Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 Birds of a feather flock together

the infamous dim right hand taillamps

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-28-2007, 07:48 PM
  #1  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rumblebox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Victoria, TX
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default the infamous dim right hand taillamps

someone tell me WHY the right side doesnt receive the same amount of voltage as the left side.
Old 10-29-2007, 03:00 PM
  #2  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
rumblebox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Victoria, TX
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

anyone?
Old 11-03-2007, 07:40 PM
  #3  
Staging Lane
 
BlacKBirD25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dallas,Tx
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

ive been wondering that myself.. i keept noticing it on other t/a's... mines real bad on mine
Old 11-04-2007, 03:27 PM
  #4  
'Bird Director
iTrader: (80)
 
y2k_ta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Central Indiana Honors: 4th grade spelling bee contestant
Posts: 12,824
Received 24 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

It could be the tail light lense itself. They have issues with darkening with age.
Old 11-05-2007, 12:46 AM
  #5  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (14)
 
chrysler kid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mckinney Plano Frisco
Posts: 2,720
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

mine does it sometimes, and i constantly clean the taillights and wax them

Old 11-05-2007, 12:39 PM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
 
arioch's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

cool pic
Old 11-05-2007, 11:48 PM
  #7  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (33)
 
_JB_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,729
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by y2k_ta
It could be the tail light lense itself. They have issues with darkening with age.
$10 says that's the problem.
Old 11-06-2007, 12:24 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Swiat34's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Jackson, TN
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

The problem with the taillights is moisture inside the housing which corrodes the chrome coating on the inside. This chrome coating reflects the light from the bulb, and as it deteriorates it reflects less light. If you were to pull the red lens off, I bet you'd see black all over the chrome area. There are two sollutions: 1. get a new taillight; 2. pull the lens off and send the plastic to a plastic chroming shop. #1 is the most popular 'cause you can get a used taillight for cheap at a junk yard. Swat
Old 11-12-2007, 09:49 PM
  #9  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (91)
 
zman1969's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dallas Tx
Posts: 651
Received 11 Likes on 7 Posts

Default dark taillight

i had that problem on my LEFT side on my 99 thought it was bulbs- all the same and swapped side to side- same- thought was dirty-nope bought new left lamp assy = fixed it!
Old 11-13-2007, 08:34 AM
  #10  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Formula350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

93 with 96K and equal brightness for me. I do have a problem with my from light marker, but that's a socket issue
Old 11-14-2007, 03:07 PM
  #11  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
xXSilencerXx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I have that problem only slightly on the left. People are always trying to tell me the corner bulb is out when it doesn't exist. The left is just slightly dimmer in the bottom left corner.
Old 11-15-2007, 06:16 PM
  #12  
Staging Lane
 
Wing Zero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pearland Texas
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Swiat34
The problem with the taillights is moisture inside the housing which corrodes the chrome coating on the inside. This chrome coating reflects the light from the bulb, and as it deteriorates it reflects less light. If you were to pull the red lens off, I bet you'd see black all over the chrome area. There are two sollutions: 1. get a new taillight; 2. pull the lens off and send the plastic to a plastic chroming shop. #1 is the most popular 'cause you can get a used taillight for cheap at a junk yard. Swat
while you are doing this check your bulb socket for corrosion on the contach points as well.
Old 11-15-2007, 06:17 PM
  #13  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NHRAMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Posts: 8,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

mine is fine.
Old 11-15-2007, 08:42 PM
  #14  
Launching!
 
t-rocks firehawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

mine had moisture in it even took a hair dryer to it,didnt last long. as for the corner tail lights when your head lights are on i replaced mine with l.e.d's looks cool you can see them far away.
Old 11-20-2007, 10:02 AM
  #15  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
BriancWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: The Garage
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I guess I've been lucky. I've owned 2 diff TAs and never had that issue (knocks on wood)



Quick Reply: the infamous dim right hand taillamps



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:20 PM.