41 Plymouth adding turn signal flasher.

[JCSpecialDeluxe]

We have been restoring my Bro-In-laws 41 Plymouth P12 Special Deluxe. 

She runs and stops, but he wanted to add turn signals. He had already purchase one of those universal type signal devices that clamp on steering column. Using the parking brake lights I was able to get those to flash, but I've had no luck with getting the rear lights to work. The running lights work fine, but I have been told I need a 6 volt "dual filament" bulb.( The car has been running on negative ground BTW). The receiver/harness has locations for inline pins and the bulbs I have found do not light up brightly. I have searched everywhere, even tried another harness, but the diameter was too small.  Help Please!!

[Sniper]

What bulb are you currently using?  Somewhere here I detailed how to find a bulb to fit a socket, this was in relation to switching from 6v to 12v, but will work for finding a bulb for your application.

 

Found the thread, not as detailed as I had thought but not too hard to follow along, I don;t think?  Anyway here it is.

 

If that doesn't work tell me the bulb number you are using and I'll see what I can find.

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by Sniper

[squirebill]

Just added turn signal switch to my '49 Plymouth wagon/suburban.  From photos I looked at, the '41 Plymouth looks like it has one brake light at the center of the trunk and one light on each rear fender.  The rear fender lights are turned on/off using the "Light" switch on the dashboard.  If the rear light sockets have a single wire running to it and a single filament bulb you will need double filament sockets and bulbs to add the turn signals.i.e. one filament for the rear  running lights and one filament for the turn signal.  Otherwise you have to find a way to have the hot wire from the flasher/turn signal switch interrupt the hot wire feed from the light switch. 

[greg g]

Did you swap the single pole terminal in your running lamps to duals like the picture?  Also some of the old bulbs were non indexed meaning you could insert them with the elements aligned with the incorrect circuit.  If the low watt element is fed by the signal switch it won't draw enough load to activate the thermal switch in the flasher. Do you have one of these? (Circuit tester)  Have the front lights been changed to dual element pig tails also?

 

You may need to do dedicated ground wires from each fixture to the body as well.

Edited October 14, 2020 by greg g

[Sam Buchanan]

I went through the same process with my '48 P15. The dual circuit adapters pictured above were added to the taillight sockets along with new wiring from the front of the car. I kept the center brake light  so now the car is "modern" with a third brake light.  ?

 

The turn signal switch I used manages interrupting the brake light on the side that is 'turn signaling'. It needs to be connected to the brake light switch so it will know when to blink a brake light.

 

Here is a source for the dual filament adapters:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vulcan-Universal-Pigtail-Repair-Phenolic-Disc5-8-Double-Contact-Bulb-Socket-Base-/272559900289?hash=item3f75d60681

 

And the turn signal switch:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-7-Wire-Turn-Signal-Switch-Signal-Stat-900/143096919345?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by Sam Buchanan