drdave69

A good friend of mine is rebuilding a 1971 convertible and we are having trouble with the tail lights. Where do the ground wires attach at the rear?

Sonny71

If I remember correctly you can attach the ground wire right by the license plate.

Alan 71

Hi d,
There are several.
There's a ground at one of the studs for each of the lights, a ground for the license plate lamp, and one for the harness itself.
Regards,
Alan

Tail and brake light studs:


License lamp:


Frame rail location for harness and antenna ground.

drdave69

Thanks a ton Alan. I was thinking that was how they needed to be routed but he had them screwed to the frame instead. I will let him know that they need to be attached to the housings. The antenna photo also helps since he still needs to install it.

0Willcox Corvette

This may help you figure out the issues too.

The tail lamps have a bad history of issues ranging from grounds to the actual socket the bulb plugs into. We always tell people that if they are testing the rear lamps socket for power use a known working ground first because the brass socket the bulb hooks into can corrode between itself and the metal housing it is pushed into. You can remove these by driving them out cleaning them and then re-install.

Willcox

drdave69

He re-wired them as suggested and told me that all is well. Thanks.

Alan 71

Hi drd,
Thanks for the update!
Does he realize that if ALL is well something is waiting just around the corner to bite him!?!
Regards,
Alan