Hey all, I'm going to pick your brains. My car: '77 Mercury Comet. My issue: Previous owner "replaced" the driver side front signal light socket with a newer plastic one. However, it's for a different bulb. I forget the bulb # but it's something like 502 or 502A, something like that. The right side has the origional bulb/socket. For a while my driver side signal was working with my head lights on, however the running light on that side would stay off, which I'm fine with, at least I could drive at night with head lights and indicate to stranger where the heck I'm going. I had my dad take the car for a drive the other day to se if he could hear any knocks that I wouldn't, since his ears are tuned to the sound of a cars heart. He saw that the interior signal light indicator wasn't working for left hand turns, which is fine. It never did, the bulb in the dash is burned out and I'm in no rush to rip apart the dash to fix it. But he didn't know this, so he fiddled with the bulb up front, and thats how the problem came back. It has been wet here in town, so I'm thinking maybe some moisture is working it's way into where the prev ownere spliced the wires to fit in this new, incorrect socket. My question is this: is there a short list of easy to find junkers that share similar sockets to the Comet? I'd rather rip 2 of them out of a junker and replace both of mine rather than fiddling around with this nucance any more.
Brad If i'am right your turn sig. and parking light are in the grill mounted light ??? You can't just change the socket you need to change the light complete. If you need the lights I have a pair PM me . Jay
The late model grill use a plastic light and socket that twist in from the back. You should be able to get replacement sockets for that type at any parts store because the design was used on a lot of later vehicles, Ford and GM. I know for a fact that 73-76 Chevy pickups use the same socket.....
Hey thanks for the responses. Yeah, the signal lights are in the grill, however they twist out from behind. I'm going to head to NAPA after work and see if tehre's anything comparable. Here's hoping, I need me my late night cruises.
Went to NAPA, no deal. The one comparable socket they had is discontinued. But the front desk guy checked out my signal for me and noticed the brown and black wires were connected backwards (brown black, black to brown) so I switched them and something magical happened. Mysifying even. ALL OF MY POWER WENT OUT. Nothiing for lights, radio, ignition, EVERYTHING. I always thought the power for the ignition is seperate from the lights. Oh old cars, you so weird.
I'm wondering if something's crossed. As soon as I turn on the dash light, the signal light stops. passenger side will still work, drivers won't. Drivers is the one with the "new" plasic socket. My head is going to explode, I hate hate hate driving on days like today (rainy, overcast) without headlights.
Okie dokie. Had a vehicular electrician friend of my brothers check out the wiring. He says that it's a little messed up, but should still be working. He didn't have his tools on hand so he couldn't test with the ohm meter for grounds. He's thinking it's either the switch in the steering column, for the headlight switch. Both of which are a PITA to get at (for someone new to mechanics like my self at least) Are the headlight/signal switches easy to come by now-a-days?
For a light socket, switching the wires makes no difference. 12V DC lights are not polarized. Check your grounds like your buddy suggested. Look here for help with diagnosing your problem: http://1bad6t.com/Maverick/repair/chassis_electrical.html
