tail light issue

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May 2, 2013 | 08:11 PM

ngl

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 4

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tail light issue

on our 72, when the running lights are on, both tail lights work just fine but when the brake pedal is pressed, only the left side brake light comes on and the right side goes out completely. Also, when the running lights are not on, the right side brake light does work but is dimmer than the other.
i have a wire diagram, but some of the wire colors have been changed from factory or painted over, making it hard to distinguish between colors.

any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

May 2, 2013 | 08:34 PM

Peterbuilt

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 7,411

Likes: 1,550

From: mount holly NC

2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)

Most of the time it's a bad ground.

Make sure the bulb is good and installed correctly then test the buld socket.

May 2, 2013 | 10:10 PM

jnealg

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,018

Likes: 9

From: Winston Ga.

make sure the correct bulb is in there as well. Bubba did a repaint on mine and every single bulb in the car was wrong. I spent about $50 at the store buying just bulbs. all work nicely now though except REV which I need to crawl under and fix the switch.

May 2, 2013 | 10:16 PM

AzMotorhead

Limping across the line

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 5,295

Likes: 109

From: Peoria Az

Should be a 1157 bulb back there. Chances are the bulb is installed incorrectly.
The pins on the side of the bulb are offset but that doesn't mean they cant be installed wrong

May 2, 2013 | 11:08 PM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 8,918

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From: New Hill NC

Classic ground symptom.

May 3, 2013 | 12:19 AM

lionelhutz

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 11,150

Likes: 890

From: South Western Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

Classic ground symptom.

No ground on that socket.

May 3, 2013 | 08:29 AM

drwet

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 3,195

Likes: 632

From: Thunder Bay

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

Classic ground symptom.

Check your grounds. I have also replaced most of the sockets for the bulbs over the years. The contacts corrode with time and it seems that no amount of cleaning will make them work reliably.