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1952-59 Ford Brake lights tailights

Discussion in 'Off Topic Hot Rods & Customs' started by Screenz, Nov 23, 2010.

  1. Screenz
    Joined: Nov 4, 2007
    Posts: 214

    Screenz
    Member
    from Texas city

    After all this ****! now I have no power to my tailights I have turn signals but no brake or driving lights I'm freakin lost.......my original wiring is still there it's next on my list to replace! Anyone have any idea where to even start???
     
  2. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,669

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    You need to pick up a test meter and a test light to track it down,having been there before there are two things to check first #1 look for a frayed wire grounding out as the cloth insulation tends to fall apart on these old Fords #2 check all the ground connections to make sure none are disconnected or loose then use the test lite to see where voltage is present and not present,sometimes it may be necessary to drop the headlight switch down so you can test for voltage out of each terminal while working the switch then follow the wires to where the break is.You may get lucky,but check the wiring in the trunk first I had corrosion in some of the plug in connectors and found that to be a problem and worn contacts in the tailight bulbs,replacements were cheap at Autozone.
     
  3. flyboy89
    Joined: Oct 6, 2010
    Posts: 451

    flyboy89
    Member
    from So. Cal.

    By the way your describing the problem, your turn signal/ brake light circuit is ok. The brake light circuit goes through the turn signal switch befor the power goes to the lights. That way you have a brake light on one side and a turn signal on the other. If you have no brake lights, check the brake light switch or fuse. No tail or driving lights are a separate problem and a different circuit. It might be the headlight switch.
     
  4. Retro Jim
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 3,853

    Retro Jim
    Member

    First check make sure it's grounded good ! Are the wires running to the lights solid with no connection blocks ? I do know a lot of modern cars have a connector in the trunk and the same with the headlights . I am not sure how you have your's wired up but check all those places with the key in the "on" position with a test light at the block to make sure you have good current . Make sure all your connections are snug and tight . It would be a good idea to drop your headlight switch so you can test that too . Might be a problem there if you are using the original switch . Does your lights run through you high beam switch on the floor ? Check that one as well .
    Also make sure you have a good test light to use .

    Now if you have a test light with just a point on the end and you don't want to keep sticking your fingers , take a cloths-pin , the ones you squeeze to open , drill a hole on one side only for the test light to go through and use the cloths-pin to clip onto the wire then stick your test light onto the hole to test your wire . You will never get stuck again !

    Jim
     
  5. red baron
    Joined: Jun 2, 2007
    Posts: 596

    red baron
    Member
    from o'side

    I have a powered test light that makes trouble shooting a breeze, but any test light will help out wonders. Sounds to me like a faulty brake light switch, or maybe a headlight switch. Dont forget to check the grounds though!
     
  6. LostHope
    Joined: Jul 9, 2008
    Posts: 688

    LostHope
    Member

    had a problem with my 54 where id have brake lights then no brake lights,turn signals with brake lights then brakes but then no turn signals checked grounds in brake light buckets did every possible thingi could think of tracing wires and all,then pulled steering wheel and cleaned turn signal switch contacts and everything has worked since...just a thought
     
  7. old lady's mad
    Joined: Mar 18, 2007
    Posts: 169

    old lady's mad
    Member

    just something to try. try working your turn sigs a bunch. if it helps then thats where your prob. is
     

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