Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Installing new bulbs ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 05:30 PM
  #1  
killain's Avatar
killain
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Default Installing new bulbs ?

I've got a burnt out bulb in the rear 3157 and after looking at them, is there a right way and a wrong way to install them ? there's just four wires & tow filaments how do I know I have the in the right way ? Thank you !
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 08:18 PM
  #2  
R2R's Avatar
R2R
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Default

3157 Straight out, Straight in. Test the light before you screw stuff back together. I have someone say the bulb didn't work and they pulled it out turned it 180 and reinstalled all good.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 08:25 PM
  #3  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,405
Likes: 24,797
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Just turn the lights on to check it before putting everything back together.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 09:00 PM
  #4  
thisMSGgood4me's Avatar
thisMSGgood4me
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
Default

Originally Posted by R2R
3157 Straight out, Straight in. Test the light before you screw stuff back together. I have someone say the bulb didn't work and they pulled it out turned it 180 and reinstalled all good.
That bulb is designed to be inserting into the socket either way, so there's no right way and wrong way. That person who said it didn't work the first time he tried probably didn't have it seated properly in the socket.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2014 | 09:34 PM
  #5  
OKZ06's Avatar
OKZ06
Safety Car
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 5
From: Enid Ok
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Default

I have personally made the mistake of not snapping in the bulb all the way.
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2014 | 11:10 AM
  #6  
killain's Avatar
killain
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Default OK, So I 'm thinking. . .

Originally Posted by thisMSGgood4me
That bulb is designed to be inserting into the socket either way, so there's no right way and wrong way. That person who said it didn't work the first time he tried probably didn't have it seated properly in the socket.


The bulbs have a large filament and a smaller one, I'm just guessing here, the small is on constantly when driving at night, and only when you step on the brake pedal does the wider or larger filament light up ?
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2014 | 12:27 AM
  #7  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by killain
The bulbs have a large filament and a smaller one, I'm just guessing here, the small is on constantly when driving at night, and only when you step on the brake pedal does the wider or larger filament light up ?
On the rear bulbs, the small filament is for tail lights and the large filament is for both stop lights, and turn signals.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2014 | 01:34 AM
  #8  
o2bnkc's Avatar
o2bnkc
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Navy
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Default

How many vette owners does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 19, 2014 | 08:44 PM
  #9  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by o2bnkc
How many vette owners does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Midyear owners need 6.

One to remove left tail light lens screw,
One to remove right tail light lens screw,
One to remove the lens,
One to remove the old bulb,
One to hold new bulb steady at correct height and,
One to back car up into bulb.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2014 | 10:12 PM
  #10  
o2bnkc's Avatar
o2bnkc
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Navy
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Midyear owners need 6.

One to remove left tail light lens screw,
One to remove right tail light lens screw,
One to remove the lens,
One to remove the old bulb,
One to hold new bulb steady at correct height and,
One to back car up into bulb.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 10:05 AM
  #11  
jakecol's Avatar
jakecol
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 371
Likes: 20
From: Ft. Collins Colorado
Default

No specific orientation unless they're LED's. Seat bulbs fully.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 10:21 AM
  #12  
Mr.Bill's Avatar
Mr.Bill
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Default

Originally Posted by jakecol
No specific orientation unless they're LED's. Seat bulbs fully.
I am a bit confused, How can that be when you have running lights and brake lights? Wouldn't the brake wire have to go to the brake filament?
Please explain to me how this works.
Thank You.


After looking at the bulb I see where it is possible, I didn't know the bulb had 4 wires going to it.

Last edited by Mr.Bill; Sep 21, 2014 at 10:23 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 10:52 AM
  #13  
jakecol's Avatar
jakecol
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 371
Likes: 20
From: Ft. Collins Colorado
Default

Sorry guys! Between a senior moment and not enough coffee,I was wrong. The 3157 generation bulb DOES have a specific orientation. It should be obvious when looking at the socket as there are 2 sets of contacts within it. The spacing of these contacts is quite obvious. Total seating is very much necessary.
Now for more coffee.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2014 | 06:01 PM
  #14  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
I am a bit confused, How can that be when you have running lights and brake lights? Wouldn't the brake wire have to go to the brake filament?
Please explain to me how this works.
Thank You.


After looking at the bulb I see where it is possible, I didn't know the bulb had 4 wires going to it.
The socket only has three wires going to it, but the bulb itself has four contact points as does the inside of the socket where it plugs in.

Of the three wires going to the socket, one is brake(and turn), one is tail light and the last one is ground. The ground serves as the ground for either, or both, of the others.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Installing new bulbs ?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:21 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE