Thread: Tail Light Socket is bad - trying to disassemble and fix

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  1. #1 Tail Light Socket is bad - trying to disassemble and fix 
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    I've had tail light issues (as many others have) for a few months. The stock tail lights were filling up with water.. so I ordered aftermarket replacements and installed them this week. I assumed the water was shorting the bulbs out, but now I'm finding out that the socket that the center lamp that stays on, and also is the brake light, is not connecting properly. When I plug the new led plug into that socket, it will sporadically connect but never stay on. I tried using a small screwdriver to adjust the contacts in the socket so that they made more contact, but it doesn't seem to be working. My last resort is to go the the salvage yard and find a new socket, but I wondered if anyone has ever had success in taking it apart. It has 2 tabs on either side that you can depress and possibly remove the inner part, but no matter how I try it doesn't want to budge.
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  2. #2 Re: Tail Light Socket is bad - trying to disassemble and fix 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    you can buy new sockets. cut and solder them on.

    id try some sand paper in the sockets first, then some bulb grease if it still dont work replace the sockets.

    led's have their own issues, so make sure its not them, try the normal bulbs again too.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  3. #3 Re: Tail Light Socket is bad - trying to disassemble and fix 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    come think of it, the sockets may unplug from the harness. my fronts did. very small plug at the end. not sure about the rears, aint seen mine in years now.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  4. #4 Re: Tail Light Socket is bad - trying to disassemble and fix 
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    Ended up being the socket. Got a new one wired on and it fixed the problem. Just took a trip to the junk yard to find it!
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