Can’t get new reverse light bulb back in socket on my 1972 Plymouth Satellite

[tonyp25]

So the old bulbs were rusted and not working. I got them out, cleaned the contacts and when the new bulb touches the contact it now lights up just fine. However even with bulb grease I can’t get the bulb to stay in. They just keep popping out. Almost like they aren’t in all the way but I’ve confirmed they are identical to the ones that came out (1156’s). Is my only option to solder in new connectors?

Has anyone had this happen before?

 

[eldubb440]

did you turn it so the little dude slides into the thingy?

is the spring allowing the bottom contact to move enough?

 

[Charles Cook]

Rotate the bulb then try it. It goes in and turns only one way. If it doesn’t go in one way, rotate the bulb and try again.

 

[WileE]

Are you depressing the bulb enough so the tits slides into the holes ?

 

[eldubb440]

View attachment 1856677View attachment 1856678 Are you depressing the bulb enough so the tits slides into the holes ?

you dont like "dude and thingy"?

 

[WileE]

you dont like "dude and thingy"?

Hell no !!! I prefer tits and holes ! ( as a description of the mechanical parts, of course. Any other inference is at the discretion of one's wayward mind... )

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I have had problems with Chinese junk bulbs not lining up correctly to the holes. It could be the bulbs, unless those are the same bulbs that you took out, then never mind. If they aren’t, check them against the other bulbs.

 

[dadsbee]

Pull back on the wiring harness, like grabbing a chicks hair.. but not quite that hard, stick it in and turn it clockwise!

 

[WileE]

Pull back on the wiring harness, like grabbing a chicks hair.. but not quite that hard, stick it in and turn it clockwise!

Can we get back to the subject of the bulb, now ?

 

[kiwigtx]

So the old bulbs were rusted and not working. I got them out, cleaned the contacts and when the new bulb touches the contact it now lights up just fine. However even with bulb grease I can’t get the bulb to stay in. They just keep popping out. Almost like they aren’t in all the way but I’ve confirmed they are identical to the ones that came out (1156’s). Is my only option to solder in new connectors?

Has anyone had this happen before?

OK, before this thread goes off the rails.... can we get a picture or two please???

I'm thinking he has the wrong Lamp, and maybe has one with offset location studs, instead of parallel studs.

Bulbs grow in the garden.



Careful now or I'll set Bob onto you lot.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

OK, before this thread goes off the rails.... can we get a picture or two please???

I'm thinking he has the wrong Lamp, and maybe has one with offset location studs, instead of parallel studs.

He already told it got the 1156 BULB (LOL), which is parallel.

My thought is socket is enlarged or worn so is not catching the retaining BULB pins

It could be also the BULB pins are “sank” or pressed into the BULB base. It happened to me couple of times got a BULB with this issue.

What could be made? get a large plyer to try to “close” GENTLY the socket opening from back.. dunno if you know what I mean.

 

[kiwigtx]

Rusted springs can be a problem also.

Cleaning on the visible part of the lampholder is one thing, but are the springs inside clean and able to run free?

 

[tonyp25]

Well all, now I can’t even get either of the reverse lights to light up when pressing the lamp bulb against the contact. Lamp bulbs won’t stay in either. I think the sockets are just too far gone and rusted. How often am I backing up any way? I was thinking of trying a few different brands of 1156s but I no longer think that’s the problem.

 

[440 4 speed]

Put the sockets in something that penetrates rust. I feel compassion for you and those sockets. Makes me grateful that we live where we do. We complain about cold and snow.
The only car I have seen about half that bad is a parts car from I think Michigan.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Well all, now I can’t even get either of the reverse lights to light up when pressing the lamp bulb against the contact. Lamp bulbs won’t stay in either. I think the sockets are just too far gone and rusted. How often am I backing up any way? I was thinking of trying a few different brands of 1156s but I no longer think that’s the problem.

View attachment 1857906

A picture is worth a thousand words. I think you identified your problem. Time for new sockets or housings.

 

[Carcinogen]

I had problems with bad tail light springs/sockets not making contact. After cleaning, spring was shot, bulb not making contact.

What I did was get a soldering gun and add more solder on bulb contact to make it taller. Trial fit then filed them down until they twisted in. Still need to replace the whole socket and wire but this works.