2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Right Rear tail/brake light socket

[Midnite]

I've got a problem with my passenger side rear tail/brake light bulb is partially melted into the socket and I can't get the bulb out. Anyone have any pointers to an easy fix for this?



I'm thinking about hitting one of the local junkyard/parts places to get a socket and then cut my old one out, splicing the new one in place with solder and heat shrink tubing.



If this has happened to anyone else I'd love to hear what you did.



Thanks,

Mike

 

[GAmes]

If you can find on in a junkyard just use the whole thing. Or use this as an excuse to upgrade to an LED unit.

 

[kenny61]

I think the "harness is only a few feet long before it plugs into another harness behind the bumper. Double check and replace that part so you are not splicing

 

[Midnite]

Oh, I had no idea it might be some little "sub-harness". That would make life easier!

Thanks guys.

 

[kenny61]

No problem I'm not a 100% sure but I do know that there is a connector between the lights and main harness as this is where my trailer light connector tees into the harness.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yep, it's a sub harness so you can remove the bed. There are connections pegged to to the bed sheet metal underneath that unplug for lifting of the bed. This whole loom can be replaced, just be sure your light lens is good. Have you tried heating your loom with a small butane torch? If the glass is melted it got wayyyyy too hot and should just break right out with a pair of needlenose pliers, or you could heat it a little and it should soften the glass when it gets pretty hot. The thinner metal of the light socket may be ruined, however, if it got hot enough to melt glass..... Did it not melt the plastic tail light socket?!?!!

 

[Midnite]

It didn't melt the glass--the plastic is just darkened from heat discoloration and the bulb is locked in place. I've tried wrenching it out with some needle nose pliers, but I haven't actually tried busting the bulb. Maybe I can get a better grip on it if I do that.

Mike

 

[HHhuntitall]

Don't think you have much to lose if you did bust the bulb and not get it out. Either you need a new loom or you can replace the bulb... .