Replacing Rear Signal/Brake Light Socket

[Burkely]

Hey Folks,

I'm hoping you guys can help me out here

I've been going through none stop issues with my rear signal/brake light for the past few months. It's been bulb after bulb after bulb. Well, changing bulbs isnt working anymore. The sockets are definitely finished.

I went to replace yet another bulb, and when looking into where the bulbs meet the sockets, they're just corroded and finished for. When I move the bulbs a certain way, they start flashing.

I have absolutely no idea how to change the sockets. Money is tight until the new year, and this 2001 Sunfire is all we have to drive around until Mid January.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction where i can find some instructions on how to change these sockets so I can get some Brake and signal lights going for the holidays.

They'll be the sockets with the side marker.

Thanks in advance!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

 

[EaOutlaw]

try to clean your sockets first.

If you get a shallow plastic party cup or spray can cap and fill it with 50/50 vinegar with table salt added to the solution.

Soak the socket and one to two inches of the wiring in this cup from 10 minutes to 2 hours if needed.

Then clean the contacts with some q-tips and or fine grade sand paper glued to a cut down ( narrowed to fit in to the socket ) Popsicle stick or thin cut down ladies finger nail sanding board, use anything you can to get in the socket to scrap away the corrosion.

Then flush the socket with clean water, then soak the connector in a baking soda water solution then flush again with clean water the baking soda will neutralize the acid from the vinegar.

here is a few videos to give you an idea of what I am talking about, the second video shows removing the connector this does not apply to you but he is a little more informative

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxgcfzyOX9k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkw_52rFHU8

Once the socket has had time to dry inspect your work with a magnifying glass to make sure the connection is clean and solid enough for a temporary repair try reinstalling and testing the bulb or bulbs if they work again and the connections look good again, put some dielectric compound grease inside the sockets to protect the connectors from further corrosion. petrolatum jelly works as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC2HVoHWNLA

If after you clean the sockets all of them, not just the ones your having a problem with, if you find that the connector is too severely corroded to make a good connection let us know and well help you with replacing the sockets.

Since you need to save some money during the holidays the above tips should get you working lights. if not let us know.

Good luck and Happy Holidays

 

[Lemming]

Have you tried your local junkyard?? It's a fairly common socket, my old Chevy S-10 has the same socket as my Sunfire.

Cut one out of a junked car, if you can't solder the donor socket in, then use wire nuts and electrical tape...

Just my two cents.

Best of luck.

 

[dannysung]

Hey Folks,

I'm hoping you guys can help me out here

I've been going through none stop issues with my rear signal/brake light for the past few months. It's been bulb after bulb after bulb. Well, changing bulbs isnt working anymore. The sockets are definitely finished.

I went to replace yet another bulb, and when looking into where the bulbs meet the sockets, they're just corroded and finished for. When I move the bulbs a certain way, they start flashing.

I have absolutely no idea how to change the sockets. Money is tight until the new year, and this 2001 Sunfire is all we have to drive around until Mid January.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction where i can find some instructions on how to change these sockets so I can get some Brake and signal lights going for the holidays.

They'll be the sockets with the side marker.

Thanks in advance!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

You can replace the socket it cost around $11 and easy to change