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| | | Forums66 Topics128,034 Posts1,055,544 Members48,425 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 | Problem: When applying brakes both lights come on, normal. When the light switch is pulled to the Park or in the lights on position tail lights illuminate, normal. However, in latter lights switch and you apply the brakes the left stop light “ goes off” and the right light “brightens “ as it should to indicate stopping. Any idea why the left stop light goes off when the light switch is pulled and the brakes are applied? | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,022 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,022 | Check the bulb itself. I have had the filaments in a dual filament bulb short together.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 | Thank you . I did swap the right hand bulb to left thinking it was the bulb but the issue persists. Guess it could be the bulb socket$ | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 | I would check the grounds. If one side doesn’t have a good ground, it will look for the path of least resistance and use the other bulb as it’s ground.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 | Good point. I’ll look into it. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,188 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,188 | I had a similar issue. Inside the socket, there is a plate with two contacts that match the contacts on the base of the bulb. A spring pushes the plate contacts against the bulb contacts. I found that while pushing the bulb in and twisting, the contacts on the bulb would catch the contacts on the plate, rotating it slightly so it would not make proper contact with the bulb. I smoothed off the contacts on the bulb so it would glide over the contacts on the plate; don't know if that helped. But after a few tries, it worked OK.
Since then, I have bought LED tail light bulbs and they were installed without issue. Maybe the contacts on the LED bulbs were smoother.
Gord 🇨🇦 ---- 1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed | | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 | Considering your suggestion as a test I placed a wire between a nearby good grounded bolt and a break light housing retaining stud and performed the test as before and now applying the break and light switch on the break light Will stay on. So it’s a housing ground issue. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2021 Posts: 246 | Gord&Fran: your suggestion makes sense specifically after performing the test as I responded to Phak 1 minutes ago. I’ll inspect the housing / socket. Thanks | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,472 | Glad you found the issue. Happy to help!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | |
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