
09/19/10 03:22 PM
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The modern twist-lock style sockets have three tabs that keep it tight in the housing. Also,they come with an extra wire needed to ground the bulb.If the housing is really crusty,this wire will bypass it for a better ground.
Last edited by 68Cbarge; 09/19/10 04:37 PM.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808068
09/19/10 03:33 PM
09/19/10 03:33 PM
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Using the dremel,make the slots in the housing. Also it may be necessary to make the hole in the housing larger. ALWAYS GRIND LITTLE AT A TIME AND TEST FIT OFTEN! One shot deal to make this work and if the holes are too big the housing is junk.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808070
09/19/10 03:44 PM
09/19/10 03:44 PM
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Socket will pop in,twist it tight and ready for a new bulb.You can use foam or cork gasket between the housing and socket to keep moisture out . In some applications you may have to install the bulb after installing the socket into the housing.
Last edited by 68Cbarge; 09/19/10 03:46 PM.
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808072
09/19/10 03:57 PM
09/19/10 03:57 PM
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Now to the electrical part. Cut and solder the car's wires to the new socket. I always solder and use shrink tubes to keep moisture out. As mentioned before the new sockets have an extra wire for ground. Use a piece of wire and a connector and screw it down to a good ground source that has meat on it. Tailpanel,inner fender,bumper bracket--anything,you get the idea..
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 68Cbarge]
#808073
09/19/10 04:10 PM
09/19/10 04:10 PM
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All that is left is install the housing back into the car and enjoy. No more "crossed" signals,LOL!! In some cars,the twist lock socket makes bulb replacement easy without having to remove the lense,or dissassemble the housing from the car. Restoring C bodies,I leaerned that it makes one a little more creative since their is very little or no aftermarket suppliers. I know that used A/B/E housings are drying up,and repops are expensive. Hope this helps all Moparts members.. Cheers!! Leaburn
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: Fab64]
#808075
09/19/10 08:54 PM
09/19/10 08:54 PM
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Posts: 3,535 Canuckville
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Thank you! Though not an original idea,it is still a great and cheap alternative.
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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Re: How to fix unrepairable bulb sockets
[Re: 71rm23]
#808078
09/20/10 12:03 AM
09/20/10 12:03 AM
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Thanks. Mods? Think this deserves to be a sticky??
'68 Newport Custom Barge on a Budget!! BOAB 1973 Satellite WAGON! 318- 3 on the tree!! 2008 Chrysler 300c HEMI!
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