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71 Charger taillight bulbholder woes.......

Started by Simonic, April 03, 2018, 02:42:29 AM

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Simonic

One of the taillight bulbs faild on my car .
Attempting to remove the bulb the glass broke and I could see the base of the bulb was rusted solid into the holder.
After some messing around I got the rest of the bulb out and looking I could see the whole of the bulb holder was badly corroded.
With some cleaning and scraping I got the bulb in and working but I realize it's likely a temporary measure.

So,gentlemen. Can the bulb holder be replaced? I relize some fabrication may be required. If so what did you use?
I've done a little digging around and found this .
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=12v+21/5+bulb+holder&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVkfOW_pvaAhXBasAKHcP5CbUQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=650#imgrc=Yk0PRGFH4tjvlM:&spf=1522685682963
Could this work with some adaptation do you think .
Thank You
Mopar owner in the UK..

Nacho-RT74

Since ever has being hard to find correct bulb socket replacements for 3rd gens since they are presssed into the tail light housings being the harness an integrated part of the full tail light assembly. The only option could be try to match some removable socket ( like earlier setups ) from the ones available on market. I have found this as the most variated seller of sockets to match the ones on our 3rd gens.

http://www.oemsurplus911.com/automotive/lightsockets_chrysler.htm

http://www.oemsurplus911.com/automotive/ligtsockets.htm

If there is a better seller of sockets with more options, haven't found it. Maybe cheaper around ? could be, but the PNs there works as reference being they are not really manufacturers, but just sellers of the parts ready available on market. Sure the tail light housing will require some trimming to fit them. You can glue them if housings are plastic and mostly sure sold an extra ground wire to the socket body. Or not glue them to be able to replace without remove the lenses. Or if the tail lights are R/T kind, made of potmetal and just make the setup like earliers, also removable from backside without remove lense assembly. You can also glue them to emulate the press installing, keeping them fix. Pot metal tail light assemblies are grounded via chassis and most of these sockets replacements are made to work on that way ( hence the need to sold a ground wire if plastic housing ).

as you can see inner contacts and backelite are also available as replacement, so you can try to restore the existant socket still attached to housing and just replace the inner guts. A bit of fine work to make it correctly, but will be still like factory did ( I'd give a try )
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

Simonic

Thank You for your help Sir,
My car is a Superbee with the std (non R/T) light assemblies. I will try and source something in the uk first. You have given me some good info.
Thanks again

Simon
Mopar owner in the UK..

Nacho-RT74

ok, you could try to replace the inner gutters. Given the PNs, maybe you can find them around there ? :shruggy:
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

Simonic

I have found someone on here selling a pair of lights and msgd him.They are a bit steep at $400 tho.
Thanks for your help
Mopar owner in the UK..

71 SE3834V

When this happened to me I found that the Dorman socket part #85803 was the closest to the original in shape. I had to solder a ground wire to the side and JB Weld it in place.
Make sure you use die electric grease on the bulb to prevent future problems.
71 Charger SE 383 4V
72 Galaxie 500 400 2V

Simonic

Quote from: 71 SE3834V on April 17, 2018, 07:05:04 AM
When this happened to me I found that the Dorman socket part #85803 was the closest to the original in shape. I had to solder a ground wire to the side and JB Weld it in place.
Make sure you use die electric grease on the bulb to prevent future problems.
Thank You Sir.
I've found a socket over here in the uk and I will indeed have to solder a ground wire on. Of all the bulbs in the rear lights this is the only one affected for some reason.
Mopar owner in the UK..

71 SE3834V

The gasket for that lens might be leaking. I believe new ones are available or you can do like I did and coat the bulb with die-electric grease and try not to expose it to water. 😁
71 Charger SE 383 4V
72 Galaxie 500 400 2V

Simonic

Quote from: 71 SE3834V on April 25, 2018, 06:49:37 AM
The gasket for that lens might be leaking. I believe new ones are available or you can do like I did and coat the bulb with die-electric grease and try not to expose it to water. 😁

Thank You Sir,i'll check that out
Mopar owner in the UK..