light socket grounding

[jag_mopar]

Has anyone come up with a way to reconnect the grounding of the permanant crimped socket in some of the mopar tail light or reverse housings. The socked is grounded through the housing to complete the circuit. But as you know age and condition has broken the connection. I am looking for what some people have used to restor the connection.

Thanks
JAG

 

[Propwash]

First thing is I would get in the socket with a small wire brush and make sure that it's real clean and shiny. If that doesn't cut it, sweat in some solder between the bulb housing and the lamp housing.

Good luck

 

[67 coronet]

prop hit the nail on the head there,as usual.only thing i would add is to assemble the bulb with a bit of dielectric grease.

 

[jag_mopar]

So is this what you all have done or I should do first? You have to add a lot of heat to the area for the solder to flow. We would not want a cold solder joint Have you guys done this?

 

[Propwash]

So is this what you all have done or I should do first? You have to add a lot of heat to the area for the solder to flow. We would not want a cold solder joint Have you guys done this?

Had to do the same thing on a few cars in the past including my RR on the right rear reverse light. Couple of them I was able to get working by just hitting them in the blast cabinet and cleaning things up. Used a mini torch on the ones I soldered in the past. I imagine a decent solder iron/gun over 200 watts or so would work as well. If you're using the torch be sure to deflect the flame away from the plastic disc. Make sure it's as clean as you can get it beforehand and use a lot of flux paste. Either way, I would give them a good cleaning in a blast cabinet or via wire brush/steel wool. Pretty good odds it may work to cure your issue. Use an epoxy based compound to secure firmly if you're worried about solder and get it working via cleaning it.

 

[1948 santa]

I've put a dab of solder on the bulb contact before not much heat required.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I used to stick my finger in a light socket and ground my foot on a gas pipe when I was a kid for kicks. Does that count for a ground?