dim bulb
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Junior User
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dim bulb
the tail lite and brake/signal bulb on pass rear of my 74 is noticabily dimmer than other side. same bulb but different filaments. i cleaned the grond with no improvent. i noticed with ground unhooked, the bulb was still lit. i even cut the ground wire and its still lit. where is it getting its ground from?
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Stanton,Ne
Check the socket itself. It's possible that the wire that runs to the tailight has a bare spot on it where it goes into it. Or corrosion in the socket might be it. It sounds like you have a bad ground from the tailight wire somewhere in the harness. I'd start with the socket and work my way back to the light switch making sure all connections and grounds are clean and tight. It might take awhile.
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From: Stanton,Ne
This may sound simplistic, but have you tried changing the bulb itself? It could be that one of the filaments inside the bulb has broken and is touching the other. Have a buddy watch while you step on the brake pedal and see if there's any change. Make sure you have the tailights on when you do it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
Need to know a few things...
Which taillamps do you have?
1973 and Early 1974s:
They use a seperate taillight lens and metal lamp housing.
The lights ground through the metal lamp housing.
Late 1974s:
Use a combination plastic lamp and lens housing with seperable plastic lamp sockets.
Used 1974.5-1979
Which taillamps do you have?
1973 and Early 1974s:
They use a seperate taillight lens and metal lamp housing.
The lights ground through the metal lamp housing.
Late 1974s:
Use a combination plastic lamp and lens housing with seperable plastic lamp sockets.
Used 1974.5-1979
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Here is the Serial Number change pertaining to wiring of the rear lamps:
1973/74 F100/350 Taillamp Bodies.
1973/74 Before Serial # T00,001
1974 After Serial # T00,001
1973/74 F100/350 Taillamp Bodies.
1973/74 Before Serial # T00,001
1974 After Serial # T00,001
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Junior User
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its a late 74 with plastic housing. first thing a tried was switching bulbs. today i'll try a different socket first and report back. thanks for the ideas so far.
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this morning, i replaced the socket. yes, i am using an 1157 bulb. bulb still comes on without ground connected to body but i noticed the side marker light also comes on when its ground is touched to ground wire for tail/brake light(not yet connected to body ground). maybe this is normal. i was going to take ground screw out for left side but it wouldn't budge. it works ok. anyway, main task was to get pass side as bright as drivers side and it is. so problem was is socket. all it ok now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by willydad
this morning, i replaced the socket. yes, i am using an 1157 bulb. bulb still comes on without ground connected to body but i noticed the side marker light also comes on when its ground is touched to ground wire for tail/brake light(not yet connected to body ground). maybe this is normal.
i was going to take ground screw out for left side but it wouldn't budge. it works ok. anyway, main task was to get pass side as bright as drivers side and it is. so problem was is socket. all it ok now.
Here are some more suggestions to look for to possibly make your lights even brighter
You can clean up the grounds wire eyelits and where they attach to the body with a little sand paper and some dielectric tune up grease to help prevent further corosion. Use new screws that are not rusted as well etc... Use white lithium grease in the lamp sockets to help prevent corosion.
There is also a ground strap from the engine to the firewall of the truck. Make sure it is clean and tight. Also make sure the ground cable from the battery to the engine, and/or frame is also clean and tight.
hope this helps...
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