one tail light extremely dim - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Moneypit · 11-26-2006, 03:08 AM

Anyone have any idea what would make the passenger side tail light/brake light be extremely dim and not effect the driver side at all? Doing some work on the 68 tomorrow and this is one of the problems I want to address. Thanks. -Moneypit

**Bob B.** · 11-26-2006, 03:23 AM

Check for a bad ground or bad socket.

68GMC454 · 11-26-2006, 03:34 AM

i would check what bob said...
billy

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 11-26-2006, 06:40 AM

Possibly even corrosion on the 2 contacts on the hot side of the 1157 bulb. They are just lead-solder points and they can oxydize. Usually rubbing the contracts briskly against your jeans can clean then up.

PanelDeland · 11-26-2006, 07:27 AM

I sometimes use a brush made for cleaning copper pipe to clean the socket or a worn battery post cleaner.Also check that the contact plate is being sprung against the bottom of the bulb.

Longhorn Man · 11-26-2006, 11:34 AM

bad bulb
die electric grease that got old and thick
poor connection at the bulb base
poor ground
dirty connections

Moneypit · 11-26-2006, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm working on it now and nearly forgot that I posted this last night. BTW I will have pics of my trucks up here in a few hours. Thanks. -Moneypit

Longhorn Man · 11-26-2006, 11:20 PM

and the verdict?

Moneypit · 11-29-2006, 08:28 PM

Verdict is that I checked over all the wiring, cleaned the socket with a wire brush, replaced the bulb even though it looks perfectly good and walked away to wait for dark so that I could see if there was any improvement. Came back about 8:30ish and like a moron left the ignition switch on when messing with the heater blower and had a dead battery. Couldn't find my jumper cables and had to leave town for business. Just got back today and am fixing to walk outside and jump her to see what happens. Let you know in a couple of hours. BTW, thanks for caring! LOL

11-26-2006, 03:08 AM	#1
Moneypit Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alpine,Texas Posts: 129	one tail light extremely dim Anyone have any idea what would make the passenger side tail light/brake light be extremely dim and not effect the driver side at all? Doing some work on the 68 tomorrow and this is one of the problems I want to address. Thanks. -Moneypit __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 1967 Mustang 1976 Honda XL350 2006 Victory Vegas 8-Ball 2012 Ram 1500 4x4

11-26-2006, 03:23 AM	#2
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,318	Re: one tail light extremely dim Check for a bad ground or bad socket. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

11-26-2006, 03:34 AM	#3
68GMC454 THE VILLIAGE IDIOT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tooele, Utah Posts: 1,405	Re: one tail light extremely dim i would check what bob said... billy __________________ honestly honey,,i have no idea how that truck got here.

11-26-2006, 06:40 AM	#4
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,202	Re: one tail light extremely dim Possibly even corrosion on the 2 contacts on the hot side of the 1157 bulb. They are just lead-solder points and they can oxydize. Usually rubbing the contracts briskly against your jeans can clean then up. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 11-26-2006 at 06:40 AM. Reason: grammer

11-26-2006, 07:27 AM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: one tail light extremely dim I sometimes use a brush made for cleaning copper pipe to clean the socket or a worn battery post cleaner.Also check that the contact plate is being sprung against the bottom of the bulb. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

11-26-2006, 11:34 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: one tail light extremely dim bad bulb die electric grease that got old and thick poor connection at the bulb base poor ground dirty connections

11-26-2006, 02:34 PM	#7
Moneypit Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alpine,Texas Posts: 129	Re: one tail light extremely dim Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm working on it now and nearly forgot that I posted this last night. BTW I will have pics of my trucks up here in a few hours. Thanks. -Moneypit __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 1967 Mustang 1976 Honda XL350 2006 Victory Vegas 8-Ball 2012 Ram 1500 4x4 Last edited by Moneypit; 11-26-2006 at 02:34 PM.

11-26-2006, 11:20 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: one tail light extremely dim and the verdict?

11-29-2006, 08:28 PM	#9
Moneypit Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alpine,Texas Posts: 129	Re: one tail light extremely dim Verdict is that I checked over all the wiring, cleaned the socket with a wire brush, replaced the bulb even though it looks perfectly good and walked away to wait for dark so that I could see if there was any improvement. Came back about 8:30ish and like a moron left the ignition switch on when messing with the heater blower and had a dead battery. Couldn't find my jumper cables and had to leave town for business. Just got back today and am fixing to walk outside and jump her to see what happens. Let you know in a couple of hours. BTW, thanks for caring! LOL __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 1967 Mustang 1976 Honda XL350 2006 Victory Vegas 8-Ball 2012 Ram 1500 4x4

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