Re: IML: '55 taillights- help needed

[Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jim,

How do you know the bulbs are fine? Remember, they are dual-filament bulbs,
like two bulbs living in the same glass house. One filament (the taller,
thinner one) is the dim taillamp, and the other (short, thicker one) is the
brighter brake/turn lamp.

Often if one fails, the common ground will employ the other one when both
are in use. Depends on how the car is wired.

Check these things:

Turn on the parking lights only. Do the taillamps turn on? Bright or dim?
Just for fun, check out the front parking lights too.

If the taillamps are on but too bright, turn the parking lights off, turn
the key to the last position before "start" (the normal running position)
and switch on one turn signal. Does it operate normally? How about in front?

Now, without turning anything off, turn the parking lights back on. Now what
happens, front and rear.

Now try the other turn signal, same routine. And then the brake lamps. And
while you're at it, with all lights off, have someone watch the front of the
car while you step on the brakes. Do the front turn signals erroneously
illuminate with the brakes? (This could indicate short or burned-out
condition in one rear bulb.)

Do you have spare bulbs on hand? (Is this a 6-volt or 12-volt car?) If so,
try replacing bulbs, even if they seem to be OK. Make sure they installed
correctly, not 180 degrees off (note the distance from the side posts to the
base of the bulb, and match it to the slots in the socket walls.)

If all else fails, post the answers to the above and we'll go from there.
(Dick B is at the So Cal Imperial picnic today, so the most brilliant
answers won't come until later!)

Hope this helps,
Chris in LA
67 Crown
78 NYB Salon 


On 10/1/06 11:26 AM, jtpoltrock@xxxxxxx at jtpoltrock@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Hello fellow Imperialist!
> I need some help figuring out a problem that just began with my '55 sedan.  I
> got up this morning and the weather looked great, so I decided to take the
> Imperial for a Sunday cruise.  It was a little foggy out yet so I turned on my
> headlights.  I noticed right away that the taillights were burning
> brilliantly, like they would when the brake pedal was pressed with the
> headlights on.  There was no change when I pressed the brakes.  When I turned
> the headlights off the rear taillights went off and I had no brake lights.  In
> the interest of safety I ended up leaving the Imperial at home- which is too
> bad because there are not many beautiful fall days like today left.
>      I am trying to figure out what the problem is.  The wiring looks fine and
> the hydraulic brake switch was replaced about two months ago when I had the
> master cylinder rebuilt.  The bulbs are fine, and I have never had a lighting
> problem before.  The FSM is not helping me figure out the problem (unless i am
> missing something).
>      Any leads or advice?  All help would be appreciated!
> 
> Jim Poltrock
> Salem, WI.
> '55 sedan, 42k
> Wisteria blue over
> Rhapsody blue
> 
> 
> 
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