1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

tail light info

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Old 11-16-2013, 08:17 AM
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tail light info

came home yesterday and got told that i have a brake light out ,, i checked the bulb and it looked ok so i changed it and still no light on the drivers side ,, so i got the volt meter out and i have 3 wires going to the rear ,, and with the key on and a stick on the pedal the pass works and only 1 wire is hot of the 3 and it goes straight to the pass side ,, so i dont know how it works with 3 wires
what are they for ??
the turn has to have 1 each ? ( 2 )
the parking has to have 1 to both ,, mine work on both sides by the way
so that leaves only 1 wire right to brake lights

confused
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 08:31 AM
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One wire goes to the right turn signal, one wire goes to the left turn signal, and one wire goes to both marker lights.

The brake lights work off the turn signals, (if you have turn signals) and the turn signal switch decides which ones come on, and when.

If you don't have turn signals, then both brake lights are wired together.

If you do have turn signals, does the left one work? If so, then it sounds like your problem is in the turn signal switch. If it does not, then the problem could be anywhere in the wiring between the turn signal switch and the tail light.

I've included the factory turn signal wiring schematic for reference. The "pilot light" is the indicator light in the dash.
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 08:38 AM
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yes you are right that side the turn dont work either i just checked
so what you suggest ?
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 08:45 AM
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so it might be because of turn signal ??
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 08:53 AM
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Check to see if your tail light works. If not is likely the ground to the light. If the taillight works and not the brake light it is likely the turn signal switch or the wiring from the switch to the tail light.
Good Luck
Larry
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 10:48 AM
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yes tail ( parking ) lights do work ,, so that means it come from the turn signals ??
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by lilrobo
yes you are right that side the turn dont work either i just checked
so what you suggest ?
Trace your wire back to the source of power to find where the disconnect is.
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 12:44 PM
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so i have a might mare here for some reason ,, away
the bulb has 2 filaments high and low ,, the brake and turn uses the high and the parking uses the low, right ? and on that low side , the side marker light uses that same low side ( small bulb ) in same light fixture is that right so far ??, and if so how does the brake light switch( pressure switch ) come in to play ? i know 1 side is hot and when pressure is applied send power to where ? i think it all started when i did the dash cluster and i just didnt know it ,,

thanks
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 01:01 PM
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The brake light switch sends power to the turn signal switch. It directs th power to the tail and front marker lights from there.

As was stated earlier, if the left turn signal and brake light are both out, I would look at that wire and connections first.

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
 
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Old 11-16-2013, 02:45 PM
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i found the problem ,,
1 st there was a wire that came apart i fixed that but the main problem was the other day i thought the bulb was blown so i replaced it but i didnt put it in right and i was getting bleed over ,, i dont like these tail light the blub dont go in right ,,, anyway sorry for all the hassle and thanks for helping me out
 
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