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'64 with B/U lights - installing new Trim Parts tail light & B/U light assembly. Question re the outer / tail & stop light connection.
The light takes a 2 filament 1157 bulb, looking at the back of the light assembly into the short tube where the plastic wiring harness connector goes into there are 2 brass contacts.
Looking at the plastic connector that goes into the light assembly, there are also 2 brass contacts (with springs). The 2 little **** on the sides of the plastic connector are directly opposite each other - one is not off-set higher than the other like you often find on a 2 filament bulb. The slots in the brass sleeve on the light assembly are also cut directly opposite each other - no stagger.
My question is ----- does it make a difference which way the plastic connector goes in? It seems to me that there are two distinct circuits - one filament is energized or both are energized depending on what functions are activated (tail lights, stop lights, turn signal) - so therefore it should only go in a certain way - but it can be assembled either way. Does it make a difference? Am I overthinking this?
B/U light connector is not an issue - one brass contact, one circuit, goes in either way.
My ‘64 with BU lights has the required offset slots for an 1157 style bulb. Are you using aftermarket components? Perhaps there is a defect?
All of that said, does the socket for the bulb have the proper offsets? If so, install everything and then make sure the bright filament is on with the brake lights. If not, move the plastic connector 180 degrees.
The bulb is not the issue - the pins on the 1157 bulbs are off-set and they match the pattern of the socket. I am talking about the other side of the light assembly - the plastic connector that is part of - at the end of the wiring harness has 2 pins, one on each side, 180 degrees out - they are not off set, and neither is the slots in the socket the plastic connector goes into. But - there are 2 circuits in that light assembly - the bulb has 2 filaments - tail lights are one filament - stop lights are the other filament - so it seems to me that it would matter how you insert the plastic piece so the contacts on it align with the correct contacts on the end of the bulb. We are talking about new Trim Parts light assemblies here - I don't think they made a mistake in manufacturing.
AH! I figured it out - I just did a test fit. The pins on the plastic connector that is part of the wiring harness are not off set or staggered like the pins on some bulbs are. But - they are not exactly 180 degrees out from each other - more like 165 degrees at best (eye ball guess) - and so are the corresponding slots in the light assembly.
So..... it is impossible to get the plastic connector into and seated in the socket if it is not oriented correctly - it can only go in one way. The position of the pins and slots is subtle, on a casual look they look to be 180 out from each other - they are not.
BTW - I got a set of Trim Parts replacement lights from ZIP - they were the least expensive (from ZIP) --- I am blown away by the quality of the product - excellent fit and finish - my lights are original - the repros even came with the same bulb warning label on the back - same font and everything - the lenses are identical in every way. Not cheap but..... it feels good to get a repro part that is flawless.
Yeah, that's it - those two little pins - they are set back the same distance from the edge of the plastic housing - but off set just a bit around the circumference of the piece. Not easily noticed when connected to the car and you are trying to hold back the rubber accordion weather cover.
64 TAil Light Socket Connection
