I have poor grounds at each of the 6 tail light sockets. What is the procedure for getting to the back side of the sockets? I believe that I need to clean the sockets with steel wool or perhaps add some grounding wires to each of the sockets. From the inside of the trunk it looks like the panel is welded in place and I can see the pointed end of some screws. I currently have the lenses removed and don't know the next step.
Lauran
The fiberglas panel needs to come off to access the housings and wiring
Make sure to steel wool both the socket itself AND the socket hole in the housing where the socket plugs in. If my memory is working, there are ground wires that run from the tail light housing to the body of the car. Check those and make sure they are in good condition, clean and tightly connected. Using steel wool on the sockets and housing and cleaning the ground wire to the body eliminated my tail light gremlins. Oh, and while you have it apart, it would be a good time to pop in new tail light bulbs if you would like.
Jeff
does the bumper need to come off to access the fasteners for the fiberglass panel?
Ah yes, you stand on the top of the "slippery slope
:D"
And there is a "Light Socket Brush Kit" for cleaning inside the sockets themselves. IPA Tools #8086. I think they are around $20 online. Easier than trying to get into the sockets with sandpaper or steel wool for me. Mike
Here is a picture I took while working on the tail lights of the wire that grounds the housing to the body. The connector probably is not original or correct, but wanted to make sure you know this ground wire needs to be on your car and what to look for.
Jeff
Quote from: mr68shelby on June 21, 2019, 12:29:45 AM
And there is a "Light Socket Brush Kit" for cleaning inside the sockets themselves. IPA Tools #8086. I think they are around $20 online. Easier than trying to get into the sockets with sandpaper or steel wool for me. Mike
Thanks Mike. I've been wondering if there was,something like this. I found them on Amazon and Ebay.
Ted
Has anyone tried copper solder?
Rather than steel wool, I'd try a stainless steel wire brush. Less mess and no weird loose steel wool getting in the wrong place.
Quote from: roddster on June 21, 2019, 12:20:37 PM
Rather than steel wool, I'd try a stainless steel wire brush. Less mess and no weird loose steel wool getting in the wrong place.
Or a scotchbrite pad. You can wrap it around a 1/4" dowel and use a drill to clean them fast and easy.
I have purchased a pair of reproduction tail light pig tails. Included are 6 copper washers. Does anyone know how the copper washers are meant to be installed. I have tried installing them on the back side of the metal tail light buckets and three of the six sockets do not stay in place when installing the 1157 light bulbs. Do I need to replace the metal tail light buckets?
Lauran
I asked the manufacturer to create these several years ago.
Please know they are not oem parts. Many sockets are loose in the housings. This it makes it very difficult to change a bulb if needed and if you push the socket out, you get to disassemble the entire rear of the car...
So, the ring pushes onto the socket from the reflector side. The small teeth will hold the socket tight, thus eliminating floppy socket syndrome. A deep well socket works well, while holding the socket from the back.
What are some ways of connecting a ground wire to each of the six light sockets? Perhaps some brass shim stock soldered to the wire and then placing the shim stock between the light bulb socket and the steel tail light housing?
Lauran
The new wiring assembly is installed with copper washers and no extra ground wires.
(1) When I turn on the left blinker, there is weak sequential lighting of the three left tail lights and the 3 right tail lights come on weak without sequencing.
(2) When I turn on the right blinker, there is weak sequential lighting of the three right tail lights and the 3 left tail light come on weak without sequencing.
(3) When the high and low beam tail lights are on, all 6 tail lights are on and are strong.
(4) When the emergency flasher is on , all 6 tail lights are on and are weak.
Do I need to install the old dynamite sticks or the ground wires connecting the screws in the steel tail light piece?
Lauran
In the photograph by JWH I see one wire. One end of the wire is connected to a screw that is not used by the factory wiring assembly. To what location is the other end of the wire attached? I assume one wire is needed for each of the steel tail light housings.
Lauran
Thats not a factory wire and to further complicate matters the housings are white metal which is not a ground
I have run a wire from each steel tail light housing. One end of the wire is attached to a screw not used by the wiring harness. the other end is attached to a screw in the steel panel that makes up the rear of the trunk.
The turn signals work front and back.
The emergency flashers work front and back.
The brake lights work.
When the headlights are turned on, the headlights flicker and there is a clicking sound perhaps from the relay in the new ignition switch. the gauge lights for oil pressure and water temperature flicker. There are no tail lights. I have not yet checked for a burnt fuse.
What might be causing this problem?
Lauran
Is the clicking coming from the headlight switch? There is a thermal overload breaker inside in line with the headlight circuit. I believe the tail lights are also on the same circuit. Try unplugging one tail light or headlight at a time to isolate the short. It is also possible that after improving all your grounds the circuit is now drawing more current and exposing a weak headlight switch breaker.
Kurt.
I have soldered wire between the sockets and to a ground in the trunk. the clicking of the ignition switch has gone away. I have no tail lights as before.
By what method does the ground find its way to the tail light panel which is fiberglass? Is it the black wire with an electrical eyelet? How does power get to the rear light bulbs when only the tail lights are on? I still have no tail lights when the headlights are on.
Lauran
What flashers do I need for the sequential tail lights to operate properly?
Lauran
Turn signsl flasher #323
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/178-060719124653.jpeg)
What is the number of the green flasher in the dash board area. I have a Wagner 552. Is this correct?
Lauran
We have no way of telling what number you flasher is?
There are two flashers under the dash, the turn signal flasher and the emergency flasher
TS flasher 323. E flasher 552. On original system e flasher will generally not sequence outer bulbs. This is normal.
At this point I believe the tail light problem has been solved. I checked the black wire for running lights and the black wire for the ground associated with the dynamite sticks and they were reversed. I swapped the two wires and all the functions with the tail lights seem to be working just fine. Thanks for all the help.
Lauran
Quote from: RSOHC on July 07, 2019, 06:17:30 PM
At this point I believe the tail light problem has been solved. I checked the black wire for running lights and the black wire for the ground associated with the dynamite sticks and they were reversed. I swapped the two wires and all the functions with the tail lights seem to be working just fine. Thanks for all the help.
Lauran
Reversing those will usually toast your TS switch. You are lucky if it didn't
What is a TS switch?
Lauran
Turn Signal