2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission License Plate lights!

[WTBurke]

So the other day I noted a light out no biggie right ?

Well I remove the lens cover and found the bulb black of course but, it's stuck in the socket. The socket is a combination assembly and moisture gasket made from a funny soft white plastic. (two wire leads with plug)

The factory has put that fleshy brown colored poo-poo in the socket to prevent the bulb (194 type) from sticking and aid in moisture incursion.



This Poo-Poo has eaten and softened the plastic socket !

As I work to remove the bulb the entire socket falls apart, cracks and is a pile of (you know what) in my hands!



So... down to the dealership... ah... part number 56018807 2 each required...

Holy cow $15. 30 apiece with the two wire leads and connector assembly!



The 194 bulb draws . 33 amps

Type 161 bulb draws . 18 amps (ashtray bulb) less luminance= less heat



Hence I belive the higher current 194 bulb cooked away with the Poo-Poo and made the mess to begin with... now I've prepared the socket with electronic grade silicon grease and placed the 161 bulbs into service.



The drop in license plate luminance is not going to draw any attention from law enforcement... . it's lit! (some of you guys may appreciate less light here)



I share this with you guys so you might be able to get the Poo-Poo out of your sockets and drop to a lower wattage bulb to prevent having to pay for a factory error. I was pleased to see that the new fresh sockets arrived with no Poo-Poo in the hole.



Nothing like doing a $1. 39 bulb replacement that ends up costing just under 40 bux by the time your done



William

 

[Ron Bissett]

Seems like a trip to a junk yard would get you all the sockets you could ever want for just a dollar or two ,plus some bulbs too , Ron bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I had the same experience on my 98. I found the sockets and wire to be $10. 95 in the local DC dealer. The socket seems to disintegrate and needs to be replaced.

 

[cmills]

license plate lights

I don't know if it is just my truck or everybodys, but the lights on mine burn out very quickly, is there a reason for this?

 

[ProspectorTim]

I found this OLD topic, but I have the same problem.

I noticed that both license plate bulbs were burned out - and found that the light sockets had melted.

A trip to the wrecking yard turned up close to a dozen Ram trucks and only ONE (1996) had a pair of good sockets. All the other trucks either had melted sockets or had already been pillaged.

I figure this is a factory defect and probably *should* have been recalled. Anyhow, to protect my "new" sockets, I decided to go for LED replacement bulbs to cut down on the heat and hopefuly be a permanant cure for the problem.

A search of Ebay for led 168 bulb white -amber -blue turned up a good find on *cheap* LEDs. They should be here any day now.

 

[WTBurke]

PT, good find and yes this is an OLD thread. I too will look into your discovery. The low current draw of these LED's are the ticket.

Thanks,

William

 

[Signal73]

Ha! Mine are all screwed up as well I have one patched together and working need to find a better, cheaper alternative...

 

[WestTN]

These light assemblies are considered one-shot. That is why they are gliued together. However, I can't say they are a problem. One of mine did blow out, but EVERY other factory bulb is still the original. I now have 124,400 miles on the truck.

 

[DWeiler]

LED"s from autolumination.com in mine for a couple of years now---Good quality "leds" will last a long time,price is reasonable too. DW

 

[tony597fitter]

I just went to AutoZone and bought some license plate bolts with a white led built into them. They were under $10 for the pair.

 

[Signal73]

I just went to AutoZone and bought some license plate bolts with a white led built into them. They were under $10 for the pair.

Thats Pimp.

 

[tony597fitter]

Thats Pimp.

They have them in different colors also. I just went with the white ones. If you cant find them at the auto parts store, you can get them on Ebay. Thats where I first seen them, go figure.

 

[HSpiering]

Had same problem on my 94. Both out and the boot was trash. I put in new bulbs and got a tube of silicon caulk and coated the out side with this caulk. (made my oun boot). Never had a bulb go out after and it worked great. No water got in.