Headlight sockets like to fall off
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2021
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Headlight sockets like to fall off Hello, I have a 2002 Trans Am, and one of the issues I keep having is my headlight sockets like to fall off the plug on the bulb when I'm driving. This is annoying and sometimes causes the bulbs to burn out due to a flickering connection before they do fall off. I suspect its because both harnesses hang and the weight of the harness slowly pulls the socket off the bulb.
I was wondering if anyone has come up with a way to hold the sockets more securely to the bulb. Stock, they are held on only by the contacts themselves.
I was thinking of punching small holes into the sheet-metal around the socket and putting twist-ties through to more securely hold the sockets in place.
I was wondering if anyone has come up with a way to hold the sockets more securely to the bulb. Stock, they are held on only by the contacts themselves.
I was thinking of punching small holes into the sheet-metal around the socket and putting twist-ties through to more securely hold the sockets in place.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
If you have the later version of the 4703/4701 sealed beams with glass front, metal back, and big thick white silicone disc/seal on the back, you can put a screw through the hole in middle of the back of the the connector into that white disc. That is what I did when I still had the 4703/4701 sealed beams.
If you have the older all glass housings, you can't do that.
The connector itself is probably too loose too and you'll have to bend out the tab inside of it to fit more snugly.
Another option is to replace those sealed beams with the LMC Truck housings, upgraded bulbs, and replace the connectors with the applicable 9006/9005 connectors for the new bulbs.
If you have the older all glass housings, you can't do that.
The connector itself is probably too loose too and you'll have to bend out the tab inside of it to fit more snugly.
Another option is to replace those sealed beams with the LMC Truck housings, upgraded bulbs, and replace the connectors with the applicable 9006/9005 connectors for the new bulbs.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
I don't remember. I just rummaged around for something that fit through the existing hole in the back of the connector and would dig into that silicone puck about 1/4".
I don't have those headlights anymore so I can't check. I have Low Beam HID Projectors and LMC Truck High Beams now.
My current headlights...
https://www.fadingarrow.com/images/F...lted_SMALL.jpg
http://www.fadingarrow.net/images/Fi...lted_SMALL.jpg
I don't have those headlights anymore so I can't check. I have Low Beam HID Projectors and LMC Truck High Beams now.
My current headlights...
https://www.fadingarrow.com/images/F...lted_SMALL.jpg
http://www.fadingarrow.net/images/Fi...lted_SMALL.jpg
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
I don't remember. I just rummaged around for something that fit through the existing hole in the back of the connector and would dig into that silicone puck about 1/4". Not all the way through the silicone. Probably 1/2 - 3/4 the way through the silicone puck. I haven't had those lights on the car in years.
