Re: 54 Packard Pacific / Brakelighter third brake light / wiring

Posted by HH56 On 2021/4/28 13:39:18
The brake lights and turn signals use the same wire so you will not be able to run a single bulb third brake light by connecting to the wires in the trunk. Connecting to one side individually will light the third brake light but then the light will also flash with the turn signal from that side. Connecting to both sides at the same time would short the turn signal circuit and no flashing. Depending on the type bulb used, the extra resistance in the third light circuit could also affect the flashing if the car still has the old thermal type flasher.

You can use a single bulb light if you tap into the wire coming directly off the brake switch before it goes into the turn signal switch. That would be the green wire coming out of the brake light switch. Under the dash it would be the green wire at the round 6 pin (in 54) plug connecting to the turn signal switch. The connector is behind the dash bottom edge usually within about 6" from the steering column.

Another alternative is to use two bulbs, each wired to one side. That will duplicated the action of the brake lights with both bulbs on for brakes but during a turn one of the third bulbs would be on and the other would flash. In the trunk you would find the short brown and yellow wires that come out of the body loom. The same brown and yellow wires are also at the turn signal plug if you wanted to keep inside the car. The brown body loom wire connects to an inline connector near the left taillight and the loom continues across to the right where you would find the yellow wire. The wires may change colors at the connectors before going into the individual sockets.

If you can tolerate a bit of modern look, there is a fairly small commercial narrow strip LED third light some have used which could mount behind the rear window. Their light can work individually with one steady and one flashing side and can also be used without the flashing by connecting directly to the brake light switch wire.https://www.brakelighter.com You can download their instructions which gives an overview and various methods of wiring.

Here is a drawing of the brake and turn signal circuit.

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jpg  Turn Signal Extraction1.jpg (217.02 KB)
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