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Hot Rods Tail light problems 48 Ford

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Vic Tocco, Nov 6, 2019.

  1. Vic Tocco
    Joined: Oct 23, 2019
    Posts: 6

    Vic Tocco

    Morning all. I have 48 Ford coupe. It's still 6 volt. Passenger side tail light. When only the tail light wire is connected with bulb installed power comes back thru the unplugged brake light wire of the tail light housing. Bulb won't light unless brake light wire is connected. Bulb only lights up on tail light side of bulb even when applying the brake.
     
  2. Phil P
    Joined: Jan 1, 2018
    Posts: 494

    Phil P
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sounds like the tail light housing has a bad or no ground.

    Phil
     
  3. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,867

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Look closely at the bulb - one filament possibly has dropped onto the other causing the feedback. It happens once in a while.
     
  4. inthweedz
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 581

    inthweedz
    Member

    Yep, what 302GMC said, had the same problem with an OT vehicle.. Stop tail bulb had a broken tail light fillament which had fallen across the brake light filament..
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.

  5. Rusty Heaps
    Joined: May 19, 2011
    Posts: 959

    Rusty Heaps
    Member

    Probably ground issues with tail light housing. 6 volts are really touchy with the grounds.I had a similar problem with the '50 Chevy, I installed a lead wire from my offending tail light housing for a ground to the body, works fine. You may see if you have rust causing it not to get a proper ground.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  6. morac41
    Joined: Jul 23, 2011
    Posts: 531

    morac41
    Member

    Bad Earth (ground)
     
  7. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,802

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    Had same issue with my '47 coupe. Bad ground.
     
  8. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 3,544

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    DC voltage runs in a circular motion in your auto + to - or -to+ depending on if you have pos or neg ground system . The current flows through the bulb and back to ground . If there is a bad ground or wires touching current goes to least resistance to return to the battery , this is where the term “ short circuit “ comes from . The current is not completing the designed path of flow through the bulb correctly it finding the easiest path to ground through the remaining element to ground . Damn . I hope this makes it easier to understand . Just get yourself a good clean ground and it will cure itself .
     

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