Tail light question

joltesvig

joltesvig

Senior Member
I just went out for a night time joy ride. Before I left, when checking to be sure all the lights were working, I noticed that the left tail light has light coming out of both the red and amber glass. The right tail light only has light coming from the red glass. Why wouldn't light come out of both red and amber sections of the right hand light? This leads me to another question. Why do Model As have a red and amber section? Why aren't they just red only? What's the amber section for? If I get around to taking the tail light apart, is there a separate bulb for red and amber? I know this is a stupid question but I'm a Model A rookie and everything is new to me here!
 
You have 2 bulbs in that light, one for tail (red) one for stop (amber)
Sounds like the deflector that separates the two bulbs may be broken or missing.
If the light looks 'dimmer' than the other side, it may be a ground problem with the light - and 'backfeeding' through the brakelight bulb, causing both bulbs to glow.
"Only stupid question is the one you never ask" :D
 
"Original" is red tail-light (running light), with amber brake light.
The left side should have a clear "window" below to illuminate the license plate.

I opted for all red lenses since I figure the amber/red combo is confusiong to other drivers, particularly since I have a red LED brake bar, so, say a right turn would have one red and one amber flashing.
 
The "dam" between the upper and lower bulbs in repro tail lights don't seal the light off as well as the originals. A quick fix is to use some metalic "duct" tape and seal the sections off from one another.
 
As a "newbie", a good way to learn is to get catalogs from the vendors (usually free), start at pg 1 and read to the end. A lot of questions can be answered just by looking/reading a parts catalog. JMO
Paul in CT
 
I risk being "offensive," but dumb or stupid questions are the ones asked BEFORE some initial investigation.:confused: BE CURIOUS, see if you can figger' it out. This is how we learn how crap works!!
Great reward to be able to say, "DANG!" I figured it out & fixed it myself!! Folks will think you're a "GENIUS!":D:D:D:D:D Bill W.
 
But Bill that would require getting a screwdriver and removing two screws to see how it works.

Bob
 
1931 flamingo said:
As a "newbie", a good way to learn is to get catalogs from the vendors (usually free), start at pg 1 and read to the end. A lot of questions can be answered just by looking/reading a parts catalog. JMO
Paul in CT
Click to expand...
I second that! As a "newbie" to the "A" I still read the catalog(s), they really do help answering a lot of questions. My wife thinks I'm nuts reading a parts catalog...but it is informative and makes for a great wishlist, just like the old days of the Sears catalogs and checking off what you wanted for Christmas. :)
 
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