Strange electrical problem concerning turn signal/license plate lights

[josh01LS]

Ok, starting off I have already searched for this problem. Last week when I was out of town my right rear turn signal burned out. So I replaced the bulb and I get into my car and the bulb light on my dash is still on. So I find the fuse in the rear fuse compartment in the trunk and replace it. Before I close my trunk I check to see if the bulb works. Success! It works! I get my trunk reorganized. The next day I go to work and once again the bulb light on my dash is on and I still have no right rear blinker. I then notice that my license plate lights are burnt out. So I replaced lights and the fuse again because the right rear turn and the license plate lights use the same fuse. The bulb holders looked a little rusty and also the outer covers for the bulbs seem to be leaking a little water. So my question would be should I replace both bulb holders and also the outer covers? Would this fix my problem?? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[LS4me]

So my question would be should I replace both bulb holders and also the outer covers? Would this fix my problem?? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Sounds stupid, but it can't hurt. It appears the bulb is shorting out the fuse and the socket (they do get brittle and crack with age) being old and brittle could be allowing the contacts to touch. You want to always start with the easiest and cheapest repair first. That usually cures the problem.

If by "outer covers" you mean the lenses, first see if they just need to be resealed. That said, on my daughter's 2000 I replaced the lenses as the moulding around the edges was cracking and breaking away. As far as I know it wasn't leaking (yet), but the way the lights looked I figured leaking wasn't too far off.

 

[josh01LS]

Sounds stupid, but it can't hurt. It appears the bulb is shorting out the fuse and the socket (they do get brittle and crack with age) being old and brittle could be allowing the contacts to touch. You want to always start with the easiest and cheapest repair first. That usually cures the problem.

If by "outer covers" you mean the lenses, first see if they just need to be resealed. That said, on my daughter's 2000 I replaced the lenses as the moulding around the edges was cracking and breaking away. As far as I know it wasn't leaking (yet), but the way the lights looked I figured leaking wasn't too far off.

Good call, I talked with Max from Fivestar Wednesday and the two sockets are on their way. Thanks LS4me!

 

[Hawk03]

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=42243

 

[josh01LS]

Actually, I did a little more investigating and I found two wires that run along the trunk arm on the right side worked themselves out of the wire loom and had copper exposed. With some splicing everything is back to normal, for now.

I also replaced my drivers side door handle. Now all I have left is the clockspring and the module that controls all door locks because both drivers side doors do not unlock with the remote.

Thanks guys for your input and also thanks Max from FiveStar Ford!

 

[joegr]

Actually, I did a little more investigating and I found two wires that run along the trunk arm on the right side worked themselves out of the wire loom and had copper exposed. With some splicing everything is back to normal, for now.

I also replaced my drivers side door handle. Now all I have left is the clockspring and the module that controls all door locks because both drivers side doors do not unlock with the remote.

Thanks guys for your input and also thanks Max from FiveStar Ford!

I doubt that it is the modules. On gen II (if I recall correctly) the driver's door lock is controlled by the driver's door module. The other three locks are controlled by the REM.