Cannot remove rear turn signal bulbs in '06 wagon

[DFW06ZXW]

Hi folks!

The rear driver side turn signal has gone out in my '06 ZXW. I was able to to get the taillight assembly off, but when I turn the bulb housing to remove it, it turns but won't come out!

I can turn the brake light socket, and it comes out just fine. I tried the passenger side with the same results. The turn signal socket would turn but not release, but the brake light would.

The turn signal housings are turning the same amount as the brake light ones, about a quarter or 1/3 turn, and I can feel them unlock. But they just done pull out!

What am I missing?

[Sponsor]

[05focusST91]

It takes some wiggling and a flathead the tabs are stripped most likely, get a new socket

[boardgeneration]

Mine are like that as well. I replaced my tails due to warping from the bulb heat. The sockets were a PITA, they were just as hard in the replacements. It's just a tight fit.

[claire]

So I also had this problem, and when I started prying with a screw driver, I broke the socket some. After some trying to get it out then, I ended up crushing the plastic socket with my vice grips. It then broke in small enough pieces that they fell into the big plastic outer piece, and I was able to just dump them out. This didn't even crack the burnt out bulb.

Then I was able to attach the new bulb and with some duct tape, get the whole thing back together working fine.

So, my advice is, go ahead and force it and it it cracks, you'll at least be able to change that burnt out bulb and get it working so you don't get a ticket. :-)