Specifically I need a backup lamp socket for a '96 Bonneville SE. I know I can get one from the dealer, but don't want to pay their prices. I've found several places online and costs where $3 - $4, but none listed for this application. Someone must have these.

Junkyard dude. Just about any socket from a GM that fits the bulb you need ought to do it.

I went out to get in my Ford Ranger a couple of months ago and found that somebody had stolen both tail lights, sockets and all. Boy did I get them. They didn't know that one of them was cracked.

That's a new one, I've never had tailights stolen ....... in fact I've never had anything stolen off a car of mine. However, they did take the whole car once! Actually, I was kind of glad they took it. It was my son's 1985 Thunderbird Turbo and was 12 years old at the time. He had already taken off for college and I would have had to sell it private party if it hadn't been stolen. All things considered I probably got as much from the insurance company as I would have go have from a private party.

How much does the dealer want for the socket? Unless you have a junkyard close by it would probaly be cheaper just get it from the dealer.

I went out to get in my Ford Ranger a couple of months ago and found that somebody had stolen both tail lights, sockets and all. Boy did I get them. They didn't know that one of them was cracked.

If it's valuable tail-lights they wanted, they certainly took them from the wrong car of the two!

On a side note, how in deuce's as$hole does anyone have the wherewithal to stand there and take the time necessary to steal a pair of tail lights in an Alaska "winter"???

If it's valuable tail-lights they wanted, they certainly took them from the wrong car of the two!

On a side note, how in deuce's as does anyone have the wherewithal to stand there and take the time necessary to steal a pair of tail lights in an Alaska "winter"???
It only takes a couple of screws on each one and then dyke the wires. I got some replacements from a friend with a junker and reversed the process with a whole lot of butt splices. The hardest part is when you drop a screw in the snow and have to go looking for it.

That's a new one, I've never had tailights stolen ....... in fact I've never had anything stolen off a car of mine. However, they did take the whole car once! Actually, I was kind of glad they took it. It was my son's 1985 Thunderbird Turbo and was 12 years old at the time. He had already taken off for college and I would have had to sell it private party if it hadn't been stolen. All things considered I probably got as much from the insurance company as I would have go have from a private party.

How much does the dealer want for the socket? Unless you have a junkyard close by it would probaly be cheaper just get it from the dealer.
Haven't checked. One still works so I'm in no hurry. I do have a junk yard near by. I'll probably check it out in spring.

If you have the old socket (that just doesn't work anymore) you can clean the contacts and add a little dielectric grease and use the old one. I don't know if this is your problem or the socket is missing or corroded beyond repair. I've had some socket problems with my Olds Instrigue and it appears that the socket got a little too hot, the contacts separated just a tad and some arching made the socket non functional. Cleaning, reshaping the contact and adding the grease (to eliminate further arching) did the trick for me. Good luck with your project/search.