Puddle light problems?

[Lifeline]

Ok,
For some reason, any time I do a simple “easy” install, something on my truck screws up. I went to upgrade my puddle light bulbs in the mirrors. Got everything taken apart just fine. Problem came when I went to put the new bulbs in. They would push in the socket, and fall right back out. I had the correct bulbs. I tried several times and they wouldn’t fit. So I gave up and went to put the stock bulb back in, now the same thing happens with that one. The stock bulb won’t even stay in place?? So I put it all back together and now no puddle light on the drivers side (I never took the passenger side apart). Any suggestions or ideas? Spent over an hour on a quick and easy mod, with nothing to show but frustration!!

 

[daytonaviolet]

Ok,
For some reason, any time I do a simple “easy” install, something on my truck screws up. I went to upgrade my puddle light bulbs in the mirrors. Got everything taken apart just fine. Problem came when I went to put the new bulbs in. They would push in the socket, and fall right back out. I had the correct bulbs. I tried several times and they wouldn’t fit. So I gave up and went to put the stock bulb back in, now the same thing happens with that one. The stock bulb won’t even stay in place?? So I put it all back together and now no puddle light on the drivers side (I never took the passenger side apart). Any suggestions or ideas? Spent over an hour on a quick and easy mod, with nothing to show but frustration!!

i updated all interior and puddle lights to led without any issues. do you have pictures of the inside of your puddle lights? want to see what's causing the bulbs to fall out. perhaps something was bent when you removed the original bulbs?

 

[flyrv9]

I would compare the physical size of an old and new bulb and see if they are the same. Either the contact pins or tabs are different; or the body of the new bulb is different and doesn't fit well. The problem with a lot of this aftermarket stuff is that it's just crap. Oh, and remember to pull the appropriate fuse or disconnect the battery before starting anything electrical.

 

[Lifeline]

The problem is the old bulb won’t even fit in now. It pulled out just fine and was “snug”. Now it’s like nothing grabs the bulb when I plug it in. I can still see the socket connectors, but nothing wants to hold either the old or the new bulb in place if that makes sense.

 

[flyrv9]

Yes it makes sense. It sounds like the contacts got spread apart or bent in a way that they now don't hold well so the bulb is loose. I'd carefully pull the bulb that works and compare the two sockets. You might be able to discover the issue and fix it by carefully adjusting the contacts.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Your new bulb probably has a wider base and when you pushed it in it it wasn’t square, it was probably cocked at an angle and the brass contacts in the socket got hyper extended, now they are too far apart or bent over. Look at them and with a small thin screwdriver blade carefully bend them back into place. You may want to disassemble the passenger side to use as an example of how they should look. Be careful so you don’t break the contacts. And as preciously mentioned, remove the fuse or battery ground while working on it. Good luck.

PS, Your local auto parts store probably has an exact LED replacement in the Philips or Sylvania brand (168?). They will fit properly.

 

[daytonaviolet]

The problem is the old bulb won’t even fit in now. It pulled out just fine and was “snug”. Now it’s like nothing grabs the bulb when I plug it in. I can still see the socket connectors, but nothing wants to hold either the old or the new bulb in place if that makes sense.

I believe the metal legs which clamp on the bulbs may have bent. You probably bent it out of shape so it can’t hold the bulb.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yep, sounds like you bent the pin contacts

 

[scoplnr]

I just did this. The puddle lights/connectors are in a rubber sheath inside a plastic outer cover. What happened is the connectors moved too far inside the rubber sheath and now wont connect. You need to push the plaster outer cover back and then take some tweezers and pull the connectors through to the outside of the rubber piece. Once you have them both out then slowly push them back into the rubber piece, but not to far. They will hold there and then hold the bulb.