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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: BlackTomC on October 05, 2016, 09:27:28 am

Title: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: BlackTomC on October 05, 2016, 09:27:28 am
Anyone have a clue what the name is for the festoon bulb clip? As in the little clip that is crimped onto the end of the wire, then fed into the dome light housing?

I've got brand new dome lights for my suburban however the clips were old and corroded, would like to replace them... "Googling" isn't helping much unfortunately
Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: BlackTomC on October 10, 2016, 09:33:04 am
Anyone? It's the little "C" clip that goes around 1 side of the bulb.... can't find the name anywhere and I am not willing to buy a new factory wiring harness for $50 when I can build one for less than a dollar...
Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: hatzie on October 10, 2016, 06:36:15 pm
It's a part of the lamp housing not the harness.
Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: BlackTomC on October 10, 2016, 06:37:50 pm
@hatzie

I bought a 2 new lamp housings, they did not come with the clips, nor can I find any lamp housing for that matter for a 78 suburban that does.

The existing wiring harness currently in my suburban had the connectors crimped onto each wire, leading me to believe they were connectors that could be purchased and crimped on. They have long since corroded and are unusable..
Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: VileZambonie on October 10, 2016, 06:43:51 pm
A Festoon???? lol post a picture of what you are talking about.
Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: bd on October 10, 2016, 07:35:10 pm
A "festoon" bulb has the general shape of the 211-2 & 212-2 cartridge style housings (image).  I raised an eyebrow the first time I heard the term, too.

If memory serves, there were a couple of terminal configurations that were used over the years, mostly varying in the way the terminals lock into their housings.  Look carefully if you find a source to ensure they will fit.  The terminals are generally serviced as part of a harness, although rarely I have seen them sold standalone.  Harness builders have to source them somewhere, but I have been unsuccessful in finding them recently.  The closest service parts I found are the RestoParts 9500179 (http://www.jegs.com/i/RestoParts/759/9500179/10002/-1) and Classic Parts 52-810 (http://www.classicparts.com/1984-91-Dome-Lamp-Harness-Pickup/productinfo/52%2D810/#.V_wxNMksAl0), both of which are pricey for what they are.  It might be time for a trip to the wrecker.
Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: BlackTomC on October 10, 2016, 08:00:08 pm
bd! You always come through man, that first to RestoParts is EXACTLY what I was looking for.. not sure what those c clips or "ends" are called on the wires, but I could really use an entire bag of them.

Title: Re: Festoon Bulb Clip Name?
Post by: bd on October 10, 2016, 08:47:23 pm
If you're able to find a copy of a GM Standard Parts Book, it may contain an OE part number for the terminal by itself.  The last Standard Parts Book was published in 1983, I believe.  They were an invaluable resource for the multitude of small parts used by all GM product lines.  If you find a source for the terminals, please post it here along with its part number.