lighting help
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 1,661
From: Summerville SC
lighting help
I think I used to know how to do this but I am not so sure anymore! I have a 78 with 4 taillights. 4 light up as parking lights, one each side for signal and one each side for stop lights. I understand how an 1157 bulb works with 2 filaments. But I have also had vehicles ( big trucks) with ONE light on each side where the 1157 bulb handles all of the requirements. Is there a way I can get 2 each side for signal and 2 each side for stop lights along with the marker lights. The wiring is all apart right now as I am replacing the bumper so any wiring will be easily done. I just want to know before I put it all back together. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,068
Likes: 7,678
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Someone has already been in there playing around. Factory wiring has brake light power going through the turn signal switch.
Also, your car came with 2 tail lights and 2 back up lights. Not 4 tail lights. Sooooo, first, undo the previous work. Then delete the back up lights and add 2 tail lights.
Also, your car came with 2 tail lights and 2 back up lights. Not 4 tail lights. Sooooo, first, undo the previous work. Then delete the back up lights and add 2 tail lights.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 1,294
From: Fleming Island, FL
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 1,661
From: Summerville SC
OK, I left out stuff.. a simple case of oldtimers disease. I already pulled out the back up lights, got rid of them and have 4 taillights, 4 red lenses. I actually got a set of 4 nice LED lights used from a forum member a long time ago and they have been sitting with all the other stuff on a shelf. Nothing going on with the side marker lights, they will stay as is. I meant to say parking lights. I pulled the old lights out a long time ago and actually never gave it a thought until you guys just brought it up. The back up lights were just that, back ups. I got it now. For some reason I forgot that the signal for the STOP and SIGNAL came thru the same wire. Right now I am fitting up a fiberglass bumper so I am trying to get everything mocked up before I put it on the car. This could be a sign that it's time to walk away and do something else for a week or so. Thanks for making this simple.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,803
Likes: 4,421
From: Virginia
You can do this, if you run a separate brake signal wire back from under the dash.
I just run 4 brake lights, though, and have separate backup lights under the bumper. My car is invisible enough as it is. Extra brake lights help.
I just run 4 brake lights, though, and have separate backup lights under the bumper. My car is invisible enough as it is. Extra brake lights help.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 1,661
From: Summerville SC
That is my plan. Extra lights can only help. I actually got a license plate frame with an LED light at the top of it for backup lighting. After the last post I went out and checked and I already have the wires run correctly with jumpers going from one light to the one next to it. I had done it so long ago that I forgot I did it and now that I am finally getting ready to put it together. Like I said, time to go to another side of the car and work on something else for awhile. Thx.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,068
Likes: 7,678
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Sounds like you have it all figured out. All good.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 487
From: NJ
OK, I left out stuff.. a simple case of oldtimers disease. I already pulled out the back up lights, got rid of them and have 4 taillights, 4 red lenses. I actually got a set of 4 nice LED lights used from a forum member a long time ago and they have been sitting with all the other stuff on a shelf. Nothing going on with the side marker lights, they will stay as is. I meant to say parking lights. I pulled the old lights out a long time ago and actually never gave it a thought until you guys just brought it up. The back up lights were just that, back ups. I got it now. For some reason I forgot that the signal for the STOP and SIGNAL came thru the same wire. Right now I am fitting up a fiberglass bumper so I am trying to get everything mocked up before I put it on the car. This could be a sign that it's time to walk away and do something else for a week or so. Thanks for making this simple.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 1,661
From: Summerville SC
Yes I know about the LEDs and all of my signal/perking lights have been switched to LEDs and my Ron Francis 24/7 wiring harness came with an LED flasher. I think I have it all covered but after my brain fart yesterday who knows? And thank you for taking the time to contribute.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1,165
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
This is how I dealt with it. No mods to the bumper cover,, just wiring updates.
They are super bright.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-modified.html
They are super bright.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-modified.html
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 1,661
From: Summerville SC
I saw that one, thank you. I already had the lights, all red with no clear centers since I wanted 4 stop/taillights. And I had the wiring done with a custom harness, just forgot that I had been there since it was long ago on this very L O N G project. I actually did the wiring layout when I got the lights a few years ago. Got it all thogether but thanks for the suggestions. 
