Mechanic question -- tail light going out

[LostinVA]

I was stopped by The Fuzz about a month ago telling me my passenger tail light was out. I went to the auto store, bought bulbs, replaced. The Fuzz stopped me on the way to work -- SAME THING. When I got to work, I "Fonzied" the taillight with my fist and it popped on.

Am I correct in thinking that this is just a loose wire/connection, and Strauss or Autozone can fix this quickly and relatively cheaply?

[hobbit709]

1. Could be loose connection

or dirty contacts in the socket. What year car? What kind of bulbs?

[LostinVA]

2. VW Golf TDI, 2006

I can't remmeber what kind of tail light bulbs. They were cheapish.

[hobbit709]

3. Got a small emory board like for fingernails?

In the bottom of the socket, wipe it across the contact point. If there's any dirt or corrosion that should clear it up. you can also give it a short squirt of WD40 and wipe it dry with a paper towel to get rid of any crud. That clears up about 90% of intermitent problems.

[LostinVA]

4. Really??? I thought it would be a loose connection

I']ll try taht before I take it to Autozone or Strauss.

How can I tell that's the problem?

[Rambis]

5. My Nissan

the wire to the light had rusted out so when I went over bumps it would flicker because the two ends would rub. As soon as they fixed that the light came back on and I got cruise control back.

[KansDem]

6. Does Nissan have a problem with its electronics?

My wife has a 2000 Quest. We bought it used a couple of years ago. For awhile it worked great, then problems started cropping up with the electrical system--
1) Driver's side window won't move up or down;
2) Rear-window wipers stopped working;
3) Fan for heat and air only works on highest setting (four settings--only works on "4")
4) Left turn signal doesn't work;
5) License-plate lights won't work

I mean, I think there are more electrical applications not working than are working!

[Rambis]

7. Yes

great motors bad electronics in some years-

[jmowreader]

8. Get a pencil with an eraser on it, and clean the inside of the socket w/the eraser

Taillight sockets corrode. Cleaning them with an eraser will remove the corrosion.

If you could get a typewriter eraser that would be better, but I don't think they make them anymore.

[LostinVA]

9. UPDATE: It was a dirty contact -- it's working fine, now!