park lights help

[72Richb UK]

changing out the bulbs on my park lights as they seem a bit dim & I don't know how old they are, I put the new bulb in and it's flopping around in the socket like you wouldn't believe and won't work unless I hold it in position!! decided I couldn't have that so put the old bulb back in & damn me if that now doesn't fit properly either!! any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Rich

[sargentrs]

Sounds like your socket got deformed or stretched out. Put your old bulb back in and CAREFULLY squeeze the socket around it. Pay particular attention to the slots on the inside of the socket. That's what makes the ground connection. You only need to shrink it a hair.

[TNIceWolf]

sargentrs is right.......the bullb has two different height on the pins and slots. It has to be installed with the correct orientation. If someone forced it the other way you are looking at a delicate repair or a complete replacement.

[cep62]

The older type of socket have a metal spring that can stick or break.
if you're lucky a little oil and wire brushing can revive them.

[72Richb UK]

ok, thanks guys, will see what I can do today, Cep62, don't think mine has a spring.. will keep you posted.

Rich, UK

[motzingg]

it should have a spring behind a wafer of phenolic, and the two solder contact buttons sit in the wafer. The wafer can get cocked to the side and bind the spring so it wont pop forward.

get some di-electric grease and a round wire brush (like they use for cleaning soldered pipe joints- it will be in the soldering section of your hardware store) clean out the crusties and lube it up.

my sockets that i just did yesterday were pretty wallered-out, but with spring tension the bulb is still snug holding against those pins.