I need help- no tailights on a 1947 Ford

Chris

Chris

Well-known member
I am going to start off with this- I am not very good with wiring. I mean, I know the basics and have wired a couple cars with a stock replacement harness, but sometimes I have a problem come up and I scratch my head. This is one of those times.

I'm working on my 1947 Ford 1/2 ton pickup. I have been driving it for about a month with no problems, but over the weekend the tail lights quite working. I thought it was the switch, I put a spare on, no difference. I checked all connections under the hood and under the truck, they are all nice and tight (most wiring is new). I took the original headlight switch apart and cleaned it, still no luck. My question is, could the circuit breaker have any effect on this problem? I know it sounds really easy, but like I mentioned, I just do not do a lot in wiring.

Thanks all!!
 
You will have no luck with wiring without a voltage tester. You need to see if the tag on the light switch that feeds the rear lights has 12V (I'll say 12V for simplicity, read it as 6V if you are on 6V) coming off it. You then need to be able to tell if the wire that runs to the rear is carrying that 12V all the way to the light socket, and tee-ing it off to the other side.

If you think the switch may be faulty, try hooking the rear light wire temporarily to the front side light tab on the switch.

But get some sort of tester, one that will read volts and also test for continuity is probably best.

Mart.
 
My l950 car has a 14 amp.fuse on the circuit breaker block. It also has the dash lighting on it also. Don't know about a '47?
 
Even easier than a meter is a simple test light. Got to be sure it has the same voltage bulb in it as your system. Then just start at one end of the circuit and test along until you find the break.
 
Thanks guys, I plan on doing a little tracing after work. They worked before, so I know they will work again LOL!
 
Most automotive DC problems are the result of a bad ground. If you have power but no lights check your grounds.
 
Pretty sure it is a grounding problem. Run a separate ground wire from light to frame on each side. If the tail light housings are original they can lose ground between the housing and the bulb socket. Wrap a wire around the bulb socket and attach to frame then check voltage on pins.
 
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