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-   -   Buick turn signal socket repeatedly burns (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=321198)

  • Feb 23, 2009, 06:11 PM
    jmach
    Buick turn signal socket repeatedly burns
    My 99 buick century suffers recurring pitting and arcing damage wich disconnects the front bulb.. causing fast flashing... and no running light. Now, I can't fina a socket on line. Cleaned up the existing one and it worked OK for three weeks. Anyone have or know of a socket for the front turn signal bulb and/or a solution?
  • Feb 23, 2009, 06:17 PM
    TxGreaseMonkey

    Try applying dielectric grease to the base of the bulb.
  • Feb 23, 2009, 06:30 PM
    jmach
    Thanks... did the dielectric grease... been there, done that... plastic disintegrates.. in very tiny spot.. making connection poor... no arc.. no problem on passenger side
  • Feb 24, 2009, 07:59 AM
    this8384

    Have you called the dealership? Some socket assemblies are relatively inexpensive and pretty easy to install.
  • Feb 24, 2009, 09:35 AM
    curtis73
    It doesn't matter how good it looks or you think it looks, it's a bad ground. Test continuity from the socket to the frame, or better yet from the socket to the negative terminal on the battery.

    Most of those taillight buckets are simply grounded by the screws that mount the light assembly... sealed with a gasket, with plastic parts, pot metal studs, and all grounded to sheet metal that is bolted on to the frame.

    Trust me... it's a ground issue.
  • Feb 24, 2009, 09:39 AM
    CaptainRich

    You should also consider the type of bulb that is being installed. I've seen some cheap, plastic based bulbs cause tons of problems.
    Look for bulbs with a glass base, if possible. The glass will disipate the heat instead of melting the socket housing.
    Definitely apply dielectric grease, not lithium. Lithium tends to harden over time.
  • Aug 12, 2010, 05:20 PM
    armybmet
    I have had the same problem with my 99 Century. I have found that there are more quality bulbs with a glass base instead of the plastic one that melts with high resistance. I am not so sure about it being a ground issue but I will check into it. I think it is cause by a poor contact between the bulb and the socket. This causes high resistance which melts the bulb base or the socket. It is certainly a flaw with this make and model vehicle. I went to a salvage yard and found that the other cars of this make and model had burnt bulb sockets (melted plastic which would cover the socket's contacts or the bulb contacts). I think the best solution is to periodically clean the contacts, apply dielectric grease, and use the bulb with a glass base (not the cheap plastic ones). I will check out the ground... continuity issue but I think this ground would be shared with other bulbs and they don't have the same issue... not certain though and I will check it out!

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