Tail Light Issue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,829
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Great, more assistance from the peanut gallery. Sorry, mate, but you're not helping. What difference does it make how long ago the OP started the thread? I have a question that directly relates to something another member posted in this thread, and I decided to piggyback my question here. If Willcox wants to answer, great. If someone else comes along and wants to answer, great. If everyone who enters this thread wants to turn it into a wikiHow tutorial on the statute of limitations for old threads, not so great. Thanks again for all your help, mate.
Well stated 8/27/2021 @ 8:45 PM EST 
You all had better hurry up & add the silly comments now before this post gets too old & ages beyond it's worth of valuable information.
..............oh yeah, back to the original topic. Changing my turn signal switch fixed my no brake light WOES !!!
Last edited by 427SIXPACK; Aug 27, 2021 at 08:45 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,516
From: Virginia
I'm an old time member, I don't fully understand what's wrong with reading & replying to a thread of any age if it has good informative, useful info ? Then there are the other guys who say there are 3 million threads posted on this topic why don't you search & look them up ....... can't win either way, GEEEEEEZ !!!
If the OP wants to ask the Forum a question, starting a new thread will get the most attention, and likely the best responses.
If the OP wants to ask Willcox specifically, and the answer isn't already answered on the Forum, Willcox's website which contains excellent Tech Tips, or in one of Willcox's YouTube videos, a PM might be the best option. Or even calling/emailing Willcox Corvette directly.
Wiring diagrams are here:
http://wordpress.keystonestatecorvet...m/?page_id=118
Any reason not to replace the socket?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,996
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Hi Willcox,
Since you bent over backwards to try and help this gentleman with his problem, and since mine somewhat relates, I figured I'd hop in here instead of starting a new thread.
I have a 69 with a problem on the driver's side tail/brake light. Right side everything works fine as it should. Pulled left side lens and saw that the bulb was blown (like violently blown - blacks and blues inside the glass like tie-dye). Put in a new bulb and tested it and everything worked fine for a couple minutes - tail lamp fine, brake light fine, left blinker fine, left blinker with running and brake on fine.
Then I pressed the brake again (probably 5th or 6th time since putting the new bulb in two minutes prior) and no light from left side again. Took out the new bulb and it too had blown violently (inside of glass was now completely white, like the filament had exploded). I then looked into socket and the outer brass sleeve part does seem pretty corroded, but when looking up from under the car I can't really get my hand up there to try and get the taillamp housing out for cleaning/diagnosis. I stuck my continuity tester in the socket (battery disconnected) and it looks like the two positive pins on the spring loaded center portion are shorted to the brass grounded sleeve (or are they supposed to be grounded too, until you turn on lights or press the brake?)
I read that brass ground sleeve can be pressed out, cleaned, and pressed back in, but I'm not sure if that's the cure for my problem. Any advice or thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Since you bent over backwards to try and help this gentleman with his problem, and since mine somewhat relates, I figured I'd hop in here instead of starting a new thread.
I have a 69 with a problem on the driver's side tail/brake light. Right side everything works fine as it should. Pulled left side lens and saw that the bulb was blown (like violently blown - blacks and blues inside the glass like tie-dye). Put in a new bulb and tested it and everything worked fine for a couple minutes - tail lamp fine, brake light fine, left blinker fine, left blinker with running and brake on fine.
Then I pressed the brake again (probably 5th or 6th time since putting the new bulb in two minutes prior) and no light from left side again. Took out the new bulb and it too had blown violently (inside of glass was now completely white, like the filament had exploded). I then looked into socket and the outer brass sleeve part does seem pretty corroded, but when looking up from under the car I can't really get my hand up there to try and get the taillamp housing out for cleaning/diagnosis. I stuck my continuity tester in the socket (battery disconnected) and it looks like the two positive pins on the spring loaded center portion are shorted to the brass grounded sleeve (or are they supposed to be grounded too, until you turn on lights or press the brake?)
I read that brass ground sleeve can be pressed out, cleaned, and pressed back in, but I'm not sure if that's the cure for my problem. Any advice or thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Its a better idea to start a new thread after 7 years.
Its also a better idea for everyone involved not to get into a conflict over it, whether its a combative response for a reminder about posting to old threads or continuing a conflict that’s begun.
