Hello, first time question asker long time question reader. I have a 48 F47 I'm restoring as orginal as possible. Problem rear tail lights. Green wire -brake light works when nothing else is turned on. Once I turn on taillights/headlights...I have no brake lights, no tail lights. Both green and black wire indicate power is being supplied. I can never get tail lights working. I figure I'm missing something simple, but can't figure it out!! any and all help greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to the Ontario Chapter.

There's not alot of wiring on a '48 so thats the good news. The bad news is that after 60+ years and many owners a lot can change from the way it was originally.
I belive the '48 had a pressure switch for the brake light or stop switch. Does it still have an original headlight switch? I would start with these two items and make sure there working and wired right.
I have a manual at home that should cover the '48 Truck I can take a look at the schematic and send you more info.

Have you thought about a 12v conversion and rewiring the hole thing? It's not that hard to do.

Frank

 

You gotta love a one page schematic.
No oxygen sensors or EEC to worry about here...
Hope this helps.



Send me a PM with your email and I'll send you a copy if this is too hard to read.

frank

 

Hi, thanks for the help, I know the brake pressure switch is good, I'm going to try by-passing the light switch. Also plan on heading to Aurther to look at other trucks. Next step will be going 12v.

 

Frank, do you have a 51 schematic at all?

 

I have a '47 manual that covers cars and trucks. The trucks went through a body style change in '48 but I imagine the electrical was the same. Post war cars 46 to 48 are virtually identical so thats why i think the trucks would be as well.
Not sure if the schematic would cover the '51. Later '51s with the 3 tooth grill are my favourite by the way. PM me with your email address and I'll send you the schematic. You should be able to figure out if its the right one.
I converted my '48 to 12v and rewired the whole thing. Much better now than running 6v with an 8volt battery and a mechanical voltage regulator,.. yuck. I used a 6v regulator to run the gauges and the heater fan (heater not hooked up yet).

frank