Halogen tail lights

insomniacshotrods

insomniacshotrods

Senior Member
1929 tudor - 6 volt pos ground system - alternator :::: I went to a show a month ago, heading into town with my park lights on. It was dark after leaving and I noticed i had no tail lights, just license plate light was on. Bulbs looked good ,but test light said I had voltage , so I put in new bulbs and fixed the problem. I was looking the other night and I have burnt out another one. I put in 10 watt bulbs to be seen better. Are halogen bulbs less likely to burn out? Lot of money for a bulb. We have popped bulbs on our motorized bikes by going fast and magneto but out too much for the bulb. Crossed my mind in this case,but only one is blown this time. ??? Thanks
 
Sounds like nothing more than crap overseas bulbs to me. Try swap meets, ebay, berts in Denver for original bulbs, or at least old bulbs.
 
When you say you had no "tail lights", I assume you meant brake lights, because the license light is the tail light. I agree, with the information given, it sounds like poor quality bulbs.

You can also try LED bulbs.
 
I am a great believer in replacing the insides of original taillites with a vendor provided LED panel which has both running and brake lights with a much greater lighting intensity than incandescent bulbs, and do not burn out as far as I know. I, for one, went with red, top and bottom since, particularly with my THIRD BRAKE LIGHT being red, I figure the amber just gives fellow motorists another reason to be confused. I also have directionals since I found trying to get to the right lane on a parkway impossible with hand signals, and really easy with LED built-in turn signals.
Good luck with your decision.
 
Sorry I always call them tail lights. Running lights is correct term I'd guess. Not brake lights they work fine. Personally I don't like the look of the led tail lights . Sounds strange since I have a led third brake light. I put in 21 watt brake light bulbs and replaced the 3 watt running lights with the 10 watt ones from mikes. I might get a conversion led tail light and try it maybe it will grow on me. The old bulbs just have a glow look that I like. Thanks guys.
 
Another possibility is poor grounds. The lights will flicker with a poor ground which is similar to turning on and off several times which lessens bulb life. Heat is another factor in bulb life. By putting higher wattage bulbs in a confined space, the higher the heat in that space. LEDs are brighter and last many times longer than incandescent bulbs plus they require much less current. If you have turn signals in you tail lights, make sure the additional resistor is on the back of the LED board or you turn signals may not work as there is not enough current draw to make the flasher work properly.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
When you say you had no "tail lights", I assume you meant brake lights, because the license light is the tail light. I agree, with the information given, it sounds like poor quality bulbs.

You can also try LED bulbs.
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Crap sorry I forgot , previous owner put license plate light where spare used to be.
 
OK, so now the plot thickens:D
The license plate is where the spare used to be and it's lit up when the lights are on. It must also have a red taillight lens, or is there a special lamp for license only?

Do you have one taillight on the left, or a second one on the right?

If you have two, are they both out?

Does the taillight ever come on?

If it comes on, but goes out when the brakes are applied, that sounds like a bad ground for the light socket.
 
Lights all work as they should , when they should at least till they burn out.Ill replace the bulb again and see how long it last. Passenger side running light is still good. Thanks again.
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Forget about liking the glow of those old incandescent bulbs...the new LED's are far brighter and will be much more visible to others. To me, unless you have a show car, it also makes no sense to have only one rear tail light. Two, with LED's is far superior.
 
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