Here's One Rear Lamp Puzzle!!!

[Darkmann]

I posted this a couple years ago but never got a response that solved the problem, so hopefully we've all got smarter. Here's the problem:

1. Whenever I have the headlights turned ON, the brake light on the passenger side stops to light up when the brake is depressed.
2. Eventually, the turn signal stops functioning also, and I mean that! They both don't malfunction at same time.
3. With lights OFF, everything works normally.
4. Now, here's the kicker: When I take out the lamp housing and just hold the harness with bulbs plugged in, everything works fine
5. And, if while its working fine, I screw the bulbs into the housing, everything stays working fine. This is the way I have been running because it works for about a month or so, and then reverts to Mode #1 described earlier!

I have taken it to dealer twice. First time they replaced bulb, second time they said it was corrosion on terminals. They cleaned terminals and it worked for about 2 months and then just went back to being bad. What's going on? I have tried to track the harness to make sure it's not being bound when I close the trunk. Everything seems OK. So, help me if you can. Thanks.

[2004NBTURBOS]

The prong in the light socket need to be pried up so they make good contact with the bulb. It's a common problem. Did it in both my 2000GLX and my 2003TS. Give it a shot.

[Darkmann]

Thanks. Here's one case where I'm glad to hear that it's a common problem - at least I know there's a solution. I will try that and report. Thanks again.

[Basher]

Could be a bad ground connection too.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Yep, "ground" problems (or actually lack of) make electrical circuits do all kinds of wierd things.

MORAV

[KNEWBUG]

So, myotherridesavette I see you live in Texas, do you plan on going to Roswell in June with your NBC????

[SMG]

I had a similar problem with my 2000 NB. I broke down and replaced the actual bulb socket and it's been great since. I replaced 4 on the car. If you use the super bright bulbs in them they'll start turning the sockets light brown, they'll crack and moisture will get in and eventually kill the socket.

[Darkmann]

Everything on mine is OEM. I had taken the bulb out and cleaned everythig just prior to the original post. So far everything is working fine. So I don't think it's a grounding problem. I think it's the prongs. I'm sure that in a few weeks it will start malfuntioning again. I'll do as 2004NBTURBOS suggested - I really think that's the problem based on how it's behaved to date.

[58and03beetles]

i dealt with this problem on my 03 vert- vw has since updated the sockets. im not sure about the rears. I must have removed and bent the bulb contact forward a dozen times and it would last a while and then revert back. this is probably due to memory in the metal and the heat of electricity allowing it to return faster. anyhow, i got sick and tired of rapid turn signal flash so i replaced the socket and after 3 years i havent had to acknowledge its existence. I am running silverstar orange bulbs with clear front lenses, but i dont think it makes a difference. i would check ground with a muiltimeter at the connections. then clean them with 1000 grit sand paper rolled around a q-tip. when done with that use another q-tip to apply electrical contact grease to seal the contacts from oxidation- it will prevent problems.

I own a 58 beetle and Im in a vintage vw club. many of the members have converted there car to 12v, added halogen headlights, led taillights and some new wire harnesses. whats funny is my lights are brighter. I have incandescent all around in 6v- with the same wiring harness that was installed in 1958. you know the difference? i spent the better part of a weekend disconnecting, sanding and painting on electrical grease at every last connection on the car. it made a difference in everything. my car used to start rrrr rrr rrr ppwhww purrrrr, nows its rrpurrr, like my igntiion is an on off switch not a starter switch.

a major importance with grounds is that if they are not there sometimes the electricity will seek ground through a complicated circuit through another wire. this would explain your turn signal delayed failure- however if it is a simple circuit- it simply doesnt work. my 58 is simple circuits, a new beetle is anything but!

electrical gremlins dont like the taste of clean copper and electrical grease