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worn light socket/ bulbs?

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Old Jun 3, 2017 | 11:10 AM
  #1  
truckman5000's Avatar
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W30
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 529
From: Cape Cod Ma
worn light socket/ bulbs?

Im having troubles with lighting.
Seems like half of the exterior lights ( tails, marker, ) dont work, there is power.
If i jiggle the bulb around they work. The bulbs are the correct kind, but maybee there is a different manufacture that makes tighter fitting bulbs? Or do i have to replace the sockets?
Thanks
Old Jun 3, 2017 | 11:45 AM
  #2  
oldcutlass's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,496
From: Poteau, Ok
You need a light socket brush and some electronic contact cleaner. Also make sure the spring loaded wire contacts are not corroded so the wires and contacts move freely.

Old Jun 3, 2017 | 12:23 PM
  #3  
Fun71's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,409
From: Phoenix, AZ
The contacts down in the socket have springs beneath them to maintain pressure on the base of the bulb. Many times there is grease around the springs that can get hard and full of dirt, which prevents the spring from pushing the contact against the bulb. The springs can also corrode and fall apart, with the same results. Hard grease / dirt can be cleaned out as oldcutlass posted. Broken springs is a bit more work, but can be repaired.
Old Jun 3, 2017 | 03:00 PM
  #4  
RandyS's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,972
From: New Mexico
Originally Posted by Fun71
The contacts down in the socket have springs beneath them to maintain pressure on the base of the bulb. Many times there is grease around the springs that can get hard and full of dirt, which prevents the spring from pushing the contact against the bulb. The springs can also corrode and fall apart, with the same results. Hard grease / dirt can be cleaned out as oldcutlass posted. Broken springs is a bit more work, but can be repaired.
They can actually be replaced with part of one from a ball point pen.
Old Jun 3, 2017 | 05:54 PM
  #5  
RetroRanger's Avatar
72 Olds CS
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
To help free up the contacts and springs I squirt the bottom of the socket w wd40 it dissolves grease sometimes you have to push and pull the wire slightly to free it up once free I use bulb grease in the socket. When the socket base sticks it can make intermittent contact.
Old Jun 4, 2017 | 04:36 AM
  #6  
truckman5000's Avatar
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W30
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 529
From: Cape Cod Ma
cool, thanks guys
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