Re: IML: '55 taillights

[Kenyon Wills <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx>]

My 55 had no brake lights.
I replaced the bulbs to no effect.

I replaced the pressure switch in the MC and stuff
worked super right away.

Now one brake light is a goner again, the bulbs are
new, and the switch is new.  

-I conclude that it is a problem in the wiring that
has yet to reveal itself.  Likey a short someplace
where the cloth-insulation has cracked or worn off?

Since the turn-signal still works, I presume that it
has to do with the brake-circuit only.


 -Kenoyn

--- Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 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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> 
> 
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Kenyon Wills
 
 






















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