1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

[William G.]

Can anyone help me wit this, with the lights on the both tail lights work, both turn signals work however when I turn on the right side turn signal the left side tail light goes out, it does not happen when the drivers side turn signal is on
thanks
Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

Bill,

My first thought is a bad directional switch. Second thought a bad ground at the left lamp assembly. Easier to check the ground first. Run a wire from the lamp housing to the left bumper as a ground check.

As you can see below, the stop lights go through the directional switch, and have unique contacts to keep the "non-flashing" lamps to be lit and still allow the brake lamp to work when the opposite directional is flashing.

Rich

C1dirswitch.jpg

[William G.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

Thanks Rich; I sort of understand the workings, but I am confused in the fact that both signals do work would that still be a grounding problem

[Edward J.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

Rich, I think you are correct with a ground problem, the turn signals has it own ground circut and when the right turn signal is on its finding another ground path and its from the L/tail lamp.

[William G.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

thanks I will check it out...and let you know
Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

Yes the more I think about it, it has to be a ground problem. And it's probably just the connection at the left lamp. They loosen up and corrode easily.

If not there........The rear lamps and license lamps(and fuel sender) get ground from a single black/white tracer wire which attaches to the left rear inner bumper bracket. It's held to the bracket with a small machine screw, and is located under the rear trunk filler piece. If you have to get to it, you have to remove the spare, then unscrew all of the sheet metal screws(apx 12 or so) to remove the filler. Be careful not to break that machine screw. It's probably rusted in. Clean the connection if needed.

[William G.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

Rich; it was the ground at the tail light, thanks to all for the help... on to the next

Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Tail Lghts & turn Sigals

Glad you fixed it. Bad grounds can cause some very odd behavior.

Rich