reverse light issue
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Joined: Nov 2010
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reverse light issue
Hi there long time reader first time threader. I have an issue with my 68 highboy 4x4 having some rear electrical problems. I purchased my first highboy about a month ago and have just been working on makin it a good runner trying to figure out the bugs. This forum has been of great value so far.
I was recently having some wierd rear turn signal and brake light problems which turned out being the turn signal switch which was replaced today and fixed the problem. But now when i turn my lights on, the driver side reverse light goes on as well, and it appears to be robbing power from the brake light. Also when the taillight housing scrapes against the bed where it fits into, I can see arcing like its "hot". So if it is a grounding problem or shorting issue, I dont know where it would be. I replaced the entire wiring harness in the rear and have used different tail light housings to see if it was just the housing. Just replaced all the bulbs today also. I have searched high and low in this forum but found nothing. Do you guys and gals have any ideas on what it could be? Thank you.
I was recently having some wierd rear turn signal and brake light problems which turned out being the turn signal switch which was replaced today and fixed the problem. But now when i turn my lights on, the driver side reverse light goes on as well, and it appears to be robbing power from the brake light. Also when the taillight housing scrapes against the bed where it fits into, I can see arcing like its "hot". So if it is a grounding problem or shorting issue, I dont know where it would be. I replaced the entire wiring harness in the rear and have used different tail light housings to see if it was just the housing. Just replaced all the bulbs today also. I have searched high and low in this forum but found nothing. Do you guys and gals have any ideas on what it could be? Thank you.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Mike, The electrical circuit on American made vehicles is negative ground, meaning all the current sent out to a light bulb has to make contact with the body to get back to the battery.
Remove a light housing bucket from a vehicle and touch it to the body with the light switch on and you should see arching. House current will do the same if you plug something into a receptacle with a light on.
As for your reverse light coming on too, it sounds like it has direct contact with the brake light wire somewhere. You will have to dig into it and find it. I would start at the light housing itself.
John
Remove a light housing bucket from a vehicle and touch it to the body with the light switch on and you should see arching. House current will do the same if you plug something into a receptacle with a light on.
As for your reverse light coming on too, it sounds like it has direct contact with the brake light wire somewhere. You will have to dig into it and find it. I would start at the light housing itself.
John
