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Old 06-23-2009, 10:51 PM   #1
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Profile:  1972 31' Sovereign
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Weird Tail Light Problem

Discovered this problem tonight after repairing my right tail light (this problem effects both sides, so I know my repair didn't have anything to do with this newly discovered problem).

Both turn signals and brake lights work just fine without the running lights in the on position. However, when the running lights are on and you apply the brakes or one of the turn signals, you can see a very faint difference in brightness for both lights. To me it seems like the tails lights are at their full brightness when the running lights are on, thus the very slight difference when the brakes or turn signals are applied. Wierd problem, eh?

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Old 06-23-2009, 11:31 PM   #2
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Bad ground somewhere!
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Old 06-23-2009, 11:38 PM   #3
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Bad ground somewhere!
Hmmmm! Thanks, Dallas. Can a bad ground on a running light cause this problem? I messed up the ground on one of my Peterson LED running lights tonight.
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Old 06-23-2009, 11:45 PM   #4
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It would just for that light. I think if it's something where it changes based on the brake/turn light being on or off, the problem is with the brake/turn light ground since that is the common point.
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Old 06-23-2009, 11:58 PM   #5
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Hi, a bad ground would cause either a feed back or dim lights. Since you stated that the tail lights are at full brightness, I would say that you have both lights wired backwards. In other words, you have your tail lights wired to the brightest filiment of the bulbs and your brake and turn lights wired to the dimmer filiment.
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Old 06-24-2009, 12:09 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, a bad ground would cause either a feed back or dim lights. Since you stated that the tail lights are at full brightness, I would say that you have both lights wired backwards. In other words, you have your tail lights wired to the brightest filiment of the bulbs and your brake and turn lights wired to the dimmer filiment.
Interesting. That is possible. The wires for my new socket were both black. I'll reverse those as see what happens. Thanks...
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Old 06-24-2009, 12:15 AM   #7
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Mike,

We'll be adding the new LED tail/backup lights too. Hopefully your issue my help us avert any problem for us. That is if it was a grounded or backward wiring issue.

Thanks, your new "friend",

Mary

p.s. I left you a profile comment & sent you a PM too. Check them out.
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Old 06-24-2009, 08:13 AM   #8
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Arvada , Colorado
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Mike,

We'll be adding the new LED tail/backup lights too. Hopefully your issue my help us avert any problem for us. That is if it was a grounded or backward wiring issue.

Thanks, your new "friend",

Mary

p.s. I left you a profile comment & sent you a PM too. Check them out.
I installed LED's on my 71 GT. You should not encounter any wiring problems with them as the posts are clearly marked. Do buy the 90 degree or right angle pigtail as there is not enough room for the straight style.
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Old 06-24-2009, 10:36 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, a bad ground would cause either a feed back or dim lights. Since you stated that the tail lights are at full brightness, I would say that you have both lights wired backwards. In other words, you have your tail lights wired to the brightest filiment of the bulbs and your brake and turn lights wired to the dimmer filiment.
Well ROBERTSUNRUS was right!! The wires were wired backwards. The weird thing is that the previous owner who "fixed" the left tail light years ago wired it backwards, too!!! Anyhow, the right tail light works great and looks great (just got my new lenses).
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Eddie - 2003 Ford Excursion (6.0L PSD)
Prodigy Brake Controller / Equal-i-zer Hitch / Honda EU2000i x2
Airstream Life Contributor
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My Refurb Blog: UPDATED!!
http://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
Part wanted: 70s Kitchen Counter Unit
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