Lost brake lights - but only one side.

[71Beeper]

Doug, I had the same thought at first because of the responses I was getting here.
The original issue was that I was having no brake lights or turn signals.

I did install an original turn signal switch (the one where I JB welded the 4 way to) but it turns out it's no good.

The electrical guy who found the issue started pulling bulbs till the brake lights and signals and 4 ways started working again - and that was with the Re-pop signal switch not even installed on the steering column - it was on the drivers side floor plugged in the main harness and grounded.

He tried to do the same with the original one but could not get it to do anything.

I will fix the front signal housing and put the repop switch on the column and try it.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Understood the turn signal was working at the rear, one brake light was not. The flashing side markers are a dead giveaway to a ground problem at a turn signal/park light housing. The front TS/park housings also depend on grounding through their mounting screws to the valance. I will run a separate ground wire from the housing to the core support to avoid damaging the freshly painted valance and ensure a good ground path for the housings. Have also run into socket to housing resistance requiring readdressing the socket crimp flange.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

As I understand, the lack of ground on front parking caused the dimimn lights on sidemarkers.

The missed left brake light was about an uncomplete conection between male and female plugs down the column

 

[71Beeper]

Some update - I got it all back together.
Tried the method of putting a small sheet metal scre in the housing so the head of the screw touched both the bulb socket and the housing with little success.
It would work then it wouldn't.....turn the screw some more it goes back to working.

So I did what Nacho suggested - smash the socket lip itself with a screwdriver and a hammer against the housing on a couple of spots to get it back tight.

Well.....I got a little carried away...

Yup, popped it almost thru.

So while I'll be looking for another one or another set (Jimmy Boros has a restored set but mucho $$$) I ordered one of these as a fix.

The fun never ends.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Damn! How hard and where exactly did you smash it? Just hard enough to beat a bit the socket lip metal to get bent!

I made it with success on my parking lights! Can’t show pics of my owns thought

 

[Nacho-RT74]

I ordered one of these as a fix.
View attachment 1733793
The fun never ends.

Wow! I never had seen those before… I like them!

 

[71Beeper]

Ron Francis wiring has them for both single filament bulbs.
Part number RR-11

And the for the dual filament bulbs like I ordered.
Part number RR-33

 

[Nacho-RT74]

It would be great if they were made also with the waterproof boot

 

[71Beeper]

Ask, and you shall receive.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Great! LOL a bit expensive thought… but a GREAT option.

Now… will be great it gets a wired ground for plastic light housings LOL

(Already checked the website… just chassis ground available LOL)

 

[71Beeper]

Just an update on this.
I finally got around to fixing the socket issue.

First - remove the broken socket out.
The Ron Francis instructions indicate that the opening has to be 3/4" for this new socket to fit......well the opening is much bigger than that. It's over an inch in diameter.

So, I had to improvise.
I bought these aluminum washers from McMaster Carr.

The I.D. is undersized. I used a step drill bit to open it to the 3/4" I.D.

Now the new socket can be used. Once inserted the front face looks like this.

And the backside like this. I used a little blue Loctite on the nut to hold it.

Next is to cut the wiring harness off the old socket and hook up the correct wires to the new socket.
The completed looks like this.

Back in business!

 

[71Beeper]

Oh and BTW if you are planning to replace the tail light sockets, these will work perfectly as the hole in the tail light housing is closest to 3/4"

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Any concern that those replacement sockets appear not to be watertight as are the originals?

 

[71Beeper]

Doug, no concern for me as my Runner is a fair weather car.
In the off chance I do get caught in the rain - I filled up the back of the socket with Die-electric grease for now.
If that doesn't work then perhaps a dose of RTV instead.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Parking light opening must be bigger due the broken are around when you smashed it I guess… because originally should be the same than the tail lights being the same socket system.