A4 Shifter Indicator Light Socket Broken
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
A4 Shifter Indicator Light Socket Broken
My shifter indicator doesn't light up. Upon inspection the tabs for the socket holding the bulb is broken off. I located a spare harness (The harness attaches to the main harness and it splits in two. One end serves the light and the other serves the Park solenoid) from a wrecked '99, but the tabs were also broken. I was told the heat from the light and the heat generated in that area causes the socket to go brittle over time. I was also told to replace the light with an LED equivalent.
I went to the local dealer and was told GM does NOT sell the harness (what...? it's gotta be a $10 piece), but rather you need to buy the whole shifter mechanism - $480. BS!!!!
I am now scowering the auto part and electrical stores to see if I can find a LIGHTsocket that matches. Or.... maybe there is another GM car that used the same harness or light socket.
ANYONE HAVE A SOLUTION?
I went to the local dealer and was told GM does NOT sell the harness (what...? it's gotta be a $10 piece), but rather you need to buy the whole shifter mechanism - $480. BS!!!!
I am now scowering the auto part and electrical stores to see if I can find a LIGHTsocket that matches. Or.... maybe there is another GM car that used the same harness or light socket.
ANYONE HAVE A SOLUTION?
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Here's a couple of suggestions:
* check with the used parts vendor and see if you can either buy the harness or socket or even a used shifter mechanism cheap
* check with JW Motoring or theradioflyer and see if they have something that will work.
* check with the used parts vendor and see if you can either buy the harness or socket or even a used shifter mechanism cheap
* check with JW Motoring or theradioflyer and see if they have something that will work.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
And the LED is a must.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown Kentucky
Same issue on my 98, heat and age had broken the mounting. I simply glued the socket up to the housing and am able to access the bulb from the top by removing the shift selector cover instead of untwisting the light bulb holder. Also, I placed a LED in place of the regular bulb. Works fine.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
Same issue on my 98, heat and age had broken the mounting. I simply glued the socket up to the housing and am able to access the bulb from the top by removing the shift selector cover instead of untwisting the light bulb holder. Also, I placed a LED in place of the regular bulb. Works fine.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 477
From: Brea CA
Don't bother with replacing the socket
When I get home later I will post a link to a better LED replacement for the shifter that does not use the original socket. I have done this on 3 C5's without issue.
If you are in So Cal I would be willing to help with the replacement.
Gary
If you are in So Cal I would be willing to help with the replacement.
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 477
From: Brea CA
Ok here is an option that does not use the factory lamp socket:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
This is from the larger LED Mod thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...od-thread.html
I have done this PRNDL install on three cars with excellent results.
If you are in Southern California, I would be glad to help you to do this install.
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
This is from the larger LED Mod thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...od-thread.html
I have done this PRNDL install on three cars with excellent results.
If you are in Southern California, I would be glad to help you to do this install.
Gary
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
Ok here is an option that does not use the factory lamp socket:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
This is from the larger LED Mod thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...od-thread.html
I have done this PRNDL install on three cars with excellent results.
If you are in Southern California, I would be glad to help you to do this install.
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568687300-post285.html
This is from the larger LED Mod thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...od-thread.html
I have done this PRNDL install on three cars with excellent results.
If you are in Southern California, I would be glad to help you to do this install.
Gary
If I can't get a replacement socket I will just install an LED in the broken socket and glue the damn thing in place.
MAHALO!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
My shifter indicator doesn't light up. Upon inspection the tabs for the socket holding the bulb is broken off. I located a spare harness (The harness attaches to the main harness and it splits in two. One end serves the light and the other serves the Park solenoid) from a wrecked '99, but the tabs were also broken. I was told the heat from the light and the heat generated in that area causes the socket to go brittle over time. I was also told to replace the light with an LED equivalent.
I went to the local dealer and was told GM does NOT sell the harness (what...? it's gotta be a $10 piece), but rather you need to buy the whole shifter mechanism - $480. BS!!!!
I am now scowering the auto part and electrical stores to see if I can find a LIGHTsocket that matches. Or.... maybe there is another GM car that used the same harness or light socket.
ANYONE HAVE A SOLUTION?
I went to the local dealer and was told GM does NOT sell the harness (what...? it's gotta be a $10 piece), but rather you need to buy the whole shifter mechanism - $480. BS!!!!
I am now scowering the auto part and electrical stores to see if I can find a LIGHTsocket that matches. Or.... maybe there is another GM car that used the same harness or light socket.
ANYONE HAVE A SOLUTION?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
HawnHog@Hawaii.rr.com
A big Mahalo (thanks)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
I hope you like kona coffee and mac nut chocolates. I've directed the old lady to put um in the mail. 
Now..., is there anyone out there that wants to send me an old set of headers for the cost of postage that is just laying around........
Now..., is there anyone out there that wants to send me an old set of headers for the cost of postage that is just laying around........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Do the headers have to fit a Vette ???
