DIY brake light socket (harness side) replacement
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DIY brake light socket (harness side) replacement
I'm putting this out there for people that have or will have this problem.
I came to replace the stock spoiler off my base vette for a Z06 (the slighty taller one).
I won't show the DIY part of that, since there are plenty of articles/youtube videos for that. But as I was removing the brake light connector, the flex-locking tab decided to snap off.
A very bad feeling descended on me, I thought that GREAT, now I have to change the entire rear harness and would have to spend a whole day just removing the rear bumper to do so.
BE WARNED, they do not sell the socket ONLY at the dealer, it's the WHOLE rear harness. I decided to buy one anyways, since if there are any other ones that will snap off in the future, i would have a few spares.
Of course, you can always take the chance of running it without the locking tab, but I would not suggest doing so.
so here it is, how to replace the brake light socket on the harness side.
The socket, with the tab snapped off:
A good socket:
First, take out the white/clear lead securing tab, by pushing it out from the side where your tab snapped off. There is a U shape cutout in the tab, just push on it with a pen or something thin and hard, but not sharp as to not damage the socket. (it' s good practice on the one you're replacing, so when you remove the one you're "keeping" you'll know what to do.)
You should end up with something like this:
Then using a flathead screwdriver, as small as possible, i used a 1/16, slide it flat across the top of the metallic lead and when you hit the bottom, push up SLIGHTLY. DO NOT push hard, or it might break that part, then the leads will no longer lock into the socket.
As you do this, pull the wire on the back of the socket, while you're doing this, and you should end up with:
Success, do the same for all three wires, LABEL you're wires, or take a picture with your smartphone, like I did. To maintain wire order:
Do the same with the socket that you'll remove from either a wreck yard piece or from your favourite dealer. Then swap it.
"assembly is in reverse order"
There you go, you just saved yourself from an afternoon of hell.
BONUS, rear backup light is essentially the same socket, different colour and 2 wires instead of 3:
learn one, rule them all.
I came to replace the stock spoiler off my base vette for a Z06 (the slighty taller one).
I won't show the DIY part of that, since there are plenty of articles/youtube videos for that. But as I was removing the brake light connector, the flex-locking tab decided to snap off.
A very bad feeling descended on me, I thought that GREAT, now I have to change the entire rear harness and would have to spend a whole day just removing the rear bumper to do so.
BE WARNED, they do not sell the socket ONLY at the dealer, it's the WHOLE rear harness. I decided to buy one anyways, since if there are any other ones that will snap off in the future, i would have a few spares.
Of course, you can always take the chance of running it without the locking tab, but I would not suggest doing so.
so here it is, how to replace the brake light socket on the harness side.
The socket, with the tab snapped off:
A good socket:
First, take out the white/clear lead securing tab, by pushing it out from the side where your tab snapped off. There is a U shape cutout in the tab, just push on it with a pen or something thin and hard, but not sharp as to not damage the socket. (it' s good practice on the one you're replacing, so when you remove the one you're "keeping" you'll know what to do.)
You should end up with something like this:
Then using a flathead screwdriver, as small as possible, i used a 1/16, slide it flat across the top of the metallic lead and when you hit the bottom, push up SLIGHTLY. DO NOT push hard, or it might break that part, then the leads will no longer lock into the socket.
As you do this, pull the wire on the back of the socket, while you're doing this, and you should end up with:
Success, do the same for all three wires, LABEL you're wires, or take a picture with your smartphone, like I did. To maintain wire order:
Do the same with the socket that you'll remove from either a wreck yard piece or from your favourite dealer. Then swap it.
"assembly is in reverse order"
There you go, you just saved yourself from an afternoon of hell.
BONUS, rear backup light is essentially the same socket, different colour and 2 wires instead of 3:
learn one, rule them all.
Last edited by loco_stevie; Sep 27, 2015 at 08:14 PM.
