Hello all,
I have been studying my turn signal and brake wiring, and contemplating the removal of a hideous black plastic aftermarket turn switch. Hoping to reinstall a factory switch and arm back in the column. Which got me thinking, as I was taking a glance at my tailight wiring, and the single wires going to each socket. I am not even sure everything is operating/illuminating properly. I am assuming correctly, that each light has one function from factory, ie, one is brakes/turn, the reverse, and tailight, correct? If so, which one top/bottom, should do which function from factory? Aside from reverse, I have that one figured out

My thought was, other than the reverse light, for added safety, would it be too difficult to add a 2 circut socket and bulb to the lower and upper lights? That way, all 4 bulbs would have a dim "tailight" illumination when on, 4 bright lights for braking, and two bright light for turns when either left or right circut is activated. With how distracted too many people drive these days with noses in devices 24/7, it would be a good "modernization" safety project, I thought. Might look awesome, too.

Hopefully it would be fairly straight forward, if the turn/brake light function(assuming I understand the factory operation) is re wired correctly? I was thinking, perhaps split the "tail light" from both sides independantly, to all 4 "dim" filaments, and then split the "brake/turn" circut from both left and right, independantly, to both the bottom and top? Any fuse, resistance, brake or turn switch concerns? If just a resistor or something minor to work correctly, I think the added safely and "cool" factor might make it worth the effort.

I admit, I repair wiring often on semis, and completely wired my entire jeep, which the charging system, lights, and everything has worked as should for over a year now. But the function of the brakes and turn lights on the switch in jeep were clearly labeled in the included schematic.

Creating or modifying circuts(and being yet unfamiliar with the factory Desoto switches and wiring, their values, and "correct" operation) are out of my expertise. I rather don't like fussing with wiring if I can help it.

Thoughts?

Sounds like a neat idea, Chris! One warning on the top tail light lens: use an LED light in there! The lens is so small that a continuously operating filament light may burn the inside of the lens. I learned the hard way!

A couple of related threads for you:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=42562&posts=12&highlight=brake light&highlightmode=1#M512823

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=47734&posts=5&highlight=goodbye&highlightmode=1#M405497

Nathan is awesome. I wouldn't have a driving Desoto without his help, and hardware he sold me for near nothing.

I hate to admit it, but most of what was in that thread is Greek to me. Diodes, resistors. Uhg. I get a headache trying to absorb everything in that thread. I can solder OK, and buy some parts from Radio Shack (or wherever). So if I am understanding your final setup, you used the original single wire and sockets, a diode, and resistor, switched to the LED bulbs, and switched to an electronic flasher? Where was the diode and resistor wired in to the circuit? Sorry I'm slow to understand electronics.

And, electronic gurus, what are your thoughts about turning the "parking lamps" into "parking lamps" AND turn lights?