SubzeroX

So i go to pep boys, get the P21 5w bulb for the brake light/tail light, change the right side one and its working... and i look over to the left and see a new bulb and i think sweet, change this one too.

So i changed the left bulb, and i started the lights, the left brake light (bulb i just changed) is not working. I take the light out again, take the bulb out and put it back in, no dice. So i keep the lights on and I'm playing with the bulb.

I notice that when not fully pressed and locked into position, it works. When i twist it into position, it doesnt turn on. So i keep messing around with it, then i hear a "chk" from what sounded like the front, and ALL of the left sided lights (front light, side orange light, and all tail lights) turn off. I turn the lights off and on again, no dice only the right works, not the left.

The head light works, the fog lights work, but the front parking light, side orange light and all of the tail lights dont work now. Did i short a fuse? what can i do now??

thanks!

and i'm freakin' PISSED now too

Sneaky Pete

Maybe...check your fuse box. Personally I would not have the lights on when changing a bulb for the same reason.

SubzeroX

What am I looking for when I "check the fuse box"? It all looks the same to me except with different colors n numbers

Ahsai

Fuse diagram here https://rennlist.com/forums/7090199-post3.html

Ahsai

Btw, are you sure the new bulb and old bulb are identical? I.e., some have a single pin (single filament) and some have two pins (two filaments).

Spokayman

Also, some bulb's pins are arranged opposite each other and some are staggered and not symmetrically arranged on the bulb.

SubzeroX

i got double filament just like old bulb. when i see the fuse.. what am i looking for? ie what do i do with it?

Imo000

If you have a buddy that knows how to check them, let him/her show you.

alpine003

There should be a fuse puller tool next to the fuses. Take that and pull the fuse you think is out based on the fuse diagram. Check to see if filament is broken or burnt visually. Most of the time a fuse blows, you should be able to see a visual break. Occasionally this won't be detectable to the naked eye and that's when you'll need either a multimeter to read the resistance or a circuit tester.

5CHN3LL

Spend the extra few cents to buy the fuses that illuminate when they are blown. Those fuses rock.

fpb111

Looks like A4 is the first one to check.

SubzeroX

you were correct... A4 was oouuuttt...




so i changed it with the spare fuse that was on the panel on the bottom. But i also figured out why my brake light was not working... apparently while i took off a GOOD working break light, just to change the bulb to a new one i had laying around, somehow i broke the metal tab that the bulb connects too... Here are a couple of pictures showing what i mean...

here's the working good socket:



unbroken tab on the good socket:



and the broken tab on the bad socket.. notice difference in this pic and above pic. you can see the tab come up and curve.. and it breaks at the end of the curve.








anyone have any idea how to fix it? solder on a piece of metal? any help? thanks!!

Ahsai

You may be able to get away with it by unbending and flattening the remaining part a bit and then make the same curve but bending it at a point closer to the center of the socket. As is, that broken pin is shorting out the +ve bulb pin to the ground of the bulb.

Otherwise, either salvage yard or new harness/connectors for ~$230

SubzeroX

cant i just solder on a piece of metal to it?

Ahsai

It's possible but you will need a 100w or so soldering iron to be powerful enough to heat up that piece of metal. Also diificult in close quarter with meltable plastic around.