southpaw - challenged tail light

[seismicfish]

Ok. So we bought a 69 Tradewind that has needed a lot of love and I am now having some great trouble with the left tail light. Right indicator and brake lights are working fine. I pulled out the unit on the left side and connected a known working bulb in a brand new socket to make sure the socket connections were not the issue. No light. I put a voltmeter to the hot wire and the chassis ground connection for that light and get oscillating 1-12 volts when the blinker is on (makes sense, right?) Bulb/connections -check, voltage-check. What the heck is wrong? Please help. I am scheduled to leave on our maiden voyage this Saturday morning and am losing what hair I have left over this. Thanks!

[Chatthayer]

Probably is a connection issue with socket or light base itself. Easy to assume that those are ok. Just a guess.

[seismicfish]

Unfortunately, yes that would be the obvious solution. As I said, I have tried it with a new bulb in a new socket that I know are good.

[TG Twinkie]

My guess is you have a bad connection. Which causes a voltage drop when the bulb is in the circuit. The meter has a high impedance and will read the voltage without causing the drop.
Check the connection between the UCord for that particular circuit. As well as the connections at the fixture. Does the tail light in the fixture light up? If so, you have a good ground/common connection.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by seismicfish

Unfortunately, yes that would be the obvious solution. As I said, I have tried it with a new bulb in a new socket that I know are good.

Is the bulb # 1034 or 1157?

Andy

[seismicfish]

Awesome. Thanks all for your help. This is a fantastic forum. I have been on a steep learning curve the last couple months. It was the U cord.

[TG Twinkie]

Glad to help.