stoplight switch location

[DLK]

When I turn on my right rear turn signal both rear signals blink. I assume from reading old posts that is because there is feedback through the stoplight wiring. Can someone tell me where to look for the stoplight switch on my 50 Dodge? It appears from the schematic and prior posts here that one of the seven wires coming down my column is supposed to go to the switch. Since the person who installed my factory turnsignal unit after the fact used generic green 20 gauge wire for everything it will be fun trying to figure out which goes where without taking the column mounted stalk apart.

[aero3113]

The switch on my 50 Plymouth is under the car towards the rear, follow the brake line on the left frame rail.

[JerseyHarold]

When I turn on my right rear turn signal both rear signals blink.

In my experience, the feedback occurs because there is a bad ground. Check your right-rear socket for crud that is preventing it from grounding.

[DLK]

In my experience, the feedback occurs because there is a bad ground. Check your right-rear socket for crud that is preventing it from grounding.

That makes sense because I don't believe I changed any of the wiring connections before the problem started. I am finding using the arm out the window method is getting old and is useless on I-35. Plus it seems anyone under 40 does not understand arm signals...:)

[JerseyHarold]

I agree about hand signals being alien to most drivers. My wonderful Ford Contour has a bad alternator, and in my recent dash for home before the battery died and the car quit I used hand signals to conserve juice. It met with some strange looks from other drivers.

You may want to take the bulb out of your right-rear light and see if the brass base is corroded. That's been the culprit in a number of no-ground/backfeed situations I've encountered.

[Phil Martin]

Switch is indeed in brake line near the rearend.

[woodie49]

Are arm signals even legal anymore;)? Certainly a lot less convenient at today's freeway speeds. And, who would want to risk the "stop" signal being understood:eek:!

I am not sure, but it does seem to me that I had a corvette once that developed a similar problem that was fixed by replacing the flasher. As I say it, it seems unlikely, but I am pretty sure this was the case. An easy test, in any case.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would think so as they are part of the drivers test and in the study guide to get your permit...however police will still pull you and cite you for a mechanical defect if they are so inclined...though you are correct and will probably be found not guilty of any vehicle code...it is still not fun..a friend of mine's son had a very similar experience not so long back..

[RobertKB]

I had that exact same problem with my '38 Chyrsler with all new wiring. Only thing not new was the headlight switch itself. Left signal worked great, right signal made both taillights blink as well as the licence light. I tried all the above to no affect although one of those things may work in your case. I then turned on the park lights and headlights with the switch a few times and problem gone. I am still not sure what was wrong but it might have been the contacts in the switch for the parking lights. It has worked fine ever since and that was a year ago. Sometimes these gremlins hide in strange places.

[DLK]

I had that exact same problem with my '38 Chyrsler with all new wiring. Only thing not new was the headlight switch itself. Left signal worked great, right signal made both taillights blink as well as the licence light. I tried all the above to no affect although one of those things may work in your case. I then turned on the park lights and headlights with the switch a few times and problem gone. I am still not sure what was wrong but it might have been the contacts in the switch for the parking lights. It has worked fine ever since and that was a year ago. Sometimes these gremlins hide in strange places.

I pulled the front seat out again - I can see this is going to be a major project. As if things weren't wierd enough when I step on the brakes in addition to the brake lights the parking lights in front come on. Last night my headlights quit working too so I am going to have to get under the dash and test all these circuits. I wish I could find a local shop with some expertise on 60 year old wiring circuits, it wouldn't take much to exceed mine.

[TodFitch]

Are arm signals even legal anymore;)? Certainly a lot less convenient at today's freeway speeds. And, who would want to risk the "stop" signal being understood:eek:!

Your profile says you are in California, so here it is for your state:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22111.htm

I only have one rear tail light (the right side was an option which I have not, so far, installed) so I use hand signals. There are a number of people who wave back.

[RobertKB]

I pulled the front seat out again - I can see this is going to be a major project. As if things weren't wierd enough when I step on the brakes in addition to the brake lights the parking lights in front come on. Last night my headlights quit working too so I am going to have to get under the dash and test all these circuits. I wish I could find a local shop with some expertise on 60 year old wiring circuits, it wouldn't take much to exceed mine.

Sounds like the Rube-Goldberg of wiring going on. Good luck with finding the culprit. It can sometimes be quite simple and other times not so. Brake light on and front parking lights coming on indicates something was wired wrong when the seven wire signal light unit was installed. Looks like you will have to check each system separately as you indicated. Good luck with solving the problem.

[P-12 Tommy]

I remember years ago I had a '77 Dodge van that when I put the turn signal on, all the bulbs would blink. Turned out both of the filaments in the front left turn signal bulb fused together for some reason.

Tom