Driver's Side Tail Light Issue

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Oct 5, 2010 | 08:08 PM

RobsOld72

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Driver's Side Tail Light Issue

I'm new to the sight and I'm hoping I can find some help. I have a '72 F-100 and I'm in the process of turning it into a daily driver. One issue going on is the driver's side tail light. With the driving lights on, the lamp works...left turn signal on, the lamp works...you hit the brakes, the lamp goes out...with the drivings lights on and you put the right turn signal on, the driver's side tail light goes out. I've checked the ground wire, cleaned the connections and ran a meter on it to see if there is a break in the wire somewhere. No luck. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can check next?
Thank you in advance.

Oct 6, 2010 | 04:31 AM

jowilker

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Joined: Jun 1999

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

Welcome to FTE Rob, From what I have read you have a grounding issue.

There are 3 wires used for the rear lights
1- referred to as tail lights I think you call them driving, left & right side including license plate.

The other two share brake & turn signal duties. 2 because of left & right side flash. This is wire & bulb filament.

Start cleaning the bulb sockets with a wire brush bulb contact points too. Look for trailer light connection (could have dirt/corrosion buildup).

You may have to super clean, but when you get the current flowing correctly the lights will work like they are supposed to. Since they do work grounding is the only culprit left.

guluk

John

Oct 6, 2010 | 06:33 PM

RobsOld72

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Thank you for the info, I appreciate it more than you know! I'll try that exactly and get'em working.
Thank you again.

Oct 6, 2010 | 08:10 PM

DAV1972

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2000

Posts: 466

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From: Albuquerque, NM

I had a similar problem. First I checked and cleaned all the grounds, fuses, bulbs I could find. No difference. Then I followed the Hot wires on the drivers side down the frame to the back of the bed. I found a "Hot" wire that went through a hole in the frame had worn through and was grounding on the frame. It never blew a fuse but caused issues such as you described. Good Luck

Oct 6, 2010 | 08:50 PM

RobsOld72

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Thank you. I know the path you're talking about on the wire as I've followed it down the frame. I'll go back and actually look at the path of the wire and the condition of it to make sure it's not grounding out. I appreciate your feedback very much! Thank you.

Oct 7, 2010 | 04:27 AM

jowilker

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 24,552

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

Something is robbing the power, (grounding) because you said everything works one at a time.

John

Oct 7, 2010 | 07:41 PM

RobsOld72

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Jowilker...thank you for your guidence. I followed your steps exactly and the drivers side brake (tail) light does come on when you hit the brake pedal now. I ran it through a series of test, lights on braking, turn signals and it seems to work like it's supposed to; lights off and braking, turn signals and it worked most of the time. This tells me I still have small ground issue and need to retrace the wires to ensure they're ok. I greatly appreciate your guidence and suggestions.
DAV1972, i did follow the path of the wires after completing the above steps from Jowilker and found no breaks or any that looked like it could be the culprit. I'm going to try again tomorrow and retrace the wire path and remove old tape and check wires. Thank you for your guidence and suggestions too as I appreciate your feedback.

Another post coming, maybe both of you will have an answer to my next wiring issue...