1996 Dodge Dakota Pain in The Butt

[Dibbons]

Just to change left front turn signal bulb:

On my 1996, the two upper phillips screws for the bezel are in plain sight after opening the hood. However, the two lower screws were accessed behind the bumper, could not even see them in front, no space at all between the bezel and the bumper. Needed a 1/4" ratchet with a phillips attachment. One screw was glued in or stripped or something, had to ratchet it out all the way. The screws are inserted in plastic, one would not think there would have been such a battle. Even after removing the four screws, the bezel could not be pulled out. I had to remove four screws from the grill, and pull the corner of the grill out and away from the passenger side bezel (where I was working) to free the bezel which shared a tab and screw with the grille. Pain in the butt, just to change a turn signal lamp, laying on my back for a long time and straining to reach the fasteners. Been working on vehicles since the 1970's and never saw anything like this before. It's like doing brain surgery to remove someone's appendix.

 

[F4R/T]

Can’t reach around the backside or under the battery box... I know my headlamps come out easy but I don’t recall the turn signal bulbs

 

[70chall440]

Yeah normally you need to remove the headlight, or better said it makes it a lot easier.

 

[Dibbons]

Changed the bulb but the parking light still did not work. Tried the turn signal, which worked, but the new "Valucraft" 3157 bulb spewed out a milky white liquid inside the bulb (see first photo). I wonder what that is?

What I didn't mention is for a long time now, when I turn on the parking lights, the left green arrow for the turn signal comes on the dash. The left front turn signal socket wiring goes almost immediately into the wrapped wiring harness. Looks like going to be a bugger to track down the problem.

The old bulb that I removed has a glass base and the filaments don't appear to be burned through/burned out. The new "Valuecraft" bulbs have a plastic base (see second photo).

 

[Dibbons]

Bulb Failure Chart

 

[Slap Stick]

On my 92 both the headlight and turn signal bulb are accessed from under the hood. Its a tight fit but for more access remove the battery and the battery tray.
92-96 are the same.
That white milky stuff was a burned out filament.
Remember what flash bulbs looked like after use?

 

[Dibbons]

Must have been cracked, brand new bulb.