I switched my taillights in my '53 chevy to taillights from a '54, they worked before the switch and now they dont (I am using the same bulbs) I am guessing that they arent making a ground now - anyone have any ideas on how to check / fix this?? thanks-
Find (or file) a patch of bright, shiny metal on your frame and, with your lights on, touch a wire from your taillight socket to the shiny patch. If it lights, you had a bad ground.
You didn't say you wanted WORKING tail lights, did you??? I have horrid grounds on my 54 but the tail lights work, no brake lights though...
HaHa, all I needed was the housings, I am still using the bulbs and wiring from the '53 that were working before the swap - I am sure its just not getting a ground now that I put it all back together...is it possible I blew a fuse during the swap (havent even looked to see if the tail/brakelight circuit has a fuse, sure it does??) Danimal - have you got any '53 or 4 headlight trim I could buy to use to french the headlights?? thanks-
don't know if this will help or not. but my brother keeps replacing the brake light switch in his 53. apparently they like to go out often. _T
Grounds on those tailights are a pain. There is no fuse in the circuit if it is the stock wiring. Grab a test light and see if you are getting juice at the light socket, if not then check the brake light switch. I'd bet money it's a bad ground though. Bill
Yeah. I've got a pair of 54 and 1 53 headlight rings. PM me and we'll figure it out. I had a list of parts that folks wanted and I somehow blew it away. I posted saying 'if you were asking for parts from me, let me know.' Didn't hear back so I guess you take the lead on the rings!! A couple small dings but nothing you can't save. I've got stuff to ship out tomorrow (sorry guys, didn't do it today) so I can dig those out tonight while I'm working on getting steering arms for TPost...
i had the same problem in my 53 when i swapped to 54's. Turns out it was the ground. I just removed the paint where the taillight housing mounts to the body and I guess it restored the ground again because they work great now. You could also try cleaning up the metal where the socket sits in the backing plate of the housing, as the sockets are grounded to the housing.
cleaned up the spots that look like they should be grounds and now the lights work, using a jumper wire to a ground is a good trick! What can a person do to prevent spots they have sanded the paint off for a ground from rusting?? thanks-
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