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Tail light turn signal keeps blowing the bulb

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  #1  
Old 12-09-2013, 08:11 PM
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Default Tail light turn signal keeps blowing the bulb

Turn signal in passenger rear keeps blowing the bulb? What do I need to look for, put new bulb in today and the bulb went in less than a an hour so it is not the bulb, what could it be? Thanks
 
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Old 12-09-2013, 08:19 PM
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If you have the tow pkg., open your tailgate and look between the body and the bumper for a bundle of wires. These are for your trailer lights and have been known to rub the body and over time short out. This would be a good starting point. Good Luck.
 
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Old 12-10-2013, 12:00 AM
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hard to figure how a 12 v batt system can burn out a 12 v bulb. shorts blow fuse or burn wires,not bulbs.
how can you get excess volts in a 12 v car? any time any bulb lights up it has the full 12 v across it.
I cant see any way it can happen!!
 

Last edited by happythree; 12-10-2013 at 12:06 AM.
  #4  
Old 12-10-2013, 09:52 AM
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Are the bulbs really blowing or is there a burnt/bad contact in the associated lamp socket?

Next time the tail lamp stops working, jiggle the bulb in the socket and see if it lights. If it does, pull the bulb and look at it's connections to see if one is disscolored/burnt and also look into the socket for the same damage. If you see such damage, you can replace the socket (expensive GM only part) or try cleaning the contacts with a small folded piece of fine grit sandpaper. Clean the burnt bulb connection the same way or just pop in a new bulb.
 
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Old 12-10-2013, 05:30 PM
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I would be more inclined to think the socket, have not had a chance to look it over yet, I changed the bulb when it was dark out so it very well could be the socket. I will let you guys know. Thanks for the help.
 
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Old 12-10-2013, 08:30 PM
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Just went outside to hook up a trailer, the bulb works, it just does not blink when the blinker is on. So it must be the socket, this bulb did not blow, just the blinker does not work. I found and entire tail light with the wiring, OEM on ebay brand new for cheap, just going to swap out the tail light and harness.
 
  #7  
Old 12-13-2013, 05:41 PM
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I think the bulb has 2 filaments. one is on,the other should blink?
still must be the socket but could be wire or?
 
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Old 12-13-2013, 07:10 PM
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I had a similar issue on one of our H3s. The brake light worked but the right turn signal didn't. Changed the bulb no difference. Swapped the bulb into the left side and it worked fine.

I ended up having to go to the dealer and it was the frickin' BCM. They reprogrammed it and everything worked.

Are you sure the element is "blowing"? Have you checked the circut with a meter?
 
  #9  
Old 12-17-2013, 07:54 PM
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Default OK here is the deal

I got a whole new light and wire set up from ebay, OEM and cheap. Put it in today and everything works fine. I think everything is fine with the old set, the first bulb went bad, when i replaced the bulb I did not press it in hard enough, so when I pulled the tail light the bulb had fallen out….. problem solved, it was me! Not the H3 So if anyone needs a cheap tail light I just listed it in the classifieds, with a note that the top socket might be bad, but It probably isn't
 
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