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I am confused about the Add-On Turn signal wiring. I have several turn signal switches. All have 4 wires coming out of them. Two of them are power and ground. The two that are left is the confusing part because:

The wiring harness I purchased has FIVE wires devoted to the turn signals. They are:

31 - Left Rear Turnsignal & Stoplamp to Turnsignal Switch
32 - Right Rear Turnsignal & Stoplamp to Turnsignal Switch
33 - Stoplamp Switch to Turnsignal Switch
34 - Left Front Turnsignal to Turnsignal Switch
35 - Right Front Turnsignal to Turnsignal Switch

This is the standard vendor harness from Classic or Jim Carter for a 1953 with Alternator, so nothing exotic or anything. Even if I tied 31 and 34 together and same for the right side, that is two wires but what about 33?

you need an add-on turn signal switch with 6 or 7 wires (most of the ones you need come with 7, I think). The ones you have are for turn signals only, where your brake lights would be separate from the rear turn signals. I have a number with only 4 wires, but only one with all the wires needed.

Deve,

69Cuda is correct. You will need a 7 wire turn signal switch. Just a piece of advice from my experience with the off shore made switches most of the vendors sell....JUNK!! The off shore one I purchased through a vendor I won't mention, was broken when it arrived. Two of the wires inside the switch had never been soldered and the plastic switch carrier itself was cracked. Vendor would not replace, said I must have broken it when I was installing it. I let them know it was broken when it arrived. Was told I should not have opened the switch. I opened it ....so no warranty. Needless to say it went in the trash and I won't purchase from these guys again. Invest in a Signal Stat 900! Much better quality....all metal and made in the U.S.A. Replacement parts are also available for these switches.

Tim

This makes more sense. Signal Stat 900 it is! Thanks guys!

Tech Tip: How Do I Wire My Turn Signals ?, by Cletis/Charlie

Yeah, I have that Tim. The disconnect for me was the number of wires and the fact that I have 5 other signal units that do not work any better than the one that was mounted. I am good to go now! I had no idea there were different number of wires/switches. Thanks.

You can use a 4 wire switch if you have extra turn lights on the rear. The stop/ tail light will be separate from the turn signal.

Wrenchbender is correct.
The directional signals were an add on. Either installed by a dealer or the owner. The kit was independent of any of the lighting on the vehicle. The kit had 2 lights that mounted in the rear (side of the frame or bed depending on truck type) and 2 lights that mounted on the tops of the front fenders.
The wiring was simple, 1 wire for the right and one for the left.
The brake light(s)were not involved.

One of the really cool things about this wiring harness (the $150 lower cost solution) is that they provide the system WITH turn signals. Very nice. They use a dual filament park light mod for the front park lights, and no mods on the rear which have two bulbs already. The downside is a 7 wire turn signal system. But I just paid $42 for the good switch system and that is a small price to pay to do it so cleanly.

Deve, what harnesses are you using? I'm about to go that route myself.
As for the signal add on.. your original post said of the four wires from switch, one power one ground. Others don't know.
On my installation (looks to be mid 50s add on) a switched power from ignition goes to the three terminal flasher. From the flasher one lead goes to turn signal switch, this is flashing power, another from flasher goes to a indicator bulb in turn signal switch. Then from turn signal switch there is one for right and another lead for left signal lights.front and rear spliced to these leads. Doesn't involve any other lighting on vehicle at all.

You have found the difference in "stand alone" and "integrated" turn signals. When after market turn signals first came about, The dealer added turn signals lights to the front fenders(right on top and ugly as can be) Then they added them to the rear(often mounted to the rear bed post support). Can be quite interesting to see a truck with 2 rear turn signals and 1 Stop light. Dads truck had just this setup. When he bought a trailer, he got the tnegrated signal stat and the second stop light.

The harness I am using is Classic Parts or Jim Carters economy harness. No frills, but it does have Alternator and Turn Signals incorporated. Rather than start all over here.. look at the last three (coming up on four) Tips of the Week here:

http://forums.devestechnet.com/foru...60-tip-of-the-week-33-for-may-15-21-2016

Go to the Index to see what else is there that pertains. I have installed this harness completely and am VERY happy with it. The 7 wire turn signal wiring works flawlessly. The last installment will be online tomorrow.