Tail light help!!

So my passenger side tail light bulb keeps falling out of the socket and I can't get it to stay. I tried a brand new bulb and it still falls out after a day or so. I'm kinda confused on what I have to replace. Any help would be great. Thanks!

 

try electrical tape

 

What bulb number are you using?

 

check metal prongs in socket also check tabs on socket to keep bulb in

 

Self tapping screw?

 

I would use some tape but I really don't want it to stand out. I'm using the 3157 bulb. It's the same as the bulb in the driver side and I haven't had any problems with that one

 

Really strange. Something must be wrong on the housing then, like missing a piece or something. Any way for you to post pics of the area?

 

Make sure you push them in all the way. Not a joke

 

I think it's gotta be the housing. I know I'm pushing it in all the way cause it won't go in any further. Unfortunately I'm away from my truck for the weekend so I can't take any pics. I'm wondering if I can replace the housing

 

Have you tried swapping with the bulb from the other side to see if it is the bulb?


Sounds silly and redneck engineered, but a strategically placed and very small dab of supper glue or rubber cement(like goop) on the plastic part of the bulb will probably do the trick. If I were to do that, I would make sure it was on the part of the bulb that would mate with the outer edge of the socket. That way if it blows it will be easy to dig out and clean up.

 

I've swapped the bulbs with no luck. But I may have to try a tiny drop of glue

 

Is the lamp falling from the socket (it seems it is from your original post), or the socket and lamp falling from the housing? If the former just get a new socket (many FLAPS stock these) and splice it in to the pigtail. If the latter then a new socket might stay in better, or you may need a new housing.

It's only $50 for a new tail light assembly with the pigtail, harness connector, sockets and lamps...

 

It's the bulb falling out of the socket. So I guess I just need a new socket? Just cut and splice?

 

Yup, bring the tail light with you to the parts store so they can match it up with the universal sockets they have.

If they cannot match it up then your could buy the OEM pigtail assembly--it's $24.28 from Lakeland Toyota, (p/n 8155504150 fits '05 to '15 Tacos)--good guys I have dealt with them in the past. This is about half the cost of a whole new assembly, but would assure that the right and left sides match.

 

this...push harder and itll seat. i had the same issue with my front bulb. push that bad boy till it snaps in solid

 

With a tiny screwdriver, you could push the contacts closer together in the socket

 

I ended up finding a loose piece of plastic in the socket that wouldn't let the bulb fully seat in. After I got it out the bulb went in perfect. Thanks for everyone's help

 

Cool--it's great when it's something simple...

 

I agree!! It seems like it never works out that easy