turn signal light keeps exploding
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 420
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From: Orange Park (Jacksonville) FL
turn signal light keeps exploding
The drivers turn signal light keeps "blowing". I believe it actually blows up, since fragments of the bulb are noticeable behind the lens.
Any idea of what could be wrong?
I have a '99 Coupe Z51/A4
Any idea of what could be wrong?
I have a '99 Coupe Z51/A4
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
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From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
That happened to me a couple of weeks ago on the p/side. The bulb burnt so I changed it, the second bulb blew up so I ended up changing the whole socket. I cut the old socket in half and saw that it was all corroded on the inside. The outside looked fine, but the inside had that aqua colored crap in it. It only cost me $70 CDN for the new socket and it's been fine since. Good luck.
The Monk!
The Monk!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Originally Posted by Old Timer
FWIW, more likely than not, you've got a crack in the top of the turn signal lense housing, which is letting moisture drip onto the bulb (when its hot) causing the bulb to burst.
Barry
Barry
Very common on these cars. The bulbs heat up the plastic housings right above the bulb causing the plastic to get brittle and crack. That lets water in directly over the top of the bulb. And we all know what happens to a hot bulb when dripped on with cold water! A good thick coat of silicone sealer over the top of the housing may fix the problem. Depends on how bad the housing in though.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Babylon NY
i had both blow out on me too. Bulbs burn hot and are way too close to the housing. Removed both housings, cut a hole where the bulb melted the plastic and siliconed a blank from basic aluminum home electrical boxes. Did the trick, been dry and lit up for a couple years now.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
i see, i have the same problem with my passenger side turn signal.. but i looked at the connection and the socket inside looked 'burned' and corroaded.. where could i get a replacement?
gm part # anyone?
gm part # anyone?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,060
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From: winter haven florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by SpeedyZ
Very common on these cars. The bulbs heat up the plastic housings right above the bulb causing the plastic to get brittle and crack. That lets water in directly over the top of the bulb. And we all know what happens to a hot bulb when dripped on with cold water! A good thick coat of silicone sealer over the top of the housing may fix the problem. Depends on how bad the housing in though.
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7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Peoria Illinois
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1476
Try your dealer or aftermarket for the socket "pig tail". Always use dielectric grease in the socket, I go through the stuff like mad at work! Very common problem! Make sure to cut your old wires off up the harness till you get nice bright copper wire. Also be sure to use the shrink style butt connectors so you don't have a repeat problem. Best o luck! You can fix it!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 41
From: Corinth TX
Another alternative is to install a new set of clear corners. More than likely you have a crack over the bulb from heat as others have stated. I recently replaced mine with a set of clear corners and they look great.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 552
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From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
WHERE'D YOU GET YOUR CLEAR CORNERS? MANY ON EBAY STATE THEY ARE FOR SHOW ONLY, NOT DOT APPROVED.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Corinth TX
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
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From: San Clemente CA
Regarding the hot bulbs, has anyone tried an LED replacement for the stock bulb? Much less heat, but I believe you need a clear lense for the LED to put out the proper amount of light.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,719
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From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '07
I had that problem on my 98. I bought a used turn signal light on this CF and a new socket with pigtails from NAPA. Even with the new socket be careful not to bend the terminals inside the socket when installing the bulb. The socket was expensive, about $30.00
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I went a slightly different approach. After first sealing the damaged area of the housing on top I cut a small piece of some Thermo-Tec material that has an adhesive on the back and inserted it through the bulb hole and stuck it to the area just above where the bulb sits. In effect it's just creating a "heat shield" from the inside. Been working well so far.