Replacing Left Tail Light Assembly

[dgboswell]

On my 1930 Model A Coupe, I need to replace the left tail light assembly. The only ones I can find in any of the parts houses only show two wire leads coming out of the back side. My original tail light has threes, one of which I assume connects to brake light. How do I account for the difference?

 

[Joe K]

You're populating the "hot rod" parts houses? Yunno, the ones that sell a "nice" tail-light you might use in pairs on the back of your hot-rod?

Go to Snyders or any of the Model A houses - and buy a better quality likely a bit more expensive ACTUAL Model A Taillight.

In 1930 your original may or may not have been made in stainless, but stainless is forever.

Joe K

 

[dgboswell]

I'm only replacing the left tail light because the tail light (not brake light) socket has to be replaced. My question is about the wiring. All the "new" stuff shows two wire leads out. Original has three. I've purchased a replacement socket but it won't work in my setup. I'm cornfused!

 

[The Master Cylinder]

Could the third wire be a ground. Far as I know, Model A tail lights only had two wires.

 

[dgboswell]

Possibly

 

[Bob C]

Is one of your sockets for a dual contact bulb. Somebody may have converted for turn signals.

 

[dgboswell]

Yes, one bulb does have dual contacts and it did come with broken turn signals

 

[gdmn852]

Hello, the original wiring is only 2 wires ,stop and running light. Most likely the top was converted to turn signals with a double filament bulb.You can replace the lower contact with a double filament contact ,may take some file work and fitting to get base contact to line up correctly. Mine has been done this way.

 

[rotorwrench]

They make ones that are somewhat original and some that are all LED. The originals had two bulbs with one wire for each. The brake light bulb was a higher candle power. Some modern types have the dual filament socket with two wires. It basically depends on what the last guy to work on it did, whether he replaced it or restored it and what he used in the process.

Some of the LED stuff requires a resitor to work correctly. LEDs are easier on the old generator so lots of folks go that route. Turn signals generally work through the brake light but some may opt for a seperate bulb. The Duo Lamp type tee cup lights were used on trucks well into the V8 era so some vendors stock stuff to go 12-volts plus all the signal stuff that's available.

 

[Benson]

If fenders are or were fiberglass at one time, the third wire could be for the ground.

With steel fenders the ground is supplied by the bracket and fender from quarter panel bolts and etc.

 

[Big hammer]

For trouble shooting the model A electric systems go to a automotive parts store and purchase a test light, one that looks like a pencil, their made for 12 volts but works on 6 volts, it’s my first go to tool for checking !

 

[Bob Bidonde]

This should help you understand the wiring.