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I replaced the license plate light, and then there was smoke

wegngis

Full Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
317
Loc.
Oregon
Yep, went from zero to OMG pretty quick. Got myself a Type 97 bulb for the license, and tried installing, only it wouldn't seat far enough to lock into place. Upon further inspection, the contacts inside were gross, so I tried manipulating them with a screwdriver to get the spring action going. No luck. Then I grabbed the PB Blaster to penetrate and unstick things, and that did the trick. Got the bulb in, then turned the marker lights on to test. Nothing. While vehicle out. But then, a flicker. Then all my lights started flickering like crazy. License bulb never did come on, but as I was checking it, smoke starts emanating from the fixture. Ah! Holy crap!! Pulled it out fast.

So, I have two theories. One, PB Blaster conducts electricity and it shorted everything out. Not likely, but who knows. Two, the fixture is just so old and full of rust some random bit of metal (rust, corrosion, etc.) ended up shorting out, and it took the whole system out. Then the short circuit heated up and cooked off some of the PB. Once that bulb was removed, the rest of the system returned to normal.

I'm leaning toward the second scenario, but what do you think?
 

Sledneck

Newbie
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
22
Make sure you are using the correct bulb. For the OEM light socket, the bulb is a #1178. The PO on my bronco put the wrong bulb in, and burnt up the wiring. The bulbs are getting harder to find, ordered a pack of them off Amazon. You said you used a type 97, but not sure that is correct? The picture of a type 97 I see online is not correct for the OEM light socket.
 
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wegngis

wegngis

Full Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
317
Loc.
Oregon
I think I got a wrong bulb. Fitment online pointed me to the 97 (Sylvania's site) but I will look up that #1178 and compare to my socket.
 

half cab

Contributor
Guru Bronco
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
16,306
Make sure the wire that runs to it through the tailgate isn't naked anywhere n touching metal in that area.
 

thegreatjustino

Contributor
Red Head Grease Monkey
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
15,624
Loc.
Stockton, CA
1178 - I had to place a special order at the local Napa
 

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wegngis

wegngis

Full Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
317
Loc.
Oregon
Thanks justino! Everywhere I look, it calls for a 97, but now I know that's wrong. Hard to get the right one when I didn't have one to start with.
 

half cab

Contributor
Guru Bronco
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
16,306
Thanks justino! Everywhere I look, it calls for a 97, but now I know that's wrong. Hard to get the right one when I didn't have one to start with.

My local Napa had them a couple yrs ago.(1178)
 

hammer

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
1,359
For what its worth, i know this is an old thread, but i got steered toward a #97 as well. #90 is what you need (same as an 1178).
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
47,345
Was that from a store computer hammer? Or a manufacturers book or website?
Either way, seems like we need to complain to someone so they'll fix it someday. Hopefully...

Paul
 

hammer

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
1,359
Was that from a store computer hammer? Or a manufacturers book or website?
Either way, seems like we need to complain to someone so they'll fix it someday. Hopefully...

Paul

Philips, store computer. Clerk was no more help as he had, "never heard of an 1178"

Maybe a 97 works on a '66? The only difference between a 90 and a 97 is a 90 has 2 contact points on the bulb and a 97 has 1. That's why the 97 started smoking in the OP as he had positive and negative hooked up to the same contact on the bulb.
 
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