tail lights wiring

Discussion in '1947-1954' started by denisf, Nov 16, 2011.

  1. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
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    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
    Hello all been absent for awhile, got distracted by scuba and becoming an instructor.

    Now I am back to finish my bed restoration but am stuck on something very simple. I cannot get tail lights wiring figured out. I found two sets of wires under the bed. With the truck lights on three of the lines are hot. With the brake peddle depressed the fourth is hot. And my tail lights have two wires two bulbs, I took a battery and brought power to one wire and the other other terminal to the light case and the light lights, same thing going to the other wire.

    But when I bring just power no lights, I assume there is no ground. Is the ground normally just the physical connect to the truck bed and maybe the paint is preventing ground? Or I am I missing something more obvious?

    Thanks in advance, Denis
     
  2. ol' chebby

    ol' chebby Member

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    Dec 11, 2007
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Charlotte,NC
    The tail light grounds through the housing to the bed. You should have power on the tail light wire only when lights are on, then power on the brake light wire when the brake is depressed.

    Is this an origional harness or aftermarket?
     
  3. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
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    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
    Lights

    Thanks that is what I thought. Origional harness. Must be paint preventing ground.
     
  4. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
    lights now working

    Not sure what I did wrong the first time but wired it up and all is working. Denis
     

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