Author Topic: tail lights  (Read 1004 times)

Offline Chopz

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tail lights
« on: November 11, 2011 - 07:03:55 PM »
I have a 73 Barracuda with all new wiring.  One of my lights stays bright all the time like I have the brake on and it doesn't ever go off.  It's not the bulb.  I also checked the ground and it seemed okay as well.  Any ideas?  Thanks.   




Offline brads70

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2011 - 07:13:59 PM »
I have a 73 Barracuda with all new wiring.  One of my lights stays bright all the time like I have the brake on and it doesn't ever go off.  It's not the bulb.  I also checked the ground and it seemed okay as well.  Any ideas?  Thanks.   

Do you have the corect bulb in that particular socket? Compare it to the ones that don't stay lit?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Jamiez

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2011 - 07:29:35 PM »
By on all the time do you mean it's on even when the headlights/parking lights are off and your foot isn't on the brake?

The lights all chain off each other (driver to passenger) so it doesn't make sense that one would be lit and not the other, if the are wired correctly.  I would check the contacts at the bottom of the sockets using an ohm meter.  There should be 2 connectors at the bottom of each socket, one is for the headlights/parking the other is for brake.  If wired correctly there should be almost no resistance between the same contact in the driver and passenger socket.

Offline LAA66

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2011 - 07:32:07 PM »
 Possibly the brake wire is touching the running light wire in the socket or another hot wire somewhere else up the line.

Offline Chopz

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2011 - 05:55:07 PM »
I Will check the ohms and if it is touching.  It is possible that something isn't hooked up right.  I am learning how to do everything step by step with his car.  The light just never dims.  Its not on all the time.  When I turn the lights on, the driver side tail light just stays bright, like the brakes are on.  Even if the brake is not being applied.  Thank you for the replies. 

Offline brads70

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2011 - 06:12:46 PM »
I Will check the ohms and if it is touching.  It is possible that something isn't hooked up right.  I am learning how to do everything step by step with his car.  The light just never dims.  Its not on all the time.  When I turn the lights on, the driver side tail light just stays bright, like the brakes are on.  Even if the brake is not being applied.  Thank you for the replies.

Double check the bulb type, mine did that too and the previous owner had the wrong bulb in 2 places.
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Chopz

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2011 - 06:44:26 PM »
Will do.  thanks


Offline Chopz

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2011 - 07:08:00 PM »
apparently the wires were backwards in the socket.  easy fix!  Thank you much.  :)  next task 

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2011 - 10:58:49 AM »
apparently the wires were backwards in the socket.  easy fix!  Thank you much.  :)  next task

Did you get the wiring harness from Evans, did you?  I have found the same thing in their harnesses a couple of times. 70 Challenger, 4 tailights, one has the wires reversed in it's soocket.
Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0


Offline Chopz

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Re: tail lights
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2011 - 04:51:37 PM »
It think it came from Painless wiring.  All the wiring in the car is new.