Replacing Tail Lights

[equigley]

I have a 1971 Safari 23 foot with (cheap) retro-fit tail lights mounted over the original tail light housing.

To replace these retro lights, I purchased the canister type 1156 and 1157 light fixtures (originally used by Airstream from 1969-1974) which fit into the existing (original) tail light housing.

Before disconnecting the retro-fit lights I checked to see which filament in the 1157 bulb burned when applying the brakes and verified it was the bright filament.

When I removed the retro-fit light and installed the new 1157 canister, the dim filament burned. It's the same scenario when I checked the turn signal, retro burned bright, new canister burned dim.

What's the problem?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by equigley

I have a 1971 Safari 23 foot with (cheap) retro-fit tail lights mounted over the original tail light housing.

To replace these retro lights, I purchased the canister type 1156 and 1157 light fixtures (originally used by Airstream from 1969-1974) which fit into the existing (original) tail light housing.

Before disconnecting the retro-fit lights I checked to see which filament in the 1157 bulb burned when applying the brakes and verified it was the bright filament.

When I removed the retro-fit light and installed the new 1157 canister, the dim filament burned. It's the same scenario when I checked the turn signal, retro burned bright, new canister burned dim.

What's the problem?

Obviously, a bad ground is causing that issue for you.

Mahalo

Andy

[Lumatic]

Photos would help.

The first troubleshooting areas I would do, maybe you already have, is a poor ground or partial short.

[equigley]

Thanks all. You were correct, the problem was a poor ground. This project is back on track.

Thanks again.

[r.swanson]

tail lights wirening on a 1971 ambassador