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Missing Prong on Headlight
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woodman
Novice
Jan 25, 2014, 8:53 PM
Post #1 of 17
(2557 views)
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Missing Prong on Headlight
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One of the three prongs on the back of my headlight where the electrical connectors plug into is missing. This is an older original light that tests goof when I hooked up the stub that is still left perfectly in tact to 12 volts. Rather than paying for something that I can not afford, I would like to take an almost identical prong off another headlight. I tried to use my 100 watt solder gun to lift off the prong from the spare headlight but I could not get it hot enough. Before I ruin the spare, I am wondering if this is not soldered on with lead/tin, but maybe brazed with a high temp metal. It looks like lead/tin. Do I just need to go after it with a gas torch cause my solder gun is not strong enough? And, assuming that when I hit it with a torch and the prong does comes off, what metal should I then use on the salvaged prong to my headlight with the missing prong?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 25, 2014, 9:07 PM
Post #2 of 17
(2539 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Forget that nonsense. You cannot repair a sealed beam headlamp. Spend the $5 and get a new one.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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woodman
Novice
Jan 25, 2014, 9:25 PM
Post #3 of 17
(2532 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Nonsense? Easy for you to say! None the less, thanks for your suggestion. Any other educational answers to the two questions asked would be more than welcome...
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woodman
Novice
Jan 25, 2014, 9:46 PM
Post #4 of 17
(2529 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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BTW, it looks as if someone de-soldered the prong off on this one. It definitely did not break off. I will upload a photo tomorrow.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 3:30 AM
Post #5 of 17
(2522 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Woodman: Is this a standard sealed beam? 3 prongs suggests it's both high and low beam bulb. One is ground, one is for low beam the last for high beam. If nothing works it's the ground "prong" that has broken off.
No clue what solder could possibly work and last for crap and never tried. Just yesterday saw the three common sealed beams still dirt cheap.
A junk yard would probably just give you any you wanted. I seriously doubt if you do solder something on it would last anyway so why not get a new one or better a pair?
You made me do it - went out and looked at one as ALL my own vehicles use them. It's a soldered on prong of brass on the one I looked at.
By the time you get a good soldering iron, get or make up a prong you've already lost $$. They did make all plastic sealed beam so forget any freaking chance of making up a new prong with heat.
I keep spares just to have till I go out and get new ones. The only thing that would take some time is getting a 6V one still available too so you are wasting your time and $$,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 5:13 AM
Post #6 of 17
(2513 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Yes, trying to repair a bulb is nonsense. It's a bulb, you just replace it. You don't try to repair a bulb.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 5:30 AM
Post #7 of 17
(2508 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Ah - I can think of one exception............
A 6V one of those would be quite a wait to get new so might try anything, Oh boy, T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 5:36 AM
Post #8 of 17
(2505 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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He may have neglected to post any sort of make and model as he should have but he did state it was 12 volt.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 8:43 AM
Post #9 of 17
(2498 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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I'm sure those terminals aren't soldered on, they are probably welded.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 9:17 AM
Post #10 of 17
(2495 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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OK, thread is a bit silly but it might make me take an old spare and see what the heck it up. My guess is lead solder and may have some real lead not silver solder around.
There are better things to do if I muster some energy today but I'm curios now and will toss that one out as they are just spare used ones. I wouldn't waste time if it worked and wouldn't trust it. New is just plain brighter than good used of the same exact ones. For myself I put in better stuff than OE right away anyway.
I'll only post back if there's anything interesting about trying it. I already know it's a waste, T
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woodman
Novice
Jan 26, 2014, 10:52 AM
Post #11 of 17
(2487 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Sorry, neglected to say this is a vintage 6 volt lamp. Picture showing missing prong area, and good prongs is attached. I do have both a common propane torch, and a toyish oxy/propane which might actually worked if this is brazed?
here is link
http://www.resizr.com/share.php?key=47ff56129a4ac12b62746aa9d7fee35f
(This post was edited by woodman on Jan 26, 2014, 11:03 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 11:13 AM
Post #12 of 17
(2481 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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I can't believe we have dedicated a while thread to trying to repair a $5 sealed beam.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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woodman
Novice
Jan 26, 2014, 11:40 AM
Post #13 of 17
(2480 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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I just zapped it with a torch and it easily came off. Is high lead based and after a through cleaning and fluxing it soldered on and seems as good an new. I don't know how many hours are on it, so it may not be that bright especially considering it is old school technology. But these 6 volts are not cheap and it works. Thanks for all the input!
(This post was edited by woodman on Jan 26, 2014, 11:41 AM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 1:05 PM
Post #14 of 17
(2468 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Thanks for letting us know how it turned out. If it works, you saved some bucks. Closed as solved. Can be reopened upon request by the OP.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 1:13 PM
Post #15 of 17
(2466 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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I did not go try but looked at my spares + noticed the ones I kept were fairly new matched pairs of cars I junked from rusting out so kinda wanted them.
I know the troubles with 6V lamps, bulbs etc even 15 or so years ago had to wait but could get one. Forget but it was pricey mostly because they don't sell tons and have you by the nuts.
I also collect assorted antique crap. Right in front of me is an original kerosene lamp meant for coaches or early cars. Yes, you got out and lit the wick!
Not so much to see but be seen. A red special cut ruby glass pointed to the rear such that other knew they were behind some vehicle. White light to side and front.
Near exactly like this............
To the right was a thumb screw to mount it, the bottom those lever things when up you could fill it.
Right in front of me it's marked E&J DEC,9,1908 - DETROIT, MICH! Why that crap amuses me is anyone's guess
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 26, 2014, 1:15 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 2:11 PM
Post #16 of 17
(2457 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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It would have been nice to tell someone it was 6 volt in the first place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2014, 2:53 PM
Post #17 of 17
(2452 views)
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Re: Missing Prong on Headlight
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Ya! I saw he said he ran 12v thru it. That usually turned them into flash bulbs! Arggh. Sorry to beat on that crap, Tom
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