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one dim tail light 1965 coup

  • Thread starter Thread starter wwright33
  • Start date Start date Apr 1, 2007
W

wwright33

New Member
Apr 1, 2007
5
0
2
Apr 1, 2007
#1
  • Apr 1, 2007
  • #1
In my 1965 mustang I have one dim tail light when lights are on. Its the driver side. The bulb is good, The tail light is new, Anyone have any idea where to look.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Apr 1, 2007
#2
  • Apr 1, 2007
  • #2
sounds like a ground problem. have someone step on the brake pedal while the lights are on, and if the light goes out you have a ground problem.
 
A

ARTTII

New Member
Jan 13, 2004
272
2
0
Detroit, MI
Apr 1, 2007
#3
  • Apr 1, 2007
  • #3
Is the housing rusty? Or not as reflective as the "good" side? I was suprised with the difference when I replaced my housings... and painted them with a bright white for a quick fix

Is your lense a scratched/clouded up original? New reproductions do make a difference...

If the above don't apply or work, check the wiring with a dvm, and clean your grounds
 
W

wwright33

New Member
Apr 1, 2007
5
0
2
Apr 1, 2007
#4
  • Apr 1, 2007
  • #4
Actually its pretty weird. I learned today with the flashers on the right (passenger) is dim, with the headlights on no flasher at all on the right, with the brakes on the left is bright, the right is dim, with the lights on the left is dim and the right is bright.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
J

JamesW

Member
Jul 15, 2005
64
0
6
Central Texas
Apr 1, 2007
#5
  • Apr 1, 2007
  • #5
Tail Lamp problems

1) Take some steel wool and clean the contacts in both bulb sockets. Clean the sides of the socket so that it's bright.
2) Trace the wires in the tail light circuit that goes to ground. I think it goes to the brace at the fuel filler neck.
3) As said before, brighten up the bulb housing with some steel wool or even some high temp white or silver paint.
4) New lenses definately help.
5) Install a new flasher.
 

gunmetal5.0

New Member
May 10, 2006
144
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0
Chico, CA
Apr 1, 2007
#6
  • Apr 1, 2007
  • #6
I thought it was just winking at me.
 

Iamdiffrnt

Member
Nov 13, 2005
197
6
19
South of Detroit, MI
Apr 2, 2007
#7
  • Apr 2, 2007
  • #7
+1 with rbohm, sounds like a bad ground on that light.
 

Tim65GT

Active Member
Feb 24, 2004
1,149
2
39
West Texas
Apr 2, 2007
#8
  • Apr 2, 2007
  • #8
Did you try swapping bulbs?

Check voltage at the right tail light black wire to bare metal ground...It should have 12 v only when the lights are on.

Check voltage at the right tail light orange/blue wire to bare metal ground...It should have 12 v only when the Brakes are on.

By your description, it sounds like the black and orange/blue wires are reversed.

Has the socket, turn signal or hazard switch been changed?

I didn't know flashers were an option in '65.
 
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