92-9? Front Turn Signal Sockets

[J Wikoff]

When one of my front turn signals burnt out the other day (the bulb near the grill, not in the corner light), I decided I wanted to try switchbacks. They run solid as white and flash amber when the turn signal is flashing. I have tried two now, and they don't fit in the socket. They are 2057/1157 bulbs. A standard incandescent bulb has the normal flare shape of, you know, a bulb. And the LEDs all seem to have a step in the barrel diameter. You can see the difference pointed out below. I'm sure they technically fit the socket requirements of the bulb. But my 92 has a bit of an inner shroud in the socket which protrudes in a way that the LED barrel step butts against it, and they won't fully seat and twist into place. I overlayed the shroud in green to highlight it. With the 1st bulb I bought, I obviously didn't know to avoid the barrel step, but I did try to get the least intrusive looking shaped bulb I could find on the 2nd try, without it being a complete chinsy looking no-name brand bulb. But it was still a no-go. So I tried looking for a replacement socket pigtail that I could use to make a jumper harness while making sure the socket fit the bulbs, either being made in a more accepting way or through modification. Looking at sockets that are listed for the car, they look to have the space available for the barrel step, but none of them have the same locking ring tabs, nor do they have the tab on the side that clicks in place so the socket can't rotate out. I spent quite a while last night looking, but I cannot find a matching socket. Even GM sites list a socket that doesn't match. The closest I can find is made by Dorman, but still not a great match and also lacks the locking tab on the side. I looked at a random parts car, a 98, online but the socket had changed by that point, apparently. Doesn't look the same either. I do have a 92 and a 93 out at our farm I could scavenge, but I don't have a reason to make the 2 hour round trip for another month or so. Maybe I should just whip out the Dremel and ship it. Has anyone happened to ever locate a new socket for an early 92-99 gen? Do the sockets every place lists magically fit just fine?

[J Wikoff]

Ok, so I did find the socket and a couple vehicles that use it. Even a whole list of different manufacturers part numbers. No one still makes any of them. They were used on Fieros, Corsicas, Park Aves, some others. eBay has some.

[J Wikoff]

I did a little Dremel surgery today. It didn't need much. I got the bulbs to fit, but they don't switch colors... always amber. I'll have to figure that out. But at least they fit now.

The shroud is visible here:


You can see some space between the bulb and the shroud here:


You can see the barrel of the LED sitting against the shroud:


What I did to the socket:

[95naSTA]

If it fits, it sits.

I feel like the fiero folks probably found a solution if it impacts them.