Taillight problems again.

Hi, I am having problems with my taillight. My tail light work when it wants and now has stopped working. The brake light works but no tail. I had a blown tail filament changed bulb worked but would stop when wiggling it. Took it apart and everything looked good. Power to plug as follows, 12.65 at left nipple 3.54 at left nipple when key is on. If I flip the bulb it will light up bright. whats wrong?

 

First thought is that your socket is bent or damaged because you should not be able to "flip" the bulb. The pins on the bulb are offset and it should only go in one way.
A rusty socket and corroded connections will also keep it from working. Clean then with some emery paper and apply some bulb socket grease to keep it clean(get some at the auto parts store)

 

The socket is fine. Clean and I can't get the bulb in the other way but if I hold the bulb in the socket the bulb will light up. The question is should I have power to both contacts at the same time? Because I do have power to both at the same time.

 

The 1157 bulb for the tail/brake light is grounded through the body. The two contacts are for the tail light and brake light power leads.
You should get power to both contacts in the bottom of the socket when the brake is applied.
If the brake is not applied and you still have power on both contacts you could have a problem with one of the brake light switches being incorrectly adjusted.

Check the bottom of the bulb to make sure the two small nubs have not worn down.
Flat or slightly dimpled nubs. Replace the bulb.

~Ghost

 

Power on the contacts depends on key position and brake . But it basicly works like this;
The outer housing is ground(-) one contact will get 12v when the key is turned on, it will stay on until the key is turned off,
The other gets 12v when the brake switches are made.

If your bulb is flaky it means there is a bad connection somewhere.
Could be anyone of these;
-the bulb itself
-the pins in the bottom of the socket or wires connecting to it.
-the spring under the contact plate is corroded or broken. it not pushing the contacts against the bulb.
-the grounding wire to the taillight assembly is loose

1157 bulb sockets are available at any auto parts store. As are the contact plate(with wires) and spring. The parts can be used to repair or replace your socket.

 

Thanks
I had a replacement bulb and it worked but would go out when I wiggled it. I took the socket apart and it looked new inside and the spring also looked new. I checked the wires and they are okay and had power to them when wigging them with the connector out. I put it back together 180 off. So when I put the bulb in it lit bright and must have blown the inside of the bulb. I changed the position 180 and put the bulb back in and it did not light up with key but brake worked. I got a new bulb and it works now. I do have dimples on the contacts in the socket and did not know that they are easily available. I will pick one up and change it out if I have any more problems with it.

 

Thanks

 

I've had similar issues.....usually turns out to be bad contact/crossed-wires/etc inside the socket