3rd bulb in tail light housing stock?

[rdonahe]

I'm starting on my LED tails conversion and ran across an extra bulb in both of my tail light housings that does not look stock. Has anyone seen anything like this?

It does not light up in any combination I have tested and the wiring does not look factory. Oddly the two unidentified lights only seem to be wired to each other with a single wire that runs from one side to the other. Doesn't make sense to me.

The sheath for the factory tail wiring has been sliced on both sides to insert the red wire you see coming in from the bottom of the housing.

Any thoughts? I'm figuring this was something added by a previous owner and I'll just pull out the odd wire but figured I would check here first.

Thanks,
-Roger

 

[ExitLeft]

Looks like your Jeep was flat towed prior to you buying it.
this thread was listed below as a ”similar thread”: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-is-this-bulb-in-my-taillight-for.47347/

 

[MichaelGH]

It’s definitely not stock to any TJ I’ve ever seen. Definitely interested it what the intent was…

 

[rdonahe]

Thanks @ExitLeft ! I bet that's it. Last night after posting I was thinking about it and the wires leading from each mystery bulb meet up at a connector that was routed up into the driver's side rear of the tub through the factory wiring harness grommet. Nothing is connected to them at the moment but it's entirely possible wiring was routed from the front of the jeep to light them up in a flat towing situation.

 

[Blackjack]

Got a closeup of the bulb? That kinda looks like a strobe bulb.

 

[rdonahe]

Here's a closeup of the bulb.

 

[Moglocker]

Here's a closeup of the bulb.
View attachment 258271

Better check the frame that is a strobe setup for a snow plow truck

 

[rdonahe]

Better check the frame that is a strobe setup for a snow plow truck

I don't understand, check the frame for what exactly?

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

I don't understand, check the frame for what exactly?

Meaning that if the Jeep was used to plow, the frame could be very rusted. Usually strobe bulbs like that are used for plowing.

 

[Moglocker]

Meaning that if the Jeep was used to plow, the frame could be very rusted. Usually strobe bulbs like that are used for plowing.

Bet you have the same bulbs up front too

 

[rdonahe]

Bet you have the same bulbs up front too

10-4. I've been under the Jeep quite a lot in the year I've owned it and never noticed any evidence of rust. I'll take a closer look and check the front indicators as well.

 

[Blackjack]

Here's a closeup of the bulb.
View attachment 258271

Yep that is a hide a strobe bulb.

 

[Blackjack]

Better check the frame that is a strobe setup for a snow plow truck

See them a lot on pilot cars too.

 

[rdonahe]

Bet you have the same bulbs up front too

Just took a look up front and nothing out of the ordinary there.

Thanks all for the responses and the help. I'll chalk it up to a role my rig played in a past life and move on with my LED tail install. Appreciate it!