rear directional signal light

[central52]

On my 47 Plymouth, my directional signal lights for the rear works during the day fine.  However, at nite, with the headlites on, and tail lite on, it won't show the turn, left or right.  I have the dual filament lite bulbs in there.  Is there a triple filament lite that I have to use?  The front ones work OK that I have attached to the parking lites.   Ed

[Young Ed]

Did you rewire with double filament sockets? During the day can you brake and signal or do you still only have the single center brake light?

[mrwrstory]

try switching the wires

[desoto1939]

MAke sure you have the bulb making contact with the coorect contact points of the bulb and the socket.

 

You might have the bulb installed in the incorrect relationship to the contact points.

 

I have seen this done on modern cars when the owner has replaced a burned out bulb and they do not get the bulb installed with the correct indexing.  So the bright brake light is always on and then when the hit the brake the light goes dull.

 

Also check for a good ground on the sockets to the body.

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[central52]

Yes, I have the double filament sockets.  And during the day, both rear tail lites, and the center light do go on when I apply the brakes.  But at nite, with the tail lites on, only the center light goes on.  Will check the bulb and contact points, and make sure I have a good ground.  Thanks, guys,    Ed

[Jim Yergin]

I had the same problem with my '41 Plymouth. Discovered the power to my brake/turn signals was less than 6 volts. Ran new heavier gauge wires to the rear and that fixed my problem.

Jim Yergin

[greg g]

First thing I would do is assure the lamps are indexed correctly so the brighter filament is being energized by the brake signal circuit pigtail Then assure your the bulb has a good ground path from the bulb to the socket and then from the socket to the chassis.  I had a similar situation with my fronts I needed to clean the inside of the socket, and give it a bit of a squeeze for good contact, and tun separate ground wires from the lamp assembly to a spot on the inner fender.  If that doesn't do anything then look for resistance in the wires.  There are butt connectors in the trunk that might need cleaning, if that doesn't work check the connections at the switches. 

 

Also you can run a dedicated feed wire from the battery side of the solenoid to the brake light switch to bypass any resistance that may be in that portion of the circuit.  Just run a 10/12 gauge wire with an in line fuse from the solenoid tot he hydraulic switch.  This will give you a chance to check those connections to see if they are good and clean.

Edited October 31, 2013 by greg g

[desoto1939]

Question:  during the day with the lights not tuned on and you use either right or left turn signal do the appropriate lights flash with the lights out, yes or no.

 

If they do blink is is a very weak light or a bright light?  if weak then you might have the bulbs insert incorrectly.  The blinker should be the high intensity and the low intensity is the running lights. 

 

Did you install an after market turnsignla unit and how many wires are there for the turnsignal unit?

 

Now go out a night time do not turn the lights on forthe car. use the turn signal do you get a weak or strong signal?

 

If week then reverse the double fillment bulb in the socket.  Make sure that the dual filiments are making contact in the base of the bulb.

 

USe a 6v battery charger grounf the bulb with one connect on the charger to the base of the bulb, then use the other clips and clipa a wires to it then touch one of the contacts on the bulb. it should light then do the same with the other contact. MAke sure the bulbs are even working.

 

What bulb number are you using?  I think it should be a 1158 if my memory is correct??????

 

Rich HArtung

[Niel Hoback]

 I think 1154 for 6 volt dual filament.

[central52]

Hmm. OK, will try to check all those things out.  Ed

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think you need to investigate the index of the dual filament wiring..this is typical if you have the universal socket insualtors installed wrong

[greg g]

 You can help the output of the lamps, by fashioning a reflective surface behind the lamp as there is nothing back of the light bulb but body colored fender.  eve painting the surface under the lamps white or silver can improve the output of the lights.

[desoto1939]

To help on my taillights I got a spray can of Chrome spray paint at the local Home Depot. Taped the socket so that no paint would get intot he socket and then sprayed the inside of the taillight housing.  Or you can use some reflective tin foil in the back of the bucket to push the light forward.

 

Rich Hartung

[Don Coatney]

Did you re-wire your car and if so can you post a picture of the schematic you used?

[Tones52]

This thread was a real help because I was having problems with very dim brake and signal lights especially on the left side. After going through some of the troubleshooting tips, I found that the wiring had been spliced and that the contact wasn't as good where spliced. So I put in a new section of wire with connectors. Then I painted the inside of the tail light housing with the silver/chrome model car paint.

 

This is on a 6 volt system and the driving lights were on. While much improved, I would appreciate hearing from others to see if it's OK. Thanks,

Tony

 

Here's the left side:

 

http://

 

And here's the right side:

 

http://

[desoto1939]

Tones52:

 

The lights look bright in the picture during the day. Also check them at night time also.  A good ground is very very important with the 6v system.

 

Glad that all of the suggestions helped you find your issue.

 

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com