Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
Baffling Brake Light Issue - Driver's Side
-- page:
1
2
3
|
|
len47merc |
06-21-2016 @ 5:20 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1165
Joined: Oct 2013
|
No turn signals cliftford - only tail lights and brake lights (and license plate/trunk handle light). Tail lights (both sides), trunk handle/license plate light and passenger side plate brake light always work, again even when the driver's side brake light is not functioning. Still stumped. Steve
This message was edited by len47merc on 6-21-16 @ 7:00 AM
|
cliftford |
06-21-2016 @ 5:16 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 845
Joined: Jan 2014
|
By any chance do you have turn signals with the stop light circuit runnung through them? When the left stop light fails, is it still getting power? Just some thoughts.
|
len47merc |
06-21-2016 @ 4:26 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1165
Joined: Oct 2013
|
Thanks Alan. I indirectly referred to the ground when stating the taillight - not the brake light - which is the same bulb, same socket, same side - always is working even when the brake light is not. That is what is baffling to me - if it were a ground issue would not the tail light also be affected? Something must be so obvious here that I am looking right past it. To address your suggestion Alan, when bringing the '47 back after its Rumpelstiltskin slumber I took advice from this Forum (likely yours and Tom's but can't remember for sure) and went through all ground points including completely removing all light fixtures, cleaning and baring the metal and reassembling then sealing the exposed metal, this before starting the car. I was also naive and inexperienced with Rouge class judging and got a bit anal at the time about ensuring originality prior to the first Rouge class judging and did not add any non-original dedicated ground wires but did also clean and bare the metal and corresponding 3 bolts on each fender-to-body connection. Have never had a ground issue since that time. Just can't get past the tail light working without fail while the brake light is exhibiting intermittent functionality. Intuitively I FEEL like something is going on with the tail light socket wire (believe it is part#29A-13410-LS) terminal for the brake light side but I can't find it. Help my stubborn ole' mind get over this and understand logically how this can be a ground issue when the mating tail light element in the same bulb always works. I need to grasp that concept so I can let go of the socket and socket wire that is burning in my brain. Still baffled in NC...
Steve
|
ford38v8 |
06-20-2016 @ 8:01 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 2739
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Steve, You've not mentioned the ground connection even once! Your monkeying with it at home apparently is enough to firm up the ground, but on the road, vibrations break that important connection. Ford used the body and fenders to complete the circuit, which was just fine for the first 20 or 30 years, but 69 years is pushing the envelope! Run a dedicated ground from the light bucket to a known good ground. The fender just doesn't cut it. Same goes for the headlights!
Alan
|
len47merc |
06-20-2016 @ 5:53 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1165
Joined: Oct 2013
|
For such a simple receptacle, the driver's side brake light (only - taillight works fine without fail) on my '47 is routinely not producing light only after leaving on a drive. Have sanded and polished all contacts and even switched rear light bulbs side-to-side with no success. I disassemble the light, re-seat the fiber insulating plate holding the two spring loaded button head contacts for the light, reassemble the light and BINGO - it works every time. Put the light/lens back together, check it before a drive, it works, so out on the road I go. Within 10-15 minutes invariably someone is up beside me at a stop telling me the driver's side brake light is out. Crap. Finish the drive, back home, disassemble the light, reassemble - same results - light now works. Out on the road next trip it's out again and the cycle has continued like this for the last several outings. I have even just removed and reinstalled the light bulb and the brake light begins to work immediately but again it's out after 10-15 minutes on the road the next drive. Clearly I'm losing my mind on this one as I've continued to do the same thing and expect a different result - recipe for failure. The taillight is never affected - it always works with consistent brightness. When the brake light is working it exhibits consistent brightness as well. Upon returning to the house with the brake light not working the taillight is always on and working. Once removing the light Fluke multi-meter continuity tests reveal no short or disconnect. Gremlins. Any thoughts, recommendations and/or experience on this is GREATLY appreciated.
Steve
|