Brake Light Wiring
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Brake Light Wiring
I searched around, and didn't see this on any of the forums. I'm working on hooking up brake lights - and I really don't know anything about corvettes 
, I kind of inherited the project for a friend. I was given the pigtail connector and the bulb with an empty socket for the light. All of the lights work on the car (license plate, side lights, headlights, etc). For driver's side, I hooked up brown to brown, yellow to yellow. For passenger I did brown to brown, and yellow to green (which looks right according to the wiring diagram). However I get nothing. Not sure if I am doing this right - anyone have advice? There is also a green and black wire hanging down on the driver side. I have some pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerriwi...in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerriwi...in/photostream
Thanks!!!
, I kind of inherited the project for a friend. I was given the pigtail connector and the bulb with an empty socket for the light. All of the lights work on the car (license plate, side lights, headlights, etc). For driver's side, I hooked up brown to brown, yellow to yellow. For passenger I did brown to brown, and yellow to green (which looks right according to the wiring diagram). However I get nothing. Not sure if I am doing this right - anyone have advice? There is also a green and black wire hanging down on the driver side. I have some pics here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerriwi...in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerriwi...in/photostream
Thanks!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Snohomish Washington
Hey RedBill:
I think you might be missing a ground pigtail to the mounting stud on each tail light can. From looking at your pics, it looks like a recent replacement of the rear body panel with a hand laid up panel has been done. The tail light cans seem to be new and shiny and the mounting washers and nuts are also shiny. However I cannot see any ground wire(s) returning to the frame. I suspect that it (they) may have been left off after the repair.
On my 68 there is a simple pigtail wire that connects all 4 tail light cans to ground. I believe that a similar wire is missing on your vette. I attached a couple of pics of the underneath of my 68 to show you what it looks like as best as I could. It may also be a separate pigtail for each sides 2 lite cans, but I cant tell fully from the pics (I think that woul make the most sense). The pigtail(s) ground the cans to the frame and provide the return circuit for the tail light current. The Corvette fiberglass body panels don't conduct electricity, so a ground return to the frame of some kind is necessary.
Hope this helps.
P.S. Dont get the electrical wires confused with the fiber optic "wires" which are black...
I think you might be missing a ground pigtail to the mounting stud on each tail light can. From looking at your pics, it looks like a recent replacement of the rear body panel with a hand laid up panel has been done. The tail light cans seem to be new and shiny and the mounting washers and nuts are also shiny. However I cannot see any ground wire(s) returning to the frame. I suspect that it (they) may have been left off after the repair.
On my 68 there is a simple pigtail wire that connects all 4 tail light cans to ground. I believe that a similar wire is missing on your vette. I attached a couple of pics of the underneath of my 68 to show you what it looks like as best as I could. It may also be a separate pigtail for each sides 2 lite cans, but I cant tell fully from the pics (I think that woul make the most sense). The pigtail(s) ground the cans to the frame and provide the return circuit for the tail light current. The Corvette fiberglass body panels don't conduct electricity, so a ground return to the frame of some kind is necessary.
Hope this helps.
P.S. Dont get the electrical wires confused with the fiber optic "wires" which are black...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I have the AIM, but I don't remember seeing something for a ground wire. I'm sure it was operator error on my part
I had a hard time deciphering that thing. All I got from the previous person was a milk carton full of parts and the AIM, so I have no clue what he has/hasn't worked on. I think I'm in for a reeally long summer
Also, where in the world can I buy that wire?? I checked a bunch of sites, and they all have the pigtail connector that I already have, but not the wire?
Thanks!!
I had a hard time deciphering that thing. All I got from the previous person was a milk carton full of parts and the AIM, so I have no clue what he has/hasn't worked on. I think I'm in for a reeally long summer
Also, where in the world can I buy that wire?? I checked a bunch of sites, and they all have the pigtail connector that I already have, but not the wire?
Thanks!!
