The damndest thing!

Noticing that the brake light doesn't work on the driver side (although the tail light does), I decide to take out the old bulb. It breaks.

So I stick a new bulb in, and nothing! Nada!

I put a test lamp to the socket, and it lights.

Its supposed to be the same type of bulb. They have the same number. I noticed, though, that the two contacts on the old bulb are bigger than the two contacts on the new bulb.

So whats' going on here? Why would the test lamp go on, but the bulb not?

the taillight bulbs are 1157's the problem is usually the sockets the contacts bend and corrode making poor connections i had to replace 4 out of 6 of mine in my impala you can get replacements at the parts store i recomend soldering in the new ones and cover them with shrink tubing. its a pretty simple job. you could also take an awl or small screwdriver and scrape down the contacts untill you get some kind of shine from them. good luck

Thanks for the reply, helrazr3.

I figured it out. The bulb and socket has to be set into the tail light housing to light up.

I think this is because it needs to be ground at a metal contact on the tail light housing.

Thanks for the reply.

you would be exactly right. take a small wire brush and clean the holes up a little that should help also

ENOUGH SAID????? WHEWWW

Cool down a bit 66 chev. you"ve just put years on poor oldHelrazr3.....4,5,6....

o.k....deep breath...I'm better...

Patience is something that a rookie like me has to learn with time (I just have to be patient!)