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1968 Tail/Brake Light Ground

1968Cally

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Nov 16, 2017
Messages
328
I have a grounding problem with my tail/brake lights. The left side is dim. So, I found a good ground inside the trunk (bumper bolt) and when I attach a wire to it and run it to the outside of any one tailight socket, all three go to normal brightness. Can't find any other place to ground where they will get to normal brightness.

So, Iwent to pull out the tail light bucket to get to the back side of it and I can't get it out. I made a tiny hook out of a coat hanger to pull them out by the screw holes, but all I get is a little wiggle. Is it possible dum dum is holding them in or am I missing something in what it takes to get them out?

Thanks.

Dave
 

robert campbell

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Apr 10, 2007
Messages
4,321
Dave,
Are you referring to the tail light sockets? The ground for the taillights is attached to the frame work that surrounds the gas filler pipe inside the trunk. It is on the right side of this frame work about 6 inches down from the trunk opening lip.

These cars are notorious for poor grounds to the tail lights. On my car I removed the entire panel to get to the taillight sockets themselves. I replaced all six sockets with new ones and solder a ground wire to each socket on the outside to ensure perfect grounding.

Find the ground and clean it up and you may get lucky!

Rob
 

Mosesatm

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Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,009
Dave,
Please post a photo of what you're trying to remove.

Thanks
 
OP
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1968Cally

1968Cally

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Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
328
Dave,
Please post a photo of what you're trying to remove.

Thanks
The tail light housing assembly. I figured I would need to get to the backside of it to re-engineer the ground. See attached.
 

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1968Cally

1968Cally

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
328
Dave,
Are you referring to the tail light sockets? The ground for the taillights is attached to the frame work that surrounds the gas filler pipe inside the trunk. It is on the right side of this frame work about 6 inches down from the trunk opening lip.

These cars are notorious for poor grounds to the tail lights. On my car I removed the entire panel to get to the taillight sockets themselves. I replaced all six sockets with new ones and solder a ground wire to each socket on the outside to ensure perfect grounding.

Find the ground and clean it up and you may get lucky!

Rob
Rob, I found this old thread. From what I see, this is what you did. Correct?
http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62&highlight=dim+tail+lights
 

Mosesatm

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Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,009
If you want to get to the light socket wiring you'll need to remove the bumper, then remove all the screws along the bottom on the panel and the screws along the top. I don't remember if the gas cap can stay on the car, but I don't think so.

Here is the correct ground location.
 

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  • Ground Wire DSCN3808.JPG
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1968Cally

1968Cally

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Nov 16, 2017
Messages
328
Yup, I took it apart tonight. Bumper guards, bumper and valance. Gas cap stays on. Going to get colder tomorrow but I can work on grounding the sockets properly in the basement.
 

robert campbell

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1968Cally

1968Cally

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
328
Kinda is what I talked about. Grounds to each socket is the hot ticket. The pot metal to socket "ground" is iffy at best. You need to ground the socket housing of each socket to ensure perfect grounds and bright lights.

Rob
That is the plan. I will use the Dremel wire brush wheel to clean the outside of the sockets. Then, solder on ground wires. Then I will use expoxy to cover those soldering points just to make sure they won't break off. Then wire them together and run to a good ground. Not "correct" but everything will be hidden behind the tail light panel and trunk card board
 
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