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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: 67Cuda408 on March 26, 2009, 01:38:13 am

Title: Light problems
Post by: 67Cuda408 on March 26, 2009, 01:38:13 am
I am currently having a problem with the lights on my 80 c10 pickup. When i turn the headlights on the tail lights dont work but when i turn the headlights and the turn signals on then the taillights work? Same with the brake lights they only work with the turn signals on? The only possible problem i could come up with would be the turnsignal switch. Any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: dustystrucktoo on March 26, 2009, 04:46:05 am
Tell you what, I just got done with re securing my wiring after installing a power for a trailer brake power.  I had pulled a wire and disabled a back marker., then I lost one of my extra blinkers.  and ended up with having my right go on with my left blinker in the front..  I ended up disconnecting the whole back end and reconnected every wire.  and a couple of ground wires.
For me, I have yellow to driver side blinker and brake.  Brown is marker/ tail light.  Grey is Passenger side blinker and brake.  Light green is reverse..  I do also have a few black wires as extra grounds.  to the upper part of the frame.
If you didn't mess with any wires, I would go for the ground wires and make sure they are good.
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: Captkaos on March 26, 2009, 02:37:13 pm
Check your grounds.
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: Irish_Alley on March 28, 2009, 01:55:28 am
x3 for the grounds
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: 67Cuda408 on March 29, 2009, 12:53:25 am
Ive been checking the grounds and more lights are working then before but i still cant get the tailights to work and when the left turn signal is on the right is also. I cant find anymore grounds ive been over the truck like 4 times already any ideas of any i could have missed?
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: Irish_Alley on March 29, 2009, 01:14:29 am
that problem that you say now about the left turn signal turning on the right thats should be a ground problem. does any of your "tail" lights work by them self if not that might be in the switch.
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: 67Cuda408 on March 31, 2009, 12:25:17 am
Its a stepside so arent the turn signal and taillight bulbs grounded through the socket?
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: Irish_Alley on March 31, 2009, 02:19:03 pm
not really familiar w/ a step side but i would imagine that there is a ground wire comming off the socket and going to the taillight housing but you also need a good connection between the bulb and housing
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: ccz145a on March 31, 2009, 02:34:59 pm
.. and the housing to whatever it's bolted to.
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: GoatBeard on March 31, 2009, 03:06:08 pm
I don't know that it would matter in this situation, but make sure your ground strap is hooked up.  See picture:
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: VileZambonie on March 31, 2009, 07:04:45 pm
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/step.gif)

Direct link

click (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/step.gif)
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: 67Cuda408 on April 01, 2009, 12:11:59 am
I found the problem the right tail lights not grounding through the case. Ive tried taking the bracket off and hitting the connection points with a wire wheel and its still not grounding any suggestions?
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: dustystrucktoo on April 01, 2009, 12:21:58 am
If worse comes to worse...
I do believe that you can purchase wire by the foot and by rolls.  It might be time to rewire your truck lighting.  If you have a wire with a bare spot, it will mess with function.  Either that or get a new factory wiring.  Firewall to lights, you don't need to change the inside wiring.

Good luck.  I hope you get it straightened out.
Dark Green is your passenger side brake and blinker.  I have gray.
Title: Re: Light problems
Post by: VileZambonie on April 01, 2009, 04:55:54 am
I found the problem the right tail lights not grounding through the case. Ive tried taking the bracket off and hitting the connection points with a wire wheel and its still not grounding any suggestions?

Solder in a new common ground and run a ground wire to the frame. Tuck it in the harness or replace the lamp assembly.