tailight issues

msunkenberg · Post by **msunkenberg** » 05 Mar 2006, 15:58

this is my first post, i just aquired a 1981 244 dl.

the car runs well, but there seem to be some issues with the taillights. when i got it the brake lights would not work, i cleaned the connections on the assemblies and the light holders and they started to work, then stopped. more fiddling, they worked again. in reading through the past posts, its seems that this is a pretty common occurence.

some posts mentioned putting silicone grease over the contacts? is it possibel that these things could oxidize again in 24 hours ?

when one of the lights was not working i checked the current with a voltmeter and i ma getting 12 volts at the light. if this continues as an intermitent problem, could this be a relay issue? the fuse box is not corroded, and the fuses are good ()and the brass type).

any info would be appreciated,

thank you,

mike

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 05 Mar 2006, 19:53

The dielectric (silicone) grease is helpful to prevent long-term corrosion and help make the contact since it will carry a current.

If you havent' done so already, I would change the bulbs. The old bulbs may have their own intermittent fault problems, as well.

Another thing to check, too, is the condition of the black grounding wires where they attach to the body. A good cleaning of these connections and the application of silicone grease is helpful.

msunkenberg · Post by **msunkenberg** » 06 Mar 2006, 06:48

thank you for the info.

i changed some of the bulbs. it was odd, one worked then stopped and the other one wouldn't work then started. right now they both seem to be working.

i did notice there seem to be two different style of bulb sockets in that the connections ar e a little different.

i will pick up some of the silicone grease and give that a try.

the ground wires looked okay.

msunkenberg · Post by **msunkenberg** » 06 Mar 2006, 18:09

so tonight, i got some of that dialectic grease and i removed the taillights, cleaned all of the contacts and covered all of the contacts in the grease. i noticed that the few bulbs that i have not had any problems with are the ones that still have the old grease on them.

anyway, i took it for a spin and the lights are all working, but everytime i press the brake peddle there is an audible click sound, is this normal, or is is this still that bulb warning switch makeing noise? it sounds liek ti could be the light switch at the brake peddle.

again thank you for the help.

also my gaskets on the lights were all rotted, any idea where i can get some new ones?>