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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 06:52 AM
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Default New to C-5 light bulbs question

I'm having a problem with the tail lights on my 2003. These new style 3057 seem to plug in either way I insert them? With the old style 1157 there was only one way the bulbs would go into the light socket. Any wisdom welcome !
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by killain
I'm having a problem with the tail lights on my 2003. These new style 3057 seem to plug in either way I insert them? With the old style 1157 there was only one way the bulbs would go into the light socket. Any wisdom welcome !
Yep. You're right. These newer "wedge base" style bulbs have 4 contacts (total) and the old style 1034, 1157, 2057, etc all had 3 contacts. The older style shared a common ground and the base (the round metal barrel) had to be polarized to ensure the correct filament was being lighted. The new ones do not do this as each filament (there are two) has it's own ground.

By "problem" what do you mean?
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Yep. You're right. These newer "wedge base" style bulbs have 4 contacts (total) and the old style 1034, 1157, 2057, etc all had 3 contacts. The older style shared a common ground and the base (the round metal barrel) had to be polarized to ensure the correct filament was being lighted. The new ones do not do this as each filament (there are two) has it's own ground.

By "problem" what do you mean?
Thanks Lone, I'm having a problem about replacing the old bulbs, what do I look for in installing the new bulbs? How do I tell if I have them in properly?
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 12:31 PM
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Plug in either way, makes no difference.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by byronhunter
Plug in either way, makes no difference.
Thanks, But doesn't it matter what filament lights up when you brake or when the turn signals are on ?
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 01:16 PM
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The bulb contacts are arranged so it works the same no matter which way you insert it.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by byronhunter
The bulb contacts are arranged so it works the same no matter which way you insert it.
Thank you my friend !
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by killain
Thank you my friend !
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by byronhunter
The bulb contacts are arranged so it works the same no matter which way you insert it.
You beat me to it. Thanks Byron.

Killain: Sometimes I've noticed that the bulb is a little "reluctant" to want to snap into the socket. It's almost as if you're trying to insert it incorrectly. It requires correct alignment of the plastic bulb base and sometimes a bit more force than one might expect to get it to snap into place in the socket. I call it using "semi-medieval" force to get it snapped in. Actually that's probably a good thing since a tight fit is good and helps eliminate loose fitting/high-resistance contacts.
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