My license plate bulb went out and after replacing it and reinstalling the socket, it won't work. I'm getting power to it but i have a feeling something is jacked up in the ground. Can someone explain how this socket grounds and what the metal tab is that is sticking out? Thanks.
If you are trying to get the light to illuminate with the socket out (like in the picture), it won't work. The complete circuit consists of the terminal (button in the center) passing current thru the bulb, which is grounded to the socket casing, and the current returning to the battery (to complete the circuit) thru the vehicle body/frame. So, the ground must be connected which means that the socket must be in contact with its metal housing and have a continuous conductive path all the way to a good vehicle ground (frame, body, etc.). Clean the socket outer casing, and put it back into it's position on the car (checking for good metal to metal connection). Or, replace the bulb with one that's not burned out...
you have to look at the socket and see if it is loose or the tab on the side isnt making contact. the 12v comes in the back on the wire and makes contact in the center of the bulb and grounds through the side of the base by touching the socket sides and it has to make contact through the tab, or the steel housing down to the frame. If the socket base is loose from the housing you may have excessive resistance and that will cause it have problems as well.
First thing first was replacing the bulb since it worked fine before. Didn't work with new bulb. I figured that with one wire coming in that this had to be grounded through the body so i tried it all sorts of ways with still no light. I cleaned off everything that made contact with a wire brush and still no light. I figured the contact at the base of the bulb could use some cleaning but it actually broke off while trying to clean it. Old stuff in there. Gonna get a new pigtail in and see if that helps. Thanks for the quick input guys.
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