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Tail Lights Brake Light Rear Turn Signals

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Island CJ5, Jan 1, 2022.

  1. Jan 1, 2022
    Island CJ5

    Island CJ5 New Member

    Thousand Islands
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    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
     
  2. Jan 1, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    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.
     
    Beach66Bum, dozerjim, Twin2 and 3 others like this.
  3. Jan 2, 2022
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    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
     
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  4. Jan 2, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    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.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2022
    Island CJ5

    Island CJ5 New Member

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    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.
     
  6. Jan 2, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    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.
     
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  7. Jan 2, 2022
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    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.
     
  8. Jan 2, 2022
    Island CJ5

    Island CJ5 New Member

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    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
     
  9. Jan 2, 2022
    Island CJ5

    Island CJ5 New Member

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    upload_2022-1-2_10-23-50.jpeg

    This is the style of tail light that I installed. Thanks.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    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.
     
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  11. Jan 2, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    This.

    Essentially the same problem as my post #2.
     
  12. Jan 2, 2022
    Island CJ5

    Island CJ5 New Member

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    Ok. Thanks. I will switch the wires on both sides.
     
  13. Jan 2, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    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
     
  14. Jan 2, 2022
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Your auto parts stores will carry the dual filament bayonet bulbs.
     
  15. Jan 2, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    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.
     
  16. Jan 2, 2022
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  17. Jan 2, 2022
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    yep I agree with others
    one wire is running light
    one wire is brake/turn light
     
  18. Jan 2, 2022
    Island CJ5

    Island CJ5 New Member

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    They were wired backwards. Thank for the help.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
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