Faulty Socket

[ftpiercecracker1]

So after much toil, frustration, longs nights, and cramped neck muscles staring blankly at wires I am certain i have located (at least one) of my elusive eletrical problems. The light socket for the driver side indicator, the one directly below the HL is apparently worn out or just plain faulty. 

 

With the drivers side blinker engaged, nothing will happen, UNTIL you wiggle the wires on said socket. Then everything works, dash light indicator, side marker, and the blinker itself.  ALL bulbs are new and of same brand, both relays in the fuse panel are new (flasher and blinker),  the Oh-So important electrical connector for the HL harness has been disconnected, cleaned, and reinstalled. ALL grounds have been redone and moved, where advised. 

 

 

Now onto the question, how do i go about replacing the socket or upgrading the HL harness?

 

thanks for everything

ftpiercecracker

[Byrdock]

O'Reilly's has a replacement socket that will work. I had a wire broken flush with the socket and went there looking something to fix it. They had the same socket in the electrical help section. It shows it's for a Ford but it looks the same. Only difference is 2 wires are different. From memory, and don't quote me on this, the blue and brown wires, one is top middle, are in opposite places on the ford socket, DON'T match wire colors!! Hook wires up in the same POSITION they are on the original socket. I'll look for the part # in my receipts and post later if I can find it.

[87manche1]

What he said i installed the socket with a newer bulb though the flat connection type. Worked great

[Byrdock]

Part # 84716 Lists as a Dorman part so you should be able to find it at any parts store.

[ftpiercecracker1]

thanks Byrdock. :thumbsup:  

 

and another thing, apparently when a bulb goes in the front wiring harness or there is a fault, the correlating indicator in the dash becomes lit. I noticed this tonight when i turned my headlights on and the left turn signal was iluminated, although the running lights were functioning, the left blinker didnt work, again, until i wiggled the socket. Blinker came on, indicator acted normal, flashing when engaged, dark when not.

 

Just FYI :cheers:

[Byrdock]

Yeah, I noticed that too. Thought it was a fault in the dash lights before I found the loose wire at the socket. Also forgot to mention that I had to  add the sealing washer from the old socket to the new one to get a tight fit.

[ftpiercecracker1]

To the housing i assume.

[Byrdock]

Yes, the foam/rubber washer on the socket behind the locking lugs. It was a little loose with just 1 washer, and I didn't want to worry about it falling out of the housing when I'm driving. Now I've got to get some of the retaining screws out that have rusted the heads off.

[mnkyboy]

Is your socket metal or plastic, I think 90 was the year they changed so yours could have either.

 

I replaced my stock plastic sockets with the later sealed metal sockets from a later XJ and have yet to have another problem with them.

[ftpiercecracker1]

I have plastic sockets and i have replaced every screw in the headlight bezels (?) with small self tapers, work great even in the fiberglass.

[ftpiercecracker1]

Ok, which filament in the bulbs are responsible for blinking?  I am still having issues with this darn thing. Even though it works, I think the whole harness is just FUBAR. This is NOT my bulb, just using it for filament reference. On the side that has the original socket (passenger side), the shorter filament is the one responsible for blinking, while the taller one comes on as the running light. However, on the side with the New socket (driver side), the opposite happens, actualy the blinker doesnt work at all and only the shorter filament lights.

 

Yes i followed Byrdocks instructions. After much thought i cut the connections and matched color to wire, black to black, blue to blue, brown to gray with black stripe and the blinker works. However, the next issue is HOW they blink.

 

With the HL off, the blinkers flash together, but with the HL or RL on they blink opposite. Sidemarker goes dark, indicator flashes, sidemarker goes dark, indicator flashes.  I don't think this is supposed to happen, i think they are supposed to blink together whether or not HL are on, sooo. :dunno:

[ftpiercecracker1]

Ok so, besides the difference in blinker pattern everything is working great now. BUT, yes i know this is getting old, when the truck is up to temp the HL kick on and off sporatically, I am nearly certain it is because the switch is getting warm because of the brighter HL i have in. What can be done about this so that they don't shut off?

 

The other thing is the electric fan switch, i let the truck warm up today and let the temp needle get right on the line before the red/orange zone and the fan never came on. I have tested the sensor in a pot of boiling water and it seems to be operating as it should. Water starts to get a little bubbly, pre boiling temp, and the circuit becomes closed. Using a multimeter it goes from infinite resistance to about .4 which tells me the sensor is perfectly fine. I also checked the wiring. Turning the key to run, I have 12 volts to the sensor plug and using a jumper wire to connect the two leads the fan immediately comes on and i can hear the relay engage.

 

So WTH?? :fs1:

[Byrdock]

On the blinker problem you should only have 1 black wire match. The other 2 wires should be blue to gray and brown to blue. The wires should be in the same position on the socket as the old one, colors don't matter.

Can't help with the rest. Had to replace HL switch when I got it to get the dash lights off bright, and haven't gotten around to checking the electric fan.

[ftpiercecracker1]

On the blinker problem you should only have 1 black wire match. The other 2 wires should be blue to gray and brown to blue. The wires should be in the same position on the socket as the old one, colors don't matter.

Can't help with the rest. Had to replace HL switch when I got it to get the dash lights off bright, and haven't gotten around to checking the electric fan.

 

 

Did exactly that, wasnt right so :dunno:   On my second attempt i matched colors then it was right.

 

Either way, blinkers work and i have found a solution to the HL issue that i think will benefit everyone.  And i will be starting a new topic on my electric fan problem.