turn signal issues help needed

Hi TW,

I had a turn signal bulb burn out on me so I decided to replace both. I was unable to locate 4157NA at the autoparts store but they had 4157LL I figured there should be no problem with the swap. Anyhow I replaced the bulbs and tested them and everything worked fine. However during a quick run up the highway to burn off the throttle body cleaner I just applied both turn signals failed. I checked the fuse and it's good, I reinstalled the turn signal lamps but no dice. Anyone have a suggestion? Did those LL's mess something up? Is this a ground issue? Did I fry the wiring harnesses some how? Is there some kind of trick to installing the lamps? I pushed them in as far as they would go but they are kind of loose...Any help would be much appreciated truck is unsafe to drive (and illegal) until I get this fixed.

 

4157NA = 4157 with amber glass
4157LL = Sylvania 4157 Long Life (meaning it'll last a year instead of 6 months).

The lamps have nothing to do with your problem other than the fact that the 4157LL is not an amber bulb.

Double check all of the connectors on the harness, including where the harness connects to the back of the bulb socket itself.

 

Thanks Rich, I was pretty that the LL bulb swap wouldn't have been the problem. I think it has something with getting those bulbs in the socket properly. I'll keep pissing around with it until it's fixed.

Cheers

 

Did you push in the bulbs and twist about 1/4 of a turn? If you pushed in hard and it still feels loose it sounds like they didn't lock into place and could have wiggled away from the connection during the drive.

 

2nd Gen... they're push-in style lamps.
1st Gen had the 1/4 turn 1157 style.

 

Dangit I hate it when you know everything, Rich.

*sigh*

Okay fine then.

Did you match the thingies on the side of the bulb with the other thingies on the inside of the hole before you pushed in?

 

Yeah I've tried twisting and wiggling them and jamming them down. The bulbs that I took out were in so tight I nearly had to use a needlenose, but the new ones are so loose I can just nab em out no problem. I think there is some sort of trick to getting them in there, I just have to figure it out. I've changed a lot of bulbs on a lot of vehicles and these taco bulbs are definitely the biggest PITA's I have ever worked with.

 

Welp, that's all I got. Sorry.

Rich, get in here.

 

Huh?

I always line up my thingy with the other thingy before putting it in the hole.



Oh....


When you pulled the original lights, the plastic frame came out with them, right?
They're in there pretty tight, and there's a bit of a friction catch at the top edge of the socket next to the lamp.
Give them a good shove (wear gloves if you're worried) and they should seat with a solid feel.

If they're loose, they aren't fully seated in the sockets.

 

Rich beat me to this and already answered..................

 

Hey Rich that did the trick. Thanks for the help I had to smash those suckers so hard I'm shocked the bulb didn't shatter, but they're working now. I freaking love this forum BTW.

 

Exactly like you said Rich - It's all about the HARD push. I was having the same problem after I replaced one of mine.

A quick search and TW saves me again!

Glad it worked for you to OP.