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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 !
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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.
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?
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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.