1986 Volkswagen Jetta Left Blinker

MJLEIGH1110

MEMBER
1986 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

Last night I replaced the brake lights and blinker bulbs in the back of my car even though the blinker bulbs weren't yet bad. However now, the light on the lower front right of my car stays on even when the car is off and the key is out of the ignition. Also, the rear right blinker stays on all the time too but does not blink. Also the right blinker indicator and the trunk hatch open indicator lights stay on all of the time too. WTF? All that I did was pull out the old bulbs, replace them and put the light back together on both the back left and right of the car. Do you know what the problem could be? It seems there must be a simple solution to this

5 Replies

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Did you make sure that you purchased the right part number for the bulb(s) and that you installed it the right way. Usually the two prongs on the bulb base are of the different height. If you install the bulb backward, it may perform the opposite of what it was intended to do.

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 12:19 AM

MJLEIGH1110

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I thought I tried that but the problem I am having is getting it to fit all the way down in there. It seems like it doesn't want to fit into the two slots. The left side went in easily, but the right side won't go down enough to fit into both slots

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 9:41 AM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Based on your description, you only have to deal with the right side. So don't touch the left side.

Is the socket corroded? Turn the lights off and pull the key out of the ignition. You light socket uses a spring-loaded connector. When you push the bulb in, the spring should make way for the bulb to enter. Try pushing a screw driver into the socket to possibly unjam the spring. And try again.

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 5:56 PM

MJLEIGH1110

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I fugured it out! I remembered that when I replaced the right side bulbs first, there was a connector that wasn't connected to its port on the back of the light unit so I went ahead and plugged it in assuming that it should have been. So remembering that, I went back and unplugged it and it automatically turned off all the lights that were stuck on including the dashboard indicator lights. And the left blinker started working again! Weirdest thing. So I guess whatever that electrical connector is for, really isn't supposed to be plugged in. Interesting. Thanks for all the great and quick feedback!

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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 AT 9:24 AM

ZACKMAN