ERF bulbs melted my socket!

[Mungo]

I put the ERF bulb as my backup lights about 6 mos ago. last week I noticed they had melted sockets for the back-up lights. This morning I took out the tail light hoping I could separate the bulbs from the socket but there is zero chance of that happening. There's atleast 1/4 of the sockket melted/missing and the bulb is completely melted in place.

Do the LED tails come with a new light harness to plug into the factory? If so that is my easy fix (since I would like to get the smoked ones anyways), if not I'll have to buy a couple new harnnesses from the dealer and I can only imagine how much that will cost!

[SmoovC]

Dude, I am sorry to hear that; I tried the ERF's and found two things. One, light was not projected as well as stock bulbs because of the proximity to the socket. Two, because of this, and the higher wattage, there was the potential for heat problems down the road.

Here was my solution: 889 Bulbs For Reverse Lights, How To

While a few people thought that this was a waste of time, as the ERF's were working fine for them, I have not had any of the aforementioned issues to date.

[Mungo]

I think the erf's will be fine for most so long as you dont leave it in reverse for long. I must have left it in reverese while talking one time and that was all it took. oh well.

[SmoovC]

That may be so; my concern was having a bulb that is almost 3 times the stock wattage that close to the socket.

Any leads on new sockets?

[lowriderman3]

I am going back to the PIAA super white ones. Just ordered them. The blueish look of the bulb in the housing looks cool as heck, but it is super white when it is lit up...It is an 18watt bulb. Being made by PIAA should speak for itself on quality.

http://www.xtremewhite.com/ORD-Light...49-1-1-1-1.cfm

[magnum lover]

I put the ERF bulb as my backup lights about 6 mos ago. last week I noticed they had melted sockets for the back-up lights. This morning I took out the tail light hoping I could separate the bulbs from the socket but there is zero chance of that happening. There's atleast 1/4 of the sockket melted/missing and the bulb is completely melted in place.

Do the LED tails come with a new light harness to plug into the factory? If so that is my easy fix (since I would like to get the smoked ones anyways), if not I'll have to buy a couple new harnnesses from the dealer and I can only imagine how much that will cost!

Mine did the same thing. Leaving it reverse too long, (for whatever reason)
and the socket will start to melt. Since mine still works, I haven't replaced the socket yet.

[MySRT]

I had the same problem with my Magnum. New harness $25 from Mopar Super Center. Next time I will give SmoovC's suggestion a try.

[satfrat]

I am going back to the PIAA super white ones. Just ordered them. The blueish look of the bulb in the housing looks cool as heck, but it is super white when it is lit up...It is an 18watt bulb. Being made by PIAA should speak for itself on quality.

http://www.xtremewhite.com/ORD-Light...49-1-1-1-1.cfm

Not me,,, that's what I had before my 55 watters and the super whites aren't worth squat. No 18 watt bulbe is gonna be worth squat with the magnum tinted side 7 rear windows. But I gotta tell ya only a fool would put 55 watt bulbs in a 18 watt fixture and not be aware of the danger. I work nights and those ERF's are a needed bulb. I've had mine for close to a year now and just checked them out a month or so ago when I replaced my rear ambers with Stealth Bulbs and the wedge fixtures look brand new as do the bulbs on my Factor One Garage taillight assembly's. I have no intention of ever giving up my ERF's and I'll replace them if/when 1 burns out. But I'll also make sure I'm not in reverse any longer than I have to be either. You need only be aware of the consequences as Mungo can attest to. Thanks for the reminder Mungo, all users of these ERF's should appreciate knowing about the dangers that you experienced.

Robin

[Mungo]

Live and learn. Does anyone know if there are any LED tails that come with the bulb harness? If not, I'll go ahead and order the new harness of Moparsupercenter (thanks Don).

[MattRobertson]

I had the same problem with my Magnum. New harness $25 from Mopar Super Center. Next time I will give SmoovC's suggestion a try.

Add me to the list of guys who have this problem. I just thought to look this morning and sure enough, the bulb has melted itself into its socket. All black and nasty and bubbled in there. But the light housing is still OK. I guess I'll call Jeff at MPSC.

These bulbs seemed like a good idea at the time. Whats the best Plan B? Is there a consensus?

Dangit I was really careful not to be in reverese too long. Obviously I forgot at some point. At least once and probably more than that.




"He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike." - William Shakespeare

[Mungo]

sucks. is $25 for the pair or $25 for each side? I'm guessing each side.

I take it by the lack of replies that no tails come with the harness?

[MattRobertson]

by tails you mean taillight housings? Definitely not. Stock bulbs will only be a couple bucks.

[lowriderman3]

sucks. is $25 for the pair or $25 for each side? I'm guessing each side.

I take it by the lack of replies that no tails come with the harness?

No aftermarket tails come with the harnesses. The LED ones use the socket from the OEM harness for the backup bulb. The LED tails basically have a pig tail that comes off the LED's and plugs into the factory slot where you would normally put the factory bulb.

[Pale Rider]

Well, I hate posting the same questions/responses in so many posts, but what the heck - not sure how many people are subscribed to them all...

I'm wondering if the ERD would be a better/safer option? They are only 35 watts.

[ZMagnum]

$25 for a Magnum tail light wiring harness? That's incredible. I get special pricing at my dealership and paid $50 for one. Everything else I get at about the same price as Mopar Super Center but without shipping charges since I pick it up locally. I'm going to have to start checking with them.