Q; Replacing rear blinker bulbs

[cheezwizard]

1999/3.5GX/94K

A few days ago my right blinker started blinking double fast. I was worried there may be some electrical problem, since the front blinkers/running lights both worked. Finally today I remembered to check the rear blinker and sure enough, the r/rear bulb is out.

I don't have the owner's manual handy right now, but I recall reading about rear bulb replacement when I read thru it a few years back. I guess there are 3-4 plastic clips you have to remove under the trunk carpet to pull off the plastic rear light housing. Is this a PITA to do, or is it as simple as it should be?

Another thing is, apparently the previous owner or a mechanic put some type of yellow adhesive looking stuff around my r/rear light housing. I don't know why, or what it is exactly, but I believe it's the reason this plastic is always fogged up while the other side is totally clear. I'm hoping it won't be a problem in getting it off but who knows.

I'm at 94K and will be taking it to the shop in the next week to replace the tranny fluid, radiator flush, brake job and some other things. I don't know if it would be a waste to have them replace the bulb or not. Also I've a fair bit of junk in the trunk (small apt, no closet space), not sure if this would make getting at the clips difficult or not. It's not packed to the brim or anything but the floor is pretty well covered.

Thanks for any advice, gang. If there's any other 100K maintenance I should consider please do share.

[Circle]

I replaced a right rear dir. signal bulb a while ago. There are four or six plastic wing nuts on threaded shafts that hold the tail light assembly on. Some are under the carpeting and if you have a CD changer, that has to come out to get to one of the nuts behind it. The assembly then pulls away from the car, unless that yellow stuff is really adhesive. Good luck.

[cheezwizard]

Thanks, I think I'll give it a shot myself. One thing I should've asked - does anyone know what type of bulb I need to buy to replace it? Will auto zone or napa know the right kind?

Thanks again.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by cheezwizard

does anyone know what type of bulb I need to buy to replace it? Will auto zone or napa know the right kind? Thanks again.

3057 or 3157.

[cheezwizard]

Thanks guys. I got around to replacing the bulb today and it was as simple as I'd hoped.

Unfortunately, the new bulb hasn't fixed the problem. The old bulb was definitely blown, all black and what not. But I'm still getting the fast right turn signal and the new bulb isn't lighting up.

I guess maybe the socket went bad too? I looked into it, and there was some minor discoloration, kindof a reddish color, but nothing that screamed "bad socket" at least not to an auto ignoramo like me.

There was a small amount of water in the light housing, not sure how it got in there, but it's kept the plastic fogged up since I bought the car 2.5 years ago. Maybe the humidity did a number on the socket? The right blinker compartment had most of the water in it, as it's down on the bottom right side of the housing. No other lights have gone bad though.

It looks like I may have to have the mechanic fix the socket when I bring it in. I don't know anything about replacing electric components.

Probably a silly question, but is there maybe something I have to do to reset the bad light indicator (fast blinking)? Am I likely to have the new bulb blow if I leave it in a bad socket? Not sure if there's other things I can try in order to save a bit on the repairs bill.

Ugh, why couldn't have been a simple bulb replacement.

[BNaylor]

Hopefully it is the lamp socket but since you are taking it to a mechanic he can troubleshoot it. If the socket does not fix it or determined it is not the problem then it could be either the mulitfunction switch at the steering column or the wiring in between just to give you a heads up. Good luck.

[cheezwizard]

Just wanted to post an update. For whatever reason, the blinker started working today. Don't know why it hasn't for the past few days but I guess the new bulb registered with the car today and it's back working. It was a nice surprise.