trying to replace a side marker light bulb on my xj6 III.
I am so lame I can't.
After removing the old bulb, rotating it counter clockwise while pushing gently, the new bulb won't go...using the reverse procedure. The same for the old bulb, I am not able to install it back it is not a matter of bulb but of procedure I guess.
To install it back, I push it gently in and rotate clockwise.
The problem is that the bulb is super loose after doing that, and won't make contact and won't stay in firmly.
I did the same procedure on the other side marker bulb (the one which was working), and same thing I Cannot get the bulb back to work. So now I have 2 side markers not working.
What kind of rocket science is needed to do that ?
thank you very much

 

Probably the socket springs are rusted beyond use. They aren't even copper but merely coiled steel. *Very* prone to rust and losing their springiness.

You *Could* take the sockets apart and try to replace the spring, but it will be easier to contact David Bodger (everydayXJ.com) and get a couple in better condition, considering all the time and irritation of trying a repair.

Then, spray them with WD-40 or something similar to keep the springs from being eaten by rust again.
(';')

 

Elinor is right.

Sometimes with soaking and cleaning they can be brought back to life and the springy-ness restored. Sometimes they're too far gone.

A light smear of grease, or vaseline, or your favorite aerosol lubricant will help keep them in good order in the future. About once a year I take the lenses off and give each socket a spritz of whatever spray lubricant my hand lands on first.

These marker lamps are one of the areas where Jaguar decided to...um....er....save a few shillings. But with a little care they can last forever.

Cheers
DD

 

thank you.
Thanks to your help I could fix it.
The right side marker light socket was really rusty. I cleaned with contact cleaner and
rubbed little bit inside to remove rust. It got better but still the spring was not pushing at it should, so I bend a little bit the contact clip with a small screwdriver toward the bulb contact forward and it worked. The left side marker was in better conditions. No rust but the spring would not push enough. I did spry the contact cleaner and engaged the spring several times moving back and forth with a small screwdriver and at the end it worked. The spring worked out to push much better and the bulb went back in place.

 

I'm glad you got it working!
(';')

 

the side marker lamps in the Series 2 and 3 XJ-6 / Vanden Plas, / Sovereign / and the Series 3 XJ-12 up to 1992 (American market), are the same identical lamps used in MG-B from 1970-on.

British Leyland took over and they were trying to "standardize".