Re: 54 Convertible Turn Signal Issues

Posted by HH56 On 2022/4/14 15:03:31

With tail lights only on are all 4 bulbs about the same brightness? If they are not fairly equal suspect some corrosion and a bad connection in a ground, wire terminal, or socket somewhere.

I don't see a mention of brake lights. With the headlight switch off so the tail lights are off, have someone push on the brakes so you can get a good look at the brake lights on both sides from a slight distance. As I recall, the brake/turnsigal bulbs are on the outside but confirm that by looking inside the trunk for the socket fed with two wires which is the brake and turnsignal bulb. The socket with a single wire is tail lights only. If you do have brake lights on both sides, are they they same brightness and much brighter than when only the tail lights are on? If no brake lights on both sides, that plus the turn signal issue would suspect a ground, bulb, or socket.

Are both sides using the same #1154 bulb for the brake and turnsignal bulb. The socket with a single wire for tail lights uses a #63 bulb. Also you might check the pins and sockets on the dual filament bulbs and make sure they are the same on both. I think the pins are offset with the dual filament bulbs but can't remember for sure. If the pins are offset is the same pin on the same side on both bulbs or near the same filament so both bulbs insert in the socket the same way. There were some inexpensive import bulbs several years back where the pins were a bit messed up. That coupled with worn sockets allowed the bulbs to slide in not keyed properly in the socket. Also, with worn sockets bulbs meant for another location or purpose with a different pin layout entirely could be inserted.

Poor contact in sockets and switch are known issues. For the socket, with the bulb out and looking directly inside the socket does the fiber plate with two contacts look flat and contacts appear to be at the same height. With the heavy spring pushing on the outer edges of the fiber plate from behind and the bulb pushing down in the center from the front condensed moisture can weaken the fiber plate and cause the plate to warp or kind of cup. This puts the contacts at a different level and often a contact does not make a good connection with the base of a bulb. Same with the switch if the fiber support plate there warps or corrosion in the switch is making a poor connection.