Trunk Light and Wiring

motherfnmike · 06-04-2009

So I have a 2001 Civic LX that I've finally found time to work on. Cleaning it up as best I can, still have to clean up the engine bay, touch up some of the scratches and most importantly, take out and fix my almost-completely-off headliner which I could most definitely use some info on if anyone has any.

Anyhow, the problem at hand is the trunk light. I thought the light itself was out so I replaced it with a brand new LED and it still didn't turn on. After pushing the wires into the clip, not the clip into the light itself, it lights but only after applying pressure. I'm assuming the wiring is loose but I'm not so sure how to go about opening this clip so that I can strip some more wire and make sure it's a solid connection.

I haven't been able to find my camera so I've provided the only pic I've found.

To remove this ad, register today for free or log in if already registered!

TRIZ · 06-04-2009

Bad pic... better one?

motherfnmike · 06-04-2009

I'll try and get better pictures in the morning.

motherfnmike · 06-04-2009

Here we go. The 2nd to last is without any pressure and the last is how I have to squeeze it in before it'll light.

gearbox · 06-05-2009

i think you might just need a new blue connector. maybe your terminals are corroded. it should light up the bulb when the blue connector is only 1/2 way pushed in the housing.

motherfnmike · 06-05-2009

It's not the blue connector piece that I'm pushing in. Rather, it's the wires that I have to push in for it to light. I'm just not sure how to open the piece up so that I can reseat the wires in the connector piece. I don't even know what it's called so I can google it. Tried searching a buncha different terms but no luck.

gearbox · 06-05-2009

oh okay the wires are loose. im not sure but i dont think it opens up. usually with a small screwdriver you can push down the tab from the front and pull the wire out. you may need to bend that tab out more so that next time you push it in it will stay in the right spot. i have a similar connector to that one except its grey (from a jdm sidemarker) that im not using. if you want i can try to find it and post pics. it might work and the wires are nice and tight. its brand new plug never been used. actually the connector i have is the same one as the license plate light one. so try that on your trunk light and if it fits, the one i have will work.

CraigW · 06-05-2009

The connectors pins have little release tabs, you may be able to get them out with a paper clip or dental pick. Not real easy in most cases.

Make sure when you push the connector in that the 2 brass tabs for the light are going into the pins and not above or below them. See if the connectors look bent or out of place.

I used one of those assemblies in the back of my console near the floor for rear illumination. I just soldered wires to the brass tabs and added an inline 2 pin connector.

motherfnmike · 06-05-2009

So I tried plugging it into the license plate lights and it's the same problem so I guess I was wrong with the wire's being bad.

I checked the the 2 brass tabs and they were very slightly bent. I tried to straighten them out so they go right into the pins and it did light up but once I started to put the trunk light back in, it would turn off as if it's still not making contact. The next 20 minutes of tinkering it would light and then go out. It's raining pretty heavy out right now so I'll have to wait to try it some more.

gearbox · 06-05-2009

yeah sounds like a connection problem with the housing. try putting some dielectric grease in the plug and then push it on. the grease will kinda clean up any corrosion and lock out moisture.

motherfnmike · 06-09-2009

A friend of mine ended up soldering a bit more to the brass tabs so it could make a connection easier in addition to soldering all the points on the lens that he thought were loose and viola, I have trunk light! Thanks for the help guys.