Chrome thief?

[cobracruz]

A few months back I noticed that the chrome bezel on one of my front turn signal light was missing. Even though it was on snug, I figured maybe the ring fell off. A kind forum member had a spare, so it was replaced.

Yesterday, I went for a drive and hit some golf balls. Coming home, I noticed something odd on the reflection on the car ahead of me. The passenger side turn signal was much brighter with the headlights turned on. Also, the turn signal on that side was not working. I got out of the car only to realize the chrome bezel is missing again. After diagnosing the electricals, it turns out that my signal light bulb was installed upside down. Of course, it was all working fine before going out for the drive.

My question is, why would anyone want to steal a chrome bezel? Is it the same thief twice? The other question is, why then would you take off the bulb, only to install it upside down? Is that thief messing with me? Am I missing something here?

[Bob Cowan]

Those bezels are pretty famous for falling off. It's a simple press fit, and time and vibration loosens them up. Pull the other one off, and glue it back on with some clear windshield silicone sealant.

[steno]

Yup... That was my thought

[ROADRACER83]

cruz:

I took my lights apart to check the bulbs and solder the ground and when I put them back together and set them aside, the bezel on one popped off just sitting on the bench. It would not take much vibration to make them come off spontaneously on the car. They are made by Lucas (the prince of darkness) after all. I hope this doesn't shoot your conspiracy theory down too bad.

Ron

[cobracruz]

I just assumed it fell off the first time. After that time, I made sure to secure by tapping down with a block & rubber mallet. I couldn't make it budge, and that was just a few months ago. It would take deliberate, strong force to get the bezel off. Assuming it did vibrate off, the bulb still rotated by itself in the socket. Before the missing chrome, functioning turn lights. After missing chrome, flipped bulb. Aliens perhaps? Don't know, but I do know I need a new bezel.

[NiceGuyEddie]

Peter

i thought i was the only one with dumb luck!

let me know if for some reason you need the amber lenses. i think i have two extra ones.

cheers,

[CRZN 427]

Think about the two pieces being made of different materials. They will change shape at a slightly different rate when warming, or cooling down, on a drive. A piece that fits tight at room temperature may be loose when in the cooling breeze of a morning drive.

When the parts are joined by an adhesive, the differnence in size isn't as critical as the adhesive acts as both a heat transfer medium and a cushion in the void space.

TFAE* Regards, Rick. (*Thoughts From An Engineer)

[tim-in-oakton]

I had something similar - someone broke into my garage and regapped all my plugs to 0.062 after I clearly remember thinking "I need to gap these before I install them" three months ago.

Odd, isn't it?

[cobracruz]

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't after you.

Metal expansion could definitely loosen the part, even though the drive wasn't very long. I don't know about the bulb, it's been working well for years and I did a routine lights check recently. Now I find it's flipped.
I will make sure to silicone the parts together, just have to get another chrome piece.
Eddy, thanks for the offer. I've got the lens, just need the bezel.

[DAVE VAN]

I lost one of mine also when I first went on the road. After replacing, I drilled a small hole through the bezzel into the housing at the bottom. Then put a small self tapping screw in the hole. No more problems! Mileage now at 33K, lights still on tight.

[sluggish]

I actually have the exact same problem on the exact same location. Blinker doesn't work but only when headlights are on and it is also brighter than the other park light, I have traced all the wiring, grounds etc, and even completely rewired the entire car, TWICE. Still have the problem. Never did think the bulb could be in backwards. Doesn't make sense to me but I am going to try it tomorrow morning.

[cobracruz]

Sluggish, No harm in trying, except maybe a blown fuse. Honestly, it was the last thing I thought of after going thru wiring, relays, turn signal stalk... Then I thought, what were the odds that I just lost a bezel AND the light suddenly is on the fritz? That's when I rotated the bulb.

"Who would steal a chrome bezel?"
I don't know, but I did know a kid back in the day who used to walk around parking lots stealing chrome tire valve stem caps. He had several large jars full of them. I asked him why. He just shrugged and laughed. Weird kid.

Not trying to reopen this discussion, just saying there are all types out there.
Anyway, I also plan on tapping a screw at the bottom of the bezel, as well as clear silicone. Thanks for the advice!

[NiceGuyEddie]

Originally Posted by sluggish

I actually have the exact same problem on the exact same location. Blinker doesn't work but only when headlights are on and it is also brighter than the other park light, I have traced all the wiring, grounds etc, and even completely rewired the entire car, TWICE. Still have the problem. Never did think the bulb could be in backwards. Doesn't make sense to me but I am going to try it tomorrow morning.

this is in my build tips list.... even though they are "offset frankensetein" base, they can still fit in both ways. not always, but sometimes.

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