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

tailight ground

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 28, 2002 | 07:13 PM
  #1  
jml's Avatar
jml
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Walla Walla USA
tailight ground

Ok......new wiring and my tailights work with the lights but only the right one works with the brakes. Am I correct that the only ground is into the tail-light unit itself? Otherwise the right tailight would not work as well if there were additional grounds. Brand new tail-light as well...?????
Thanks jim
http://www.48f-1.com

 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2002 | 09:17 PM
  #2  
truckzilla's Avatar
truckzilla
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Granite Bay USA
tailight ground

 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2002 | 10:16 PM
  #3  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
tailight ground

What kind of turnsignal switch are you using? How many bulbs and how many filaments (or hot wires) go to each bulb in the back? If you have the conventional wiring with a single dual filament bulb in each taillamp, then your brake lights run through your turn signal switch. This switch is rather complicated, as it lets the brake signal from the brake pedal switch go through to both taillamps, but disconnects the brake circuit to a particular lamp and connects it to the flasher when you want to turn. I don't know if you have an original switch or a custom type add-on unit.
 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2002 | 08:21 PM
  #4  
jml's Avatar
jml
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Walla Walla USA
tailight ground

Hmmmmmm... I do not have any turn signals. I took them off years ago. My brake lights and lights were working up until I replaced my taillights and picked up so new replica ones. Everything appears to be wired but obviously I have a problem. Is the ground inside of the light? Jim
http://www.48f-1.com

 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2002 | 08:35 PM
  #5  
Craig's Avatar
Craig
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Campbell U S A
tailight ground

Hey Jim,
The ground for your tail lights, brake lights and even the turn signals, if you had them, would be through the tail light housing and to wherever you have it mounted. My guess would be that if you have tail lights working in both and only one brake light working, the connections to the brake light circuit are not there. Check them and make sure they are going to the right wires. Partial grounds to the chassis can make strange things happen too, so be sure they're good and clean. Hopefully, you have a schematic diagram for your truck. I never get close the wire harness without one. Whatever you do, have fun man!

Craig in Campbell
 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2002 | 08:40 PM
  #6  
barry's Avatar
barry
Postmaster
25 Year Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
tailight ground

It's time to get out the test light and check the ground in that light. also make sure the body of the lamp is grounded ok to the bracket and in turn the bracket is grounded ok to the body. try a temporary jumper wire to the frame from the light body to see if the grounds are ok. If it works, then I'd say there's a ground problem for sure.Could even be a bad socket in the lamp. try swapping bulbs if you haven't done so already. test the leads for power with someone stepping on the pedal. You can use a 12V test light, it just won't glow as bright.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:15 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE