Signal and reverse bulbs!

[70f10rat]

I ordered some parts from lmc along with new bulbs and I cannot get them in! They won't make the quarter turn to lock in place?
Any suggestions? Anyone else have or had this issue?

Thanks!

[1972hiboy]

yeah, it happens. Make sure you got the notches on the right side. sometimes what I do is take the bulb itself and gently rub the lead contact on the ground to grind away a little bit and try re-installing and repeat until you can get it to lock in.

[70f10rat]

I see what's goin on. The plunger on the signals isn't retracting to lock bulbs in....I'll check lmc, can you just buy the bulb socket and pigtails?

On the reverse bulbs, lmc seems to have a typo with pn's on the reverse light bulbs. They say the brake bulbs, reverse and signal bulbs are all the same. The reverse sockets only have a contact on center where as the front signals and bulbs have two contacts...?
Is this correct or do I need different bulbs for the reverse lights?

[tac]

1156 for single light only for backup or taillight only. 1157 for duals that have parking/tail light and signal/brake in same bulb. Should be able to get these at local auto parts.

[68RGR]

I think you identified the problem - The spring-loaded center contact in the socket may be stuck in place. Or, the spring may be stronger than you think. No one wants to break a new bulb so you have to be careful with them. Try using a wood or plastic rod to "exercise" the center pin by pushing it in and letting it pop out a few times. On the bayonet based bulbs like these, I have even pulled on the wire that is attached to the socket's center contact to "retract" it in order to make it easier to get the bulb into the socket. Of course, if the wire breaks or pulls out of the contact, you've got a bigger problem. You should be able to find the sockets locally, if you need them. Plus, there's always a junk yard. But, the newer vehicles use all sorts of weird based bulbs so you'll have to find a junker with a bit of age on it.

[70f10rat]

The plunger won't come out far enough. How would I go about replacing the socket? It seems like it's pressed onto the signal housing?

[tac]

Maybe this will help.
http://www.mustangsteve.com/taillightsocket.html

[70f10rat]

Cool going to grab these now! Will post up how it turns out

[70f10rat]

Ok temporarily hooked up wires on the new socket. The signal works but the parklight/running lights aren't working. I'll look through diagrams. I flip flopped wires to no avail. Want to sort this out before I solder everything up

[tac]

Are the tail lights working? Doesn't the headlight switch have 2 positions and the front parking lights only work in the first position and not when the headlights are on.

[70f10rat]

Yes first position they don't come on...the diagrams show a ground attached to the left signal housing that may be the issue. Will post up as soon as I go mess with it! It's freezing

[70f10rat]

Everything wired and works as it should! Thanks for the help! Onto the next wiring post...