How to remove plug from rear light assembly

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billintomahawk

Guest
Bill,


It's definitely Chinese junk. All of the bulb sockets are loose. Yet one of them won't release the bulb !?! The wire harness can't be made to fit into the socket no matter how I jiggle it and fuss with the male pins, which weren't all aligned as it came out of the package. If you haven't recieved and opened the package just send it back.



I'm off to find a better part.
Thanks for the update.
Back it goes.

bill
 

Patty&Ed

Member
The 2003 parts catalog only knows one tail light assembly ... it doesn't differentiate Dodge from Freightliner.

The lamp units (i.e. sockets) are: (dodge, then MB numbers)
05103596AA Left A 901 820 17 64 (LAMP, TAIL STOP TURN)
05103597AA Right A 901 820 18 64

The plastic lenses are:
05103537AA Left A 000 826 07 56 (LENS TAILLAMP)
05103537AB Left A 000 826 18 56 <-- updated part
05103538AA Right A 000 826 08 56 (LENS TAILLAMP)
05103538AB Right A 000 826 19 56 <-- updated part

Remember that "left" is the US driver's side.

--dick

And the mystery continues. Dorman customer support says their product doesn't fit the Freightliner. Well I've already got one on order from Amazon. I'll know when it gets here.
 

autostaretx

Erratic Member
And the mystery continues. Dorman customer support says their product doesn't fit the Freightliner.
Hmmm... does that mean that Dodge owners aren't too picky about a partial mis-fit (fetch a bigger hammer), or that Freightliner owners can't figure out which end is "up" and which side is "right"?

Awaiting results...
--dick (Freightliner)
 

220629

Well-known member
And the mystery continues. Dorman customer support says their product doesn't fit the Freightliner. Well I've already got one on order from Amazon. I'll know when it gets here.
Unless you have the OEM cab chassis model, or a 3500 cab chassis RV conversion, as my Yugoslavian friend would say, "That's a bull-a-sh*t!".

I could go out and swap the rear lamp board from my 2004 Dodge to the 2006 Freightliner and take pictures, but I won't waste my time. The only difference between the van body 2004 and 2006 for such parts is the badging.

Order the part regardless of what they say. It will work.

:cheers: vic
 

Patty&Ed

Member
Hmmm... does that mean that Dodge owners aren't too picky about a partial mis-fit (fetch a bigger hammer), or that Freightliner owners can't figure out which end is "up" and which side is "right"?

Awaiting results...
--dick (Freightliner)

I think it means Dorman doesn't know what they're saying. I think the Dorman 923-031 will fit MB, Dodge & Freightliner. One's on it's way and I'll know for sure tomorrow or the next day.


Thanks to all for help everyone!
 

autostaretx

Erratic Member
Dick asks Google: "dorman 923-031"

Google responds:
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-923-031-Tail-Circuit-Board/dp/B002ZTPNF6?tag=sprintersou02-20
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dorman-923-031-Tail-Light-Circuit-Board/42917850
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...board/dorman-tail-light-circuit-board/89343_0
and Dorman's own site: https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-28229-923-031.aspx
has a zip-code triggered "find a local dealer" at the bottom of their page

--dick (forum-assisting tag added to Amazon link)
p.s. from the text of the thread, i suspect Patty&Ed got it from AutoZone
 

Patty&Ed

Member
Dick asks Google: "dorman 923-031"

Google responds:
https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-923-031-Tail-Circuit-Board/dp/B002ZTPNF6?tag=sprintersou02-20
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dorman-923-031-Tail-Light-Circuit-Board/42917850
https://www.autozone.com/electrical...board/dorman-tail-light-circuit-board/89343_0
and Dorman's own site: https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-28229-923-031.aspx
has a zip-code triggered "find a local dealer" at the bottom of their page

--dick (forum-assisting tag added to Amazon link)
p.s. from the text of the thread, i suspect Patty&Ed got it from AutoZone

I purchased from Amazon because I'm a Prime member. As Dick points out, Amazon, Auto Zone and Walmart can supply the Dorman.
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
Hey everyone.
Well an update on the Chinese circuit boards.
I am posting pictures of what I received from my $18, E bay purchase.













I have to say the board does not appear to be junk at all. I plugged a bulb in and it holds tight. The sockets look the same as the Dorman sold on Amazon.

The connections that the OEM board used solder to make has been changed on this board to a kinked connection that has the possibility of being even more durable from a vibration standpoint. Also the plastic seems durable, rigid with a slight flex.
I am/was looking for a cheap backup board. The order came packaged nicely.

The pin connections on mine are fairly straight and look strong. A slight twist might benefit.
I haven't tried one yet, heck it's still winter here.

Could someone post some pictures of the Dorman replacement or comment so we can compare?
The construction techniques appear to be very similar but not identical.

Of course it has to fit and perform.

Bill in tomahawk
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
I had the old pigtail from my rear taillight wiring harness rebuild so I tried the OEM plug on the Chinese circuit board.

Here's some pictures.



I had to push hard...



But it fit, then I unplugged it to examine the pins and plug.
They looked good.





It was difficult to insert the plug, it took a hard push to get it to lock but it did.
It came apart only with a strong straight pull. I used a needle nose pliers in the empty socket to pull it out plus a little screwdriver to depress the lock.

In the next week or so I'll try to run the Chinese on my rig.

I hate that locking mechanism on the OEM plug, I'm ready to cut it off(but I won't).

bill
 
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220629

Well-known member
...

Could someone post some pictures of the Dorman replacement or comment so we can compare?
The construction techniques appear to be very similar but not identical.

...
The plastic body needs to be similar to fit.

The Chinese unit you show appears to almost be an exact copy of the OEM. They even used the pressure contact insert method for the metal traces.

The Dorman product uses a more traditional copper trace laminated circuit board method.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-28229-923-031.aspx

Added:
The Dorman unit also copies the OEM and uses the pressure contact design. The copper traces may be more forgiving for corrosion problems.

:cheers: vic
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
That's what I thought, I wonder if the Dorman is real copper or just some plated pot metal?

Both eliminate the solder methods of attaching the the bulb contacts which would be a good deal for us if it works out long term.
Vic, do you have a travel spare to carry? They sent me two by mistake so I'll offer to mail it out to you, if you don't take it, it's up for grabs.

bill
 

Patty&Ed

Member
Bill,

Good to hear your shipment from Ebay was good parts, mine were definitely junk. I'm not home now, and won't be for a while so I can't get you pics of the Dorman part. I don't think they'd tell you much anyway. Of note the Dorman part is much heavier build, both the plastic and metal, than the Ebay part. I suspect the traces and bulb sockets are copper.

Next winter when I get bored I may mess around with the failed OEM part. Cut the wire traces just after the female plug socket, remove the "guts", mount US standard bulb sockets, wire to the traces and see if I can't come up something more robust made mostly of parts easily found at domestic auto parts stores.

Then again, this could be another "waz gunna" taking up shelf space in the garage.
 

220629

Well-known member
That's what I thought, I wonder if the Dorman is real copper or just some plated pot metal?
...
You can zoom in on the pictures in the Dorman link which I provided.

To me the traces look like rather traditional copper type, but maybe a bit thicker. The Dorman also uses the insert pressure type contact for the lamp center contacts. That said, the copper should be a bit better over the long(er) haul for good conduction vs OEM plated steel.

I still recommend giving the assemblies a spritz of WD40 when installed, or as preventative maintenance for older assemblies. Spritz the connector with WD40 or dab/coat with Vaseline before installing.

...
Vic, do you have a travel spare to carry? They sent me two by mistake so I'll offer to mail it out to you, if you don't take it, it's up for grabs.

bill
I do appreciate the spare. Thanks.

:cheers: vic
 
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