Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello!

I recently got a 1955 Packard 400. Now since today I'm facing the problem that the side lights won't turn off even if the car is turned off and the lights switch is off too. I had to detach the battery in order to get them shut off for the night.

Any advice please? :)

They are not on circuits that the ignition key controls...so...

Id wonder where the short is.

Possibly one of the switches in the door frame?

Others will have better suggestions.

Have you worked on wiring or been in the wires for any reason that might help locate potential shorts?

Is it the bulb that goes on when the doors are open, or the bulb that goes on via the headlight switch?

There are two bulbs and two circuits in the sidelights. One bulb is fairly bright, the other dimmer. The dimmer bulb is on with the tail lights. If the tail lights are not on at the same time as the light that circuit is OK.

The brighter bulb is operated by door switches. There are plunger type switches at each door which provide a ground to the lamps. On earlier 55 400's there are two switches at each door. One operates the front courtesy light above the glovebox and the other switch operates the side light. On later cars there was only one switch at each door that operated both lights. The single switch had two terminals to maintain the separate circuits. If you have a single switch make sure someone didn't use an ordinary single terminal switch and tie the wires together.

If you've ruled out the taillight circuit bulb I would look at those switches. If you have two switches, I can't tell you which switch is which but you can find out by pushing the plungers to see which turns off the front lamp. You can use a small screwdriver under the other switch and pry it out of the hole in the doorjamb. Check that the wire hasn't come off and is grounding or the switch itself is not bad. If both door switches are removed and you still have the problem there is a short to ground somewhere in the wire loom going to the lamps.

G'day Vesiapina,
to PackardInfo. We have at least one other member from Finland, so you are not alone.

And, I invite you to include your '55 400 in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo!

Vesiapina for including your '55 Four Hundred Hardtop Coupe in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo!

Got the sidelights work, thanks. :)

And no problem, I'm happy to be part of the Packard community!

Now another question. Where can I get replacement power window switches for my Packard? The driver side contacts are really bad and are hardly working.

packards1@aol.com
Joel has the world market cornered on 55-56 Window Switches.

The Packard club has the yellow pages, and Joel advertises in it

http://www.packardclub.org

The club also has a for sale section to look at

And there is also EBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-Packard-Patrician-power-window-switches-/321083352207?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac20f248f&vxp=mtr

Thank you very much for your help!

I've been driving daily with my Packard, and I've loved every day. She's been working great and soon it's time to put her to a garage for the winter. The Packard is going to be painted soon.

Now my next question is if someone could show me a picture of a 1955 Packard 400 with the GE paint code. Ultramarine Blue and Moonstone White. I'd also love to see some interior pictures.

But I'm happy to say that even in it's current state I was able to get the Packard full of beautiful young women! Proof in attachment!

Jani

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