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#1
11-20-2023, 06:35 AM
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1966 GTO Taillights - why do they work out of car?
Hi all. I've had an issue start up recently where I have a 1-2V drop upon application of brakes (then bounces back) or wild 1-2V voltage fluctuation with turn signal application:
I pulled all taillights, cleaned the sockets and then reinstalled with some dialectric grease to keep things in nice shape. For grins I pulled the headlight switch and can get some of the lights to come on OUT of the car just sitting on the trunk panel. This doesn't make any sense as they should only ground/complete the circuit once installed into the taillight housings, correct? There are no additional/aftermarket grounds on these so no reason I can see why they are working unless there is something making incorrect grounding in the remainder of the harness. Last edited by NatW_RI; 11-20-2023 at 06:43 AM. |
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#2
11-20-2023, 09:00 AM
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Quote:
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#3
11-20-2023, 11:06 AM
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It's probably normal. The tail light lamps are 2 circuit, so the ground needed for it to light up comes thru the other filiament which is connected to front marker lights which then are grounded.
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#4
11-20-2023, 11:46 AM
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X2.
__________________
Ed 1968 GTO (Thanks Mom) 2006 Silverado 2007 Cadillac SRX 2015 Chevy Express  
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#5
11-20-2023, 01:12 PM
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The lights are chassis ground. Ground path is through the socket. They could work if touching the body.
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#6
11-21-2023, 06:43 AM
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1) 242177P - whoops - bad wording, I cleaned the sockets and then reinstalled the bulbs with dialectric grease, not the sockets
2) GoGoat/OG68 - I kinda get it. Since both elements of a bulb (front and rear) are tied to ground the 12V will find a way to ground as long as 1 bulb is tied to ground somewhere. I guess the socket/housing local ground is there as best practice? I guess I can break out the multimeter and check everything to get the situation un-confused in my head. 3) JSchmitz - exactly, I made sure the bulbs were not touching metal during this as I knew that's complete the circuit and mess up my test. Thanks. |
| The Following User Says Thank You to NatW_RI For This Useful Post: | ||
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#7
11-21-2023, 04:03 PM
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GoGoat nailed it!
__________________
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity". 1966 GTO Post Coupe, 467ci. N/A Pump gas, best 1/4 11.6 118mph 1966 GTO Post Coupe, "The Bright Idea" 535ci. N/A Pump gas, best 1/4 9.58 141mph |
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#8
11-21-2023, 04:18 PM
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Quote:
Maybe one lamp uses the local ground and another runs a ground wire? |
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