Repairing a flakey tail light.

In my investigation of a signal light that just wouldn't light up reliably, I figured out a problem with the way Trillium mounted the tail light assemblies.

The Trillium uses #1157 light bulbs, as have been used for brake and signal light clusters since the 1930s. These bulbs have two contacts on the base that connect with two contacts in the socket. The contacts in the base are mounted on a circuit board connected to the wires. The whole base looks like:

Notice that the assembly has a spring behind it.

When mounting the tail light assemblies, Trillium used screws and glue. Unfortunately when they glued the assemblies on, they glued the wires to the body of the trailer. This does not let the base float on the spring and does not make good contact.

The fix is simple:

1. •Remove the screws attaching the tail light cover
   

2. •Remove the cover
   

3. •Remove the screws attaching the tail light assembly to the trailer
   

4. •Pry the assembly off of the trailer
   

5. •Clean off the glue
   

6. •Reassemble the tail light
   

Your lights will work now.