Sylvania Silverstars 1156

[blevtr]

Bought some bulbs today for a vehicle other than the New Old Journey. It happens. I'd read about the Silverstar High Performance Lighting, supposed to be new technology. Naturally, I bought the bulbs of my youth, 1156's, and they didn't fit my truck. Buy first, research later. So they ended up in the Journey anyway. But first, I conducted a scientific test. Removed both back-up lamps, cleaned them up, put the New Technology in one side and the cleaned up old bulb back on the other side. New Technology is brighter. Not $9 @ Advanced Auto brighter, but brighter. As a side effect, the back-up bulbs were so dirty, I decided to check the tail and turn signal lights. All these lights were working. Despite the rusty bulbs and sockets I discovered. Had to use WD-40 and a .410 shotgun bore brush on the sockets, steel wool on the bulb bases. High dielectric grease helps to keep things happy. Looking for something to do? Check your lights.

[FIRE UP]

blevtr,
Good post. We just picked up an '04 Horizon with a 330 CAT in her. Well, I don't know if you read my post on LEDs for many applications or not but, I too found a consider amount of rust in many of the lighting sockets in the compartment lights. The light housings and surrounding area gave no indication of such a condition. But, because I was changing all the lights to LEDs, I removed all of them. Some, very few, came out clean as a whistle.

I'm assuming it's because of the heat/cold cycles, moisture in the air, and the ole' "Galvanic" action. You gave me a great idea. That "410" shot gun brush sounds perfect for the cleaning of those sockets. I was wondering what I could use. I'm always looking for the correct tool for a job. Anyway, thanks again.
Scott