Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    jmach's Avatar
    jmach Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Feb 23, 2009, 06:11 PM
    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?
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Feb 23, 2009, 06:17 PM

    Try applying dielectric grease to the base of the bulb.
    jmach's Avatar
    jmach Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Feb 23, 2009, 06:30 PM
    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
    this8384's Avatar
    this8384 Posts: 4,564, Reputation: 485
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Feb 24, 2009, 07:59 AM

    Have you called the dealership? Some socket assemblies are relatively inexpensive and pretty easy to install.
    curtis73's Avatar
    curtis73 Posts: 5, Reputation: 4
    New Member
     
    #5

    Feb 24, 2009, 09:35 AM
    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.
    CaptainRich's Avatar
    CaptainRich Posts: 4,492, Reputation: 537
    Cars & Trucks Expert
     
    #6

    Feb 24, 2009, 09:39 AM

    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.
    armybmet's Avatar
    armybmet Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #7

    Aug 12, 2010, 05:20 PM
    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!

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

2003 buick century turn signal [ 1 Answers ]

My 2003 buick century right turn signal flashes fast but only in the front. I was told that this is the sign that a bulb is burnt out, which it was. The right rear bulb was burnt out so I replaced it and I still have the same problem. The hazard flasher does not work on that socket or the turn...

Turn signal [ 1 Answers ]

On my 2001 Oldsmobile silhouette mini-van, when the brakes are applied with the left turn signal, the flasher flashes faster. Any ideas?

Directional signal socket has no voltage [ 2 Answers ]

In the 2003 toyota echo. The right rear socket has no voltage. Maybe a ground wire Is loose. I wonder how the auto shop is going to find, why the voltage is not Getting to the socket.(new bulb)( voltage tester) all the rest of the lights work okay. No voltage coming into the socket...

Turn Signal not working [ 2 Answers ]

My 94 Dodge Spirit, yesterday all of the sudden lost the use of the turn signals. I have checked the fuses and they are all good, and I also changed the flasher, but still have no turn signals. What could be my problem?

Buick Century - Turn Signal problem [ 0 Answers ]

On my wife's 98 Century, the right (passenger side) turn signal fast flashes. This is supposed to indicate the light is out, but the light works though it flashes fast as well. The light socket was replaced less than 6 months ago. At that time, when the fast flashing started the light was out. ...


View more questions Search