Front passenger turn bulb melted socket
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 116
From: Ft Lupton, CO
Front passenger turn bulb melted socket My turn signal went out and when I went to change the bulb it looked like I just pulled it out of a volcano. It was all bubbled and the glass was broken. Then I looked at the socket it self and its melted real bad. Any ideas on what would cause this. I checked the fuses to make sure they were in the proper slots and everything seemed good. I just cant believe that the bulb melted the socket. Now I have to go to the junk yard and try to find a new one.
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood, MD
Have you added anything or done anything to the wiring lately? I have/had (not sure if it's gone yet..) a short and that caused mine to melt.
If you can't find any at a junk yard...they're $25.85 from gmpartsdirect.com plus $9.95 for shipping. (Part #12159662). From the dealer the part is $52.
If you can't find any at a junk yard...they're $25.85 from gmpartsdirect.com plus $9.95 for shipping. (Part #12159662). From the dealer the part is $52.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 116
From: Ft Lupton, CO
well I looked inside the socket and I thought it was all melted out because of the condition of the bulb and the coloring of the terminal. It turns out there was some goopy stuff in there and I cleaned it out and got a new bulb. everything is okay now. Still the bulb got hot enough to bubble and break. Thanks though
This is normal. The goop you are refering to is dielectric grease which is to help prolong the life of the bulb and prevent the melting.
I also find it hard to believe people are paying $55 or even $25 for the socket. I replaced mine for much less than that.
I also find it hard to believe people are paying $55 or even $25 for the socket. I replaced mine for much less than that.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
i just bought a 98 with a turn signal out, which i replaced just a while ago. come to find out, i have the same melting problem on both sides. putting the plug above the bulb is a design flaw that's causing this problem. hot air rises, so the plug above will be the hottest area of the lens. the fact that these are also the DRL's exacerbates the problem since they're on basically whenever the car is running.
the stupid thing to me is that this seems like something GM would've learned not to do back in the 50's - why is this a problem on a 98? that's GM for ya.
the stupid thing to me is that this seems like something GM would've learned not to do back in the 50's - why is this a problem on a 98? that's GM for ya.
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Best thing to do is buy 2 new lamp housings for $25ea., buy 2 new sockets from autozone for about $6ea. and new bulbs. Most importantly, before you install all the new parts, get some protective covers for the housings. You can get clear, smoked, etc...
What happens is a new housing will get hit by a rock, moisture will get inside and corrode the "chrome" plating making it dimmer as well as filling the socket with water which causes corrosion and heat build up.
I was constantly having to fix them until I did all the above. I haven't had to deal with them since. That was 1.5-2 years ago.
PM me if you want the link to the place selling the housings that cheap.
What happens is a new housing will get hit by a rock, moisture will get inside and corrode the "chrome" plating making it dimmer as well as filling the socket with water which causes corrosion and heat build up.
I was constantly having to fix them until I did all the above. I haven't had to deal with them since. That was 1.5-2 years ago.
PM me if you want the link to the place selling the housings that cheap.
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Guess I will replace everything for it. FUDGE!!! 