driver side front side marker always out
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: nj
driver side front side marker always out
anybody else have this problem? i must have replaced this bulb a few times this year already. it seems to get wet and corroded pretty quickly. i think my current socket is corroded because i put in a new bulb and it still doesn't come on. i guess i'll see if i can clean up the socket and try again tomorrow or i will be forced to buy a new socket again.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
I read and think I drilled a very tiny hole in the lens cover on the bottom to let moisture out. I also cleaned the contacts and used conductor grease on the socket before inserting the bulb to keep moisture out of the socket.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
I had moisture that got into the right rear marker. That is what finally convinced me to do away with the markers once and for all and go with the Harrier look (smoothed out the sides with some paste and then painted over the holes).
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: nj
to be honest i dont see moisture in the lamp at all or the socket. i did clean out the socket but it still doesn't work. i actually had extra used sockets from be4. no combination of sockets or bulbs work. tried a few bulbs too. any clue?
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: New York
The same happened to one of my RX300. I think the proper way to fix it is to first examine the assembly for any crack and leak; then replace the socket (I got it from the dealer for a little over $10). And finally, wipe a thin coat of silicon greas on the rubber O-ring seal on the socket and then inserting/twisting the socket into the assembly. If necessary you can also make a few drop of dieelectric silicon greas into the socket contacts before hedging the bulb into it.
The unit should be sealed after the socket is in its place. I am not sure a small drain whole on the lens is a long term solution. This is because moisture can still get into the socket through the small whole and build rust slowly on the contacts.
The unit should be sealed after the socket is in its place. I am not sure a small drain whole on the lens is a long term solution. This is because moisture can still get into the socket through the small whole and build rust slowly on the contacts.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
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From: Miami, Florida
I remember that before I removed the side markers, that my cousin Rodrigo and I applied some silicone around in the groove between the marker and the body of the vehicle itself after we noticed quite a bit of excessive moisture. It was a major PITA to get at the rear lights and this was another small factor in why I removed them entirely.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: ca
front side marker
anybody else have this problem? i must have replaced this bulb a few times this year already. it seems to get wet and corroded pretty quickly. i think my current socket is corroded because i put in a new bulb and it still doesn't come on. i guess i'll see if i can clean up the socket and try again tomorrow or i will be forced to buy a new socket again.
the bulb, Thanx...
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
Here my cousin Antonio demonstrates this. You have to go underneath and remove the plastic undercover on the respective side (there are 3 10 mm bolts...very easy), and then you can get at the bulb.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
I had the same issue a few months back where one of the contacts just totally fell off. All I did pretty much was remove the socket and get a new one for $12 or so. Works fine now. As for how it get so corroded, probably just from water running in on one side more than the other. You could get a new side marker I guess.
As for LexMex going in from the bottom, that's fine, but you can go from the wheel well, just behind the bumper too. Remove the two or three retainer bolts and the well opens up just slghtly for your to fit your arm in and a small rachet in there. Depending on how big your arms are, LexMex's way might be better.
As for LexMex going in from the bottom, that's fine, but you can go from the wheel well, just behind the bumper too. Remove the two or three retainer bolts and the well opens up just slghtly for your to fit your arm in and a small rachet in there. Depending on how big your arms are, LexMex's way might be better.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
I had the same issue a few months back where one of the contacts just totally fell off. All I did pretty much was remove the socket and get a new one for $12 or so. Works fine now. As for how it get so corroded, probably just from water running in on one side more than the other. You could get a new side marker I guess.
As for LexMex going in from the bottom, that's fine, but you can go from the wheel well, just behind the bumper too. Remove the two or three retainer bolts and the well opens up just slghtly for your to fit your arm in and a small rachet in there. Depending on how big your arms are, LexMex's way might be better.
As for LexMex going in from the bottom, that's fine, but you can go from the wheel well, just behind the bumper too. Remove the two or three retainer bolts and the well opens up just slghtly for your to fit your arm in and a small rachet in there. Depending on how big your arms are, LexMex's way might be better.
On the rear marker lights I had to go via wheel well and that was a PITA. Glad those marker lights are gone for good.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I too have to replace both front sockets due to water in the assembly. There are two wires that run into the back of the socket, which I assume AlexusAnja referred to as the "contacts", so I'll use the same word. One of those contacts was completely out of the socket and has a nice green corrosion on it (the mini-bulb basically crumbled out when I went to remove it). What is typically used to clean that contact? Any corrosion left will simply be a catalyst for the future and I'd like to put that off as long as possible. Also, do these front side markers indicate my turn signal, or are they just guide lights? I'm trying to decide to what extent I care that they are burned out. 
Thanks~
Thanks~
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
I too have to replace both front sockets due to water in the assembly. There are two wires that run into the back of the socket, which I assume AlexusAnja referred to as the "contacts", so I'll use the same word. One of those contacts was completely out of the socket and has a nice green corrosion on it (the mini-bulb basically crumbled out when I went to remove it). What is typically used to clean that contact? Any corrosion left will simply be a catalyst for the future and I'd like to put that off as long as possible. Also, do these front side markers indicate my turn signal, or are they just guide lights? I'm trying to decide to what extent I care that they are burned out. Thanks~
Thanks~
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Thanks so much Lexmex. I've seen your homepage previously and was thoroughly impressed. Kudos on your work and the accompanying documentation. I'm seriously considering your suggestion of removing the bulbs and being done (the body work is a bit much for me right now, albeit I love your look), but what are the chances of a short or blown fuse due to the water that will collect in the assembly? Should I tape something around the old socket before I insert it back in the assembly? I do not like the option of drilling holes in the assembly lense, as some have suggested before.