headlight bulb socket - busted - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Redline · 08-11-2005, 06:55 PM

Short story: recently my driver-side headlight had been flickering; thot it was the bulb itself, so I decided to replace it. Put in a new bulb, but had the same issue (flickering). Wiggled the socket and the light flickered. Took a look at the socket and I found this:

one of the contacts is burned/broken, thus a secure connection between bulb and socket is impossible. So now when I turn on my headlights at night, I've gotta check to see if the driver-side light is on, and if not, I have to pop the hood and move the socket around till it stays on. At times, if I hit a bump in the road, the light will go out

Help: anyone got a solution to this? I s'pose I could try to find a similar socket (junkyard) and just splice the thing on, but I have concerns with the electrical splicing, and I don't think the junkyard ppl will let me take just the socket

If there's anyway to fix this, let me know. THX!

Redline

***Tercel GTS*** · 08-11-2005, 07:04 PM

Instaed of paying $5 at a junkyard for a used part, why not go to a parts store and spend $4 on a new one?

camryality · 08-11-2005, 08:36 PM

that happened to me too, i just replaced it , cost me 30$ cdn installed !!! my japanese lightbulbs, burned them .

terrastrife · 08-11-2005, 08:39 PM

our local auto electrician will fix that for his minimal fee- $8

V6LE_CAMRY · 08-11-2005, 08:44 PM

Theres nothing you can do but install a new one.

Redline · 08-12-2005, 01:45 AM

alright....it seems that everyone's suggestion is to get a replacement. Now, I don't have any problems with this option, assuming that it's a cheap one and that I can do it myself, but I'm just wondering how much of the wiring I need to pull out to do the replacement. How much splicing do I need to do?

camryality: you mentioned that your "japanese lightbulbs" burned them. Are you referring to the aftermarket lighbulbs you can buy at local performance shops/Chinese places?

Now, my next question is: WHERE can I get a replacement? NAPA Auto? Canadian Tire (doubt it)? "Stealership"? Other? Local GTA help wanted please (but suggestions from all other members welcome, too)!

Redline

Lord_Anarchy · 08-12-2005, 02:01 AM

Is it me or doesn't the socket look melted? Anyways, I'd go to the junkyard and get the five-finger discount. Damn payin' them. I assume any socket from any model and make car will fit as long as it's 9005 (that's your low beam bulb size, right). As far as splicing, done properly it should give you no problems. You can peel back that black cover and cut off the socket right where the wires meet to it to get the maximum wire length

Get a replacement with a decent amount of wiring behind it and then just wire up. Don't get the wires mixed either

Super Kaioken · 08-12-2005, 02:10 AM

yeah it looks like the aftermarket bulbs burned them. like xenon and stuff. those cheap bad ones can ruin your Harness AND wires.

chronoti · 08-12-2005, 07:11 AM

yup i had one of them cheap ass ebay bubls burn my socket. i just went to me local part store and picked up a new socket .... then about 4 months later i wired in a realy for the lights, so much more power

camryality · 08-12-2005, 08:14 PM

hi ! to answer your question , yes , i bought some japanese brand xenon lights at a performance store .BUT i forgot to mention , the guy who changed my wire also put some kind of grease in both light bulb sockets so that these kind of bulbs don't burn them again. so far , so good !! check them again yesterday since we're on that subject. i'll see if i can get the name of that grease !!

V6LE_CAMRY · 08-12-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Now, my next question is: WHERE can I get a replacement? NAPA Auto? Canadian Tire (doubt it)?

Your local auto parts store should have it if not they can probably order it for you.

nodrogkam · 08-12-2005, 09:24 PM

why not just go with a new one? well whatever you see fit will be fine.

i got a pair of bulbs off of ebay 4350K i guess and they've been working fine. I was however, concered when taking my ORIGINAL bulbs out. The sockets looked sorta burned and had rusty/old rotten battery crust on it so i was wondering where that came from especially from the original factory stock bulbs. But so far i havent had an issue with my ebay bulbs.

***Tercel GTS*** · 08-12-2005, 09:30 PM

I'm on my third set of ebay bulbs with no troubles. Why 3 sets? Type of bulb changed when I got JDM lights, then had to try purple and yellow.

I love the yellows!

Lord_Anarchy · 08-13-2005, 02:32 AM

Sylvania Silverstars, the brightest DOT legal lights you can buy, period

For you HIR kids, shut up!!! j/k!

Mike Gerber · 08-13-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camryality

hi ! to answer your question , yes , i bought some japanese brand xenon lights at a performance store .BUT i forgot to mention , the guy who changed my wire also put some kind of grease in both light bulb sockets so that these kind of bulbs don't burn them again. so far , so good !! check them again yesterday since we're on that subject. i'll see if i can get the name of that grease !!

It's called "dielectric grease" and should be available at any parts store. It keeps the moisture out while allowing the electric current to pass through it. Many people also use it on spark plug wires for the same reason.

Mike