Rear blinker issues / socket replacement
Rear blinker issues / Finding a socket replacement
I've read several dozen posts about blinker not working issues, none specifically seemed to address my issue which first started as the blinker not flashing when engaged on the '95 TA.
The right rear inside most stop/blinker light seemed to be the culprit, after swapping out all the bulbs including the fronts (which are easily accessed with the headlamps in the up position) the problem still exists.
Swapped out the flasher under the dash, blinker now works, but is very faint, the light isn't half as bright as the outer most blinker bulb.
Same for when the brakes are engaged.
*
So I'm thinking its the socket that is bad...of course after going to 3 different parts stores, no one has the HELP replacement pig tailed socket. Stopped by the dealer...its $87 for 1!!
Search here and found several different aftermarket part numbers...took them all up to O'rileys, the only one valid seems to be the Borg Warner PT144 (CORRECTION: PT144 DOES NOT FIT EITHER) ..so I ordered one for $23 (And will be returning it now).
THe left rear inner most bulb seems to be faint as well but not as bad as the right.... Should find out later this week if that fixes it..if so then I'll replace the other side also.
Made nearly an entire day off of work devoted to this one stupid little problem
and its not fixed yet!
The right rear inside most stop/blinker light seemed to be the culprit, after swapping out all the bulbs including the fronts (which are easily accessed with the headlamps in the up position) the problem still exists.
Swapped out the flasher under the dash, blinker now works, but is very faint, the light isn't half as bright as the outer most blinker bulb.
Same for when the brakes are engaged.
*
So I'm thinking its the socket that is bad...of course after going to 3 different parts stores, no one has the HELP replacement pig tailed socket. Stopped by the dealer...its $87 for 1!!
Search here and found several different aftermarket part numbers...took them all up to O'rileys, the only one valid seems to be the Borg Warner PT144 (CORRECTION: PT144 DOES NOT FIT EITHER) ..so I ordered one for $23 (And will be returning it now).
THe left rear inner most bulb seems to be faint as well but not as bad as the right.... Should find out later this week if that fixes it..if so then I'll replace the other side also.
Made nearly an entire day off of work devoted to this one stupid little problem
and its not fixed yet!
Last edited by 2QUIK6; Apr 26, 2011 at 03:08 PM.
Re: Rear blinker issues / socket replacement
I had read several posts where the sockets are prone to getting moisture in them and corrodding some of the connections in the socket.
Re: Rear blinker issues / socket replacement
Problem resolved:
Looks like the ground on the socket has quite a bit of resistance, pulled the weather seal out of the harness and checked from the backside of the connector and there is none, so the socket does need replacing....however...
CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE, PT144 DOES NOT FIT EITHER!!! Therefore I've determined there are no direct replacement sockets that can be had at the auto store, NONE of the part#s found on here were direct fit replacements that could still be ordered anyway, several numbers were no longer available.
So I bought a Dorman 85881 socket, this uses a 3157 bulb that slips in rather than twists, but the socket fits directly in the lens housing and locks appropriately, it is a snug fit too. Since the bulb slips and locks in place like the front blinkers, there's less of a chance of it vibrating out like the twist fits have done me in the past.
Now the lights work correctly on the RH side!! The socket has 3 wires labeled A B G....it does matter how A B are connected..of course G goes to ground, with "B" connected to the brown factory wire and "A to green all works fine, with them switched you get the dim blinker/stop light like I had before.... Of course I hooked it up that way first and figured I accomplished nothing before switching and finding success
Now I need to do the LH side as its showing similar symptoms just not near as bad yet.
Looks like the ground on the socket has quite a bit of resistance, pulled the weather seal out of the harness and checked from the backside of the connector and there is none, so the socket does need replacing....however...
CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE, PT144 DOES NOT FIT EITHER!!! Therefore I've determined there are no direct replacement sockets that can be had at the auto store, NONE of the part#s found on here were direct fit replacements that could still be ordered anyway, several numbers were no longer available.
So I bought a Dorman 85881 socket, this uses a 3157 bulb that slips in rather than twists, but the socket fits directly in the lens housing and locks appropriately, it is a snug fit too. Since the bulb slips and locks in place like the front blinkers, there's less of a chance of it vibrating out like the twist fits have done me in the past.
Now the lights work correctly on the RH side!! The socket has 3 wires labeled A B G....it does matter how A B are connected..of course G goes to ground, with "B" connected to the brown factory wire and "A to green all works fine, with them switched you get the dim blinker/stop light like I had before.... Of course I hooked it up that way first and figured I accomplished nothing before switching and finding success

Now I need to do the LH side as its showing similar symptoms just not near as bad yet.
Last edited by 2QUIK6; Apr 26, 2011 at 03:21 PM.
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