Guy Lowe Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 Strange question, are the current rear light bulb holders the same as the old ones (see image below) it's the pin/contact arrangement I am interested in. The units I have were fitted in 1990 and work fine but I have just had a 21/5 tail brake bulb fail and the neither of the twin pack I bought from Halfords work. Tried in both sides and only the brake filament works but they work fine in the tin top. The bulbs are both good but they seem not to locate the contacts on the tail light supply in the holder, have the contacts always been on a sprung loaded pusher plate arrangement or do some have individual sprung pins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted March 3, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted March 3, 2022 Seems very odd. I don't think lights or bulbs have changed. I can only think that there is a bad contact. Not surveillance you are able to dismantle but I'd clean the contacts and make sure there is enough pressure against the bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 Ard the nibs on the side of the bulb in the same place and orientation ? Some models are not symmetrical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 There are two types of stop/tail light - straight pin and offset pin. The offset ones have one locating pin higher than the other. Make sure you've got the right type - should be fairly obvious if you look at the holder.Edit: Obvious problem 1: the first one is clearly not a stop/tail bulb. Problem 2, if the pins weren't offset then there's be no way to orient it correctly. So actually I think I'm talking bollocks - the straight/offset issue must only applies to single-filament bulbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted March 3, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted March 3, 2022 "So actually I think I'm talking bollocks" I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted March 3, 2022 Author Share Posted March 3, 2022 # 2 Yes all cleaned & spring working as it should do, the bulb from the O/S works in it okay but both new bulbs don't work in either side# 3 Yes they are all 180 degree opposed & staggered pins# 4 As above, straight pin with one locating pin higher than the other# 5 I agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul N Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Probably a stupid question but have you tried a test light on the contacts to make sure power there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Do the pin heights and contact orientation on the new bulbs match that of the old one thats still working? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted March 4, 2022 Author Share Posted March 4, 2022 #7 Yes Paul, both contacts live when lights & brake switches are closed, the old bulbs work perfectly#8 Yes I have measured the pin height with calipers, position exact, same with contacts . . . . Strange Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted March 4, 2022 Author Share Posted March 4, 2022 Just found 2 old 25/5 bulbs in my "keep it just in case" box and both work okay, so I will use one of those and bin the new Halfords ones . . . . . . . . Still very strange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Is the spring in the holder, er, springy? It may have partly rusted away. Do both contacts go up and down smoothly? The plate may be tipping when you push the bulb in. Possible solution is to add solder to the tail light bump so it's higher and makes contact or even cut off the contacts and solder the wires direct to the bulb (though that's desperation!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted March 4, 2022 Author Share Posted March 4, 2022 Yes spring works fine, the contacts do not move separately as they are set into the backing plate (see image in OP) that's why I asked if CC had changed them over the years as this would be a better option. Tony, adjusting the contact height with a soldering iron and/or file is not a desperate option, I have used it many times in my misspent yoof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Yeah but backing plate can tilt as it's pushed down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted March 4, 2022 Author Share Posted March 4, 2022 Tony, about 30 years old and still in my toolbox today, homemade 2 way 12V tester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted March 4, 2022 Author Share Posted March 4, 2022 Yes it could but you would see it if it did through the slots in the side of the holder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 4, 2022 Member Share Posted March 4, 2022 In case anyone ever needs the types.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 #14 I have something very similar (though not as posh - only one way) but I'm ashamed to say I can't find it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Arundel Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 Ah! Gone are the days when you could just pour in some calcium carbide and then pee on it and light it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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