1960 electrical problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 240
Likes: 4
From: Mendon MA
1960 electrical problem
Guys,
I'm having a problem with my 1960 electrical system. When I put the lights on, the rear tail lights and the licence place lights don't come on. The rear tail lights work when I put the signal lights on or the brakes on. I replaced the fuses, but no luck. Any ideas?
thanks in advance,
Jim
I'm having a problem with my 1960 electrical system. When I put the lights on, the rear tail lights and the licence place lights don't come on. The rear tail lights work when I put the signal lights on or the brakes on. I replaced the fuses, but no luck. Any ideas?
thanks in advance,
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 48
From: Lake Saint Louis Mo
I had a similar problem with mine with signal flasher from Vette vendor.
I replaced it with one from NAPA and problem solved.
If that doesn't fix it I would look at the light switch.
Larry
I replaced it with one from NAPA and problem solved.
If that doesn't fix it I would look at the light switch.
Larry
Last edited by Larry P; Aug 8, 2011 at 08:08 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Do your dash lights work? Dash lights and tailights are both supplied by the same wire that runs into the headlight switch. Dash lights and taillights should both be on when the switch is in park or head light position.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,141
Army
The symptoms you describe involve two separate circuits...see the brown circle on the right in the diagram and note the two red arrows. The bottommost arrow shows the taillight-to-headlight switch feed and the uppermost arrow shows the brakelight/directional signal feed. This should tell you which one to troubleshoot. If you take the headlight connector off and jumper 12V to the black wire shown the taillights should light. If they DO then something from the switch forward is bad...if they DO NOT then something in the circuit from the black wire rearward is the problem.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Colorado
Sometimes a grounding problem will cause strange lighting occurrences. Without a good ground, the circuit will in some instances ground itself back through the light bulb. So if this problem just started without any other changes, you might check to make sure the problem lights still have good grounds.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,141
Army
It never hurts to check the grounds; however if the brake/directional bulb filaments work (as noted) the ground is good and the regular taillight filaments share the same ground (per the wiring diagram AND physical inspection of the circuit).
The OP's problem is on the power side...
The OP's problem is on the power side...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 240
Likes: 4
From: Mendon MA
1960 Electrical
Folks,
As usual, your the greatest!!! To start, I ordered a new headlamp switch and a new flasher. The light switch is original and looks it!! I should confess that the wiring is all original (I know I need to replace). I'll install these this week and use your advice to start the troubleshooting,
thanks again.
Jim
As usual, your the greatest!!! To start, I ordered a new headlamp switch and a new flasher. The light switch is original and looks it!! I should confess that the wiring is all original (I know I need to replace). I'll install these this week and use your advice to start the troubleshooting,
thanks again.
Jim
