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Tail light socket corroded

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Andy2019, Apr 6, 2019.

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  1. Andy2019

    Andy2019 New Member

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    I tried to replace the bulb in my tail light but the socket is corroded and so when I turn the headlights on the tail light does not work on the passenger side even with a new bulb. I cannot find any place that sells replacement sockets. Is there any way to fix this without taking this to a dealer for an expensive fix?
     
    #1 Andy2019, Apr 6, 2019
  2. frenzee

    frenzee Member

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    The socket is part of the wiring harness and they certainly do sell the wiring harness separately, but I'm just wondering how yours got corroded. Water is not suppsed to get back there. I happen to have a set left over from when I upgraded mine to 2018s
     
    #2 frenzee, Apr 6, 2019
  3. Andy2019

    Andy2019 New Member

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    Thanks for the response. The tail light is cracked along the clear portion in the front. I should put some sort of sealant on it probably. Is the wiring harness easy to reinstall?
     
    #3 Andy2019, Apr 7, 2019
  4. frenzee

    frenzee Member

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    It's fairly easy. Obviously, you'll need to remove the tail light, but the harness goes through a hole in the sheet metal and comes out on the inside, so you will need to pull back the plastic cover on the inside of the cabin to disconnect it from the other connector. Before you replace it though, try soaking the connector in a cup of solution of baking soda and hot water and then rinse it in clean hot water and dry with canned air. It works for removing corrosion from battery connectors when they leak, and it may work in this case also. I think there is YouTube video on this somewhere.
     
    #4 frenzee, Apr 7, 2019
    Montgomery likes this.
  5. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Frenzee is correct. You will need to do his baking soda suggestion to prevent this from happening again. Sometimes, a minor short in the circuit can blow a major fuse someplace else.
     
    #5 Montgomery, Apr 7, 2019
  6. Andy2019

    Andy2019 New Member

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    Thanks for your replies. I am soaking the harness now. It was easy to remove. I am soaking it in vinegar to see if that works before trying the baking soda.
     
    #6 Andy2019, Apr 7, 2019
  7. Andy2019

    Andy2019 New Member

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    I was able to clean the tail light socket but the brake socket still doesn't work. I tried to glue the tail light assembly but it was more than a crack. It had come apart all the way down so I ordered a new one from parts geek. I am looking for a wiring harness, but those are harder to find. Any tips on that?
     
    #7 Andy2019, Apr 9, 2019
  8. Andy2019

    Andy2019 New Member

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    Actually I was able to order the harness from my local Toyota dealer. Thanks for all your help.
     
    #8 Andy2019, Apr 9, 2019
  9. frenzee

    frenzee Member

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    Glad to hear.

    (I have 3 tail lights and harnesses left over from my upgrade, if anyone's interested)
     
    #9 frenzee, Apr 9, 2019
  10. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I have a drivers side left over if anybody is interested. Has less than 10k miles on it. Been packaged up ready to ship ever since. :D
    No cracks or leaks at the time. Just liked the Valenti's more.
     
    #10 ztanos, Apr 10, 2019
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