Flare side tail lights
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Flare side tail lights
So I've got a 78 flare side and the tail lights are the universal style. So when I turn my headlights on my tail lights illuminate using the same circuit as my turn signals. And so if my headlights are on, my rear turn signals don't signal because they're already illuminated. For anyone else that has a flare side, are your rear lights like this?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: NE Texas
Your turn signal lights are probably 1157 dual-filament bulbs. One filament glows when the parking lights or headlights are on, the other filament only glows when it has juice from a) turn signals/hazards front or rear or b) when brakes are applied at the rear. If your rears light up the wrong filaments on headlights, either the bulbs have been installed wrong in the sockets (possible) or someone screwed up wiring the sockets and the b side circuit is wired to the headlights. Check that 1) all the bulbs are correctly installed 2) each socket is correctly wired and the bulb base contacts in the sockets get juice at the right times and c) you may as well clean all your grounds at all four corners because sooner or later you will need to anyway and you're there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: NE Texas
in the rear, yes (obviously you don't have brake lights to the front.) One bulb, two filaments. Two contacts in the base of the socket, one will be hot when your headlights are on, one when either brakes, turn signals, or hazards are on. Hard to say what the problem is without checking it with a test light. Most of the time, though, the problem is not wiring, it is that grounds, sockets, or bulbs have been allowed to deteriorate. But ya never know till you check.
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No with this particular situation it's definitely a wiring issue. I had installed a universal wiring harness and must have gotten it backwards. But thanks again for the help I really appreciate it. I went to get the inspection done today and of course didn't get it because my lights weren't right. So thanks again.
And as a side note HoustonDave, I work in Houston too.
And as a side note HoustonDave, I work in Houston too.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: NE Texas
I am so sorry.... haven't been out today but was supposed to be 97 or so and humid.
If you put in a new harness my first check would be whether you have the parking light hot wire going to the brake light/turn signal contact in the rear sockets on each side.
If you put in a new harness my first check would be whether you have the parking light hot wire going to the brake light/turn signal contact in the rear sockets on each side.
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Yea it was extremely humid. Unfortunately I haven't installed air conditioning in my truck yet. So it gets a little miserable. But as long as I'm moving the quarter Windows make a world of difference.
But yea I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I did. I'll take a gander at it tonight after it cools down a little. Matter of fact I think I was confused when I wired it up. And pretty sure you just cleared it up for me. One more reason why these forums are great!
But yea I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I did. I'll take a gander at it tonight after it cools down a little. Matter of fact I think I was confused when I wired it up. And pretty sure you just cleared it up for me. One more reason why these forums are great!
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Cross-Country
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I opened this thread hoping it was where to buy flareside tail lights. I need a driver side one for my 78 and can't find them any where.
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Yea I mean I haven't been able to buy anything original or what not. But the universal tail lights that I used are the ones you can get at the parts stores, or even Walmart. They have the same bolt pattern to bolt right onto the light bracket for the flareside truck. I think I ordered mine off amazon for pretty cheap. And of course I'm not too worried about it being all original.
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But yea I was able to fix the issue. And with this universal harness the turn signal wires are the same ones used for the brake lights. Which I think it's the same way from the factory. But with these dual filament bulbs one is greatly brighter than the other. And both circuits were energizing like they should, however the running lights were energizing the brighter one and so the brake lights/turn signals were not even noticeable with the headlights on. So I just switched the two wires on each tail light and everything is working as it should. I'll go see able that inspection tomorrow first thing. Thanks again HoustonDave!!
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I'd post a link but that never works from my phone.
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