Tail Lights Brake Light Rear Turn Signals

I have a 1957 CJ5. Lights all work, however when I turn head lights on, since only 1 bulb in rear lights there are no brake lights or turn signals with light on. With lights off everything works fine. Is this how these came from the factory? Thanks

 

No, not factory.

On a jeep that age, many times a dirty/corroded lamp socket, or housing, will not ground properly. But with the dual-filament tail bulbs (and dual headlamp filaments) a brake light (for example) will find an alternative ground through the tailight circuit, or visa-versa, etc. All kinds of weird lighting stuff happens then.

Possibly in your case when you energize the headlights it cancels that electrical by-pass.

First step - Thoroughly clean all the bulbs, contacts, sockets, and the taillight housings-to-body to make excellent electrical connections. I would include the small front running lights.

 

Welcome from Michigan, I had problems with lights on my 64, turn signals and brake lights, found the problem was in the cluster by the heater on the fire wall under the hood. The turn signal is all bullet plugs, I unplugged them and cleaned them both male and female, all is good now, Just a thought. Good luck

 

The tail lights could be wired to where the front parking lights are wired to on the headlight switch. Originally, the front parking lights turned off when the the headlights were turned on. Check that.

 

I think the issue is I have single filament tail bulbs. I only have two wires going to new tail lights. Can I just change the bulb? Or does the socket need to change? Or the complete fixture? Thanks.

 

The sockets for a single element bulb and a dual element bulb are not the same, so you can't just change the bulbs. There should be two wires going to each tail light, and each tail light should have two posts for the dual element bulb.

 

The wiring issue about parking lites turn off when headlights come on is at the wire junction block which is on the drivers passenger fender. But unless you see extra non factory looking wires it’s probably not that.

 

But the replacement lights I bought and see only have 2 wires. They called “Hall Style” lights. Where can I get dual filament lights? Thanks

 

This is the style of tail light that I installed. Thanks.

 

The two wires in the light is for brake/turn lights (most likely red wire) and the other wire is for tail/park lamps. The light grounds through the mounting studs. Sounds like it may be wired incorrectly. I have seen where a single element bulb could be forced in where the dual element bulb should be installed. That type of light requires a dual element bulb #1157 iirc.

 

This.

Essentially the same problem as my post #2.

 

Ok. Thanks. I will switch the wires on both sides.

 

The brighter brake light filaments also serve as the turn signals, so each has its own wire circuit.

The 1157 dim filaments are the running lights, and are linked in series on the same wire

 

Your auto parts stores will carry the dual filament bayonet bulbs.

 

Those new tail lights should have came with dual element bulbs, and I would be surprised it they didn't.

If you wire them backwards when the tail light is on the bright element is lit, and when the turn signal or brake light is on the dim element will also be lit but won't be as noticeable due to the brighter element drowning it out. Try switching the wires before you start making other changes.

 

If these are new, you probably have the same issue I did. Pull the lense and the bulb. Look at the inside of the socket. Mine was painted black when the idiots made them in China. The ground is the brass socket itself. Sand, scrape, whatever so the bulb can ground.

 

yep I agree with others
one wire is running light
one wire is brake/turn light

 

They were wired backwards. Thank for the help.