Having trouble figuring out the lights on my '37 1/2 ton. PO added tail lights and turn signals front and rear. My understanding is that it originally only had one tail light that included a brake light but no turn signals. So when I pull the light switch to the first position everything works as it should and head lights are on. When I pull switch to 2nd position, the head lights stay on but tail lights go out. Turn signals still work in that position. The brake light wire only goes to the original one taillight. I'm wondering what the purpose was for the two position switch since the truck originally did not have parking lights.
I believe there are park lights as well as the tail light on the first notch. My 38 has small bulbs in the headlight reflector that serve as park lights. I don't know if the 37s were the same. The tail light should be on in both positions.
Last edited by Tiny; 10/06/20216:02 PM.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
Because the lighting has been "upgraded" you need to wire it properly.
1. If you want parking lights, you need dual filament bulbs in front parking lights. 2. I assume there are dual filament bulbs in rear tail lights. 3. Then wire so that first pull is parking, second pull is all on....or all on except front park lights. Your choice. 4. Turn signals have nothing to do with the headlight switch and should work all the time with lights on or off.
If you need further, we will need more info.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
In the first position everything works as though the switch was in the second position. I stuck my head under the dash and it is clear that the PO had been working there. The 85 year old wire is, not surprisingly, quite brittle. Looks like it's time for a complete rewire job. I'm about ready to put it in storage for the winter so that will be a project for next year. I appreciate the advice and I won't take up any more of peoples time now but you will undoubtedly be hearing from me in the spring. Thanks to some of the advice I got in these forums I was able to get some other things done on the truck this year. Half of the fun of owning this thing is tinkering with it and learning about these old trucks.
