Had my '66 Skylark out last night and was flagged down by a driver saying my one tail light was out. All blinkers but the rear driver side was working. Night lights and both break lights working as well, just the rear driver side blinker wasn't working. I pulled the bulb out to check and when I went to put it back in a spark happened. Now all I have at the back is the passenger blinker and break light. No night likes and nothing at all on the drivers side. Everything in the front is working. Where should I start to fix this problem? Thanks.
The spark probably blew the tail light fuse. Should be marked on the fuse box. Once you replace the fuse, the first thing we need to check as Alec suggested is to make sure the bulb is correct and its capable of working- ie, a known good bulb. After that, if its still not working, see if the socket has power and a ground going to it. Get out your continuity tester and check for power at the contacts in the socket. There are two contacts in the socket. One contact in the socket should make the tester light up dimly with the taillight on. With the turn signal on, the other contact should make the tester flash on and off brightly.
Thanks guys. I tried a different bulb last night and it still didn't work. I'll go buy another bulb today just too make sure. If it still doesn't work I'll check to see if its the socket. The weird thing is that the break light and night time light was working on that side. Only the blinker wasn't working.
Changed the fuse and the rear night lights worked on both sides. Two days later I’ve got the same problem I started with no night lights but passenger break and blinker work. Changed the fuse again and it’s not working even with a new fuse.
Does the light seem dimmer or brighter then normal? Is any other light maybe in front seem dimmer or brighter?
Probably a bad socket The fuse takes care of both sides and is usually turn signal/stop light fuse and tail light is another fuse. If one side works and other does not it is more than likely the socket is not holding the bulb. Some times you can get a small hook and hook onto the metal contacts in the end of the socket and pull on them some to make contact with the bulb again.
I had a ground wire installed on the passenger side last year as it keep cutting out. I’ve tried to do the same on the drivers side but every time I see a spark and blow the fuse..... Someone else mentioned that there is a ground wire at the wiring harness for each side and maybe that one ground wire is corroded.
Well looking at it again today the drivers side rear looks a lot brighter then the rear passenger side when the night lights are on.
Yes I have the ‘66 shop manual. Electrical is something I’ve always struggled with. Still dont get why one side will work (break and blinker) and the other side will not. I tried to put a ground in and did it the exact same way but it just sparks and blows a fuse.
get a socket. Pretty sure it’s that. The side is ground, the 2 electrodes at bottom are turn signal /brake and taillight. Easy to check with test light.
How about the ground strap from the engine to firewall is that good? Sounds like a ground is not making contact making the light go dim could be shorting out also.
