tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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grasshopper
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:25 pm
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat Spider

tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Post by grasshopper »

Hi all. Sorry this is not Spider related. I have a 124 BC Sport Coupe. One of my back light bulbs does not work. I tried pulling the contact out a bit to make better contact and broke it. Is there any part available to replace the little bucket ? I dont want to replace entire light assembly as they are near impossible to find and quite costly im sure. Thanks.
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

This is fairly easy to fix. Buy a standard bayonet socket (base) and replace your broken one with the new socket. The old socket is cut or drilled out, and the new one can be epoxied in or perhaps there's a way to get a fastener in there.

Google "bayonet socket" or "bayonet base" and you'll see tons of these available, with some of the cheapest ones starting at a couple bucks. An auto parts store might even carry some generic ones, or even some place like Home Depot. An electrical shop would almost certainly have them. Make sure you get the right sized bulb socket, and of course whether your bulb has one or two contacts at the base (the taillight / brake bulbs have 2, and the turn signal bulbs have 1).

-Bryan
spider2081
Patron 2024
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Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Post by spider2081 »

Is there any part available to replace the little bucket ?
Any chance you can post a photo of the light socket?
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Post by DieselSpider »

I did as Brian suggested and didn't even have to bother with the epoxy as the spring clips held it in place well enough.
$3.99 at Advance Auto Parts.
Image
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dor ... mp+socketz

Note: You need to solder a ground wire to the side of the metal casing.
spider2081
Patron 2024
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Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Post by spider2081 »

Thanks Diesel
I should have been more specific. I was hoping grasshopper could post a photo of the defective socket as I might have a used one stashed away.
grasshopper
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:25 pm
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat Spider

Re: tail light socket issue on 124 Sp Coupe

Post by grasshopper »

Thanks for the offer of your extra light socket. I actually brought my mechanic the tail light assembly to see if he can rig something up for me. I hope it turns out ok. Thanks again.
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