Strange light issue
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
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Strange light issue
Guy's,
Earlier today while it was sitting in the garage, I noticed the taillights on my '41 1.5 ton were on. And they were the only thing on, and the switch was off! I operated the switch and all other lights went on and off when they were supposed to, but the taillights stayed on. What do I have going on here??
I last used the truck Tuesday evening and I don't think they were on then when I parked it. I don't know how long they were on, but the truck did turn over when I tried it. I don't know how long a battery will last with two taillights being lit. Anyway, anybody else ever experience this? Does it mean my switch is shorted/bad or do you think I have a wiring problem somewhere? Any trouble prone areas I should look at first? Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks guy's.
Steve
Earlier today while it was sitting in the garage, I noticed the taillights on my '41 1.5 ton were on. And they were the only thing on, and the switch was off! I operated the switch and all other lights went on and off when they were supposed to, but the taillights stayed on. What do I have going on here??
I last used the truck Tuesday evening and I don't think they were on then when I parked it. I don't know how long they were on, but the truck did turn over when I tried it. I don't know how long a battery will last with two taillights being lit. Anyway, anybody else ever experience this? Does it mean my switch is shorted/bad or do you think I have a wiring problem somewhere? Any trouble prone areas I should look at first? Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks guy's.
Steve
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 705
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From: SoCal - Redlands
When I first got my '39 p/u the brake lights would stay on. Turns out the m/c wasn't releasing fully allowing the lights to stay on. I replaced the off shore m/c with a USA made Wagner one and no more brake lights staying on.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,981
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From: Angier, NC
I was also going to say how do you know it is not the brake lights staying on?
If it was the running / tail lights I would think other lights would also be on.
Easy to check pull the wires going to the brake light switch and if they go out you know its the brake lights that need looking into.
Let us know what you find as it can help others.
Dave ----
If it was the running / tail lights I would think other lights would also be on.
Easy to check pull the wires going to the brake light switch and if they go out you know its the brake lights that need looking into.
Let us know what you find as it can help others.
Dave ----
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2015
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Guy's,
Just an update here. I thought I had a running light problem but 51504BAT was right. The brake light switch was sticking, just slightly I guess, allowing the brake lights to come on but only half as bright- like the running lights. I took the lenses off and had my father work the pedal while I looked at filaments, then I could "see" what was going on. I didn't know it was possible for the brake lights to work on "half power", so to speak.
Now for the stranger part. The switch only stuck that one time! After my father and I looked at the problem and they went off without any tinkering, the lights have not gotten stuck on again. I've used the truck several times since, and out of curiosity, I've just stepped on the brake pedal a number of times while in the garage to see if the lights stayed on. They have gone off every time after the pedal returns. I'll keep a close eye on them. Chances are, and as my luck goes, the switch is probably starting to fail. At least I know now what I'll probably replacing in the near future.
Thanks for the info guy's.
Steve
Just an update here. I thought I had a running light problem but 51504BAT was right. The brake light switch was sticking, just slightly I guess, allowing the brake lights to come on but only half as bright- like the running lights. I took the lenses off and had my father work the pedal while I looked at filaments, then I could "see" what was going on. I didn't know it was possible for the brake lights to work on "half power", so to speak.
Now for the stranger part. The switch only stuck that one time! After my father and I looked at the problem and they went off without any tinkering, the lights have not gotten stuck on again. I've used the truck several times since, and out of curiosity, I've just stepped on the brake pedal a number of times while in the garage to see if the lights stayed on. They have gone off every time after the pedal returns. I'll keep a close eye on them. Chances are, and as my luck goes, the switch is probably starting to fail. At least I know now what I'll probably replacing in the near future.
Thanks for the info guy's.
Steve
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