The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Adding Turn Signals, Help!!

Hello, I have an untouched 1951 3800 long bed pickup. I have replaced the entire electrical system with new harnesses from Harnesses Unlimited ( 6 volt retained). Everything works perfectly. The old Signal Stat turn signal didn’t work anymore. So I got an NOS Signal Stat 700 with 5 wires. There was no wiring schematic though. I was told that the 5 wire signals bypass the brake light switch so that wiring is not affected. I have a new 2 post 6 volt flasher. That is hooked up and works properly.
Here is my problem, how do I wire up the turn signal wires? I’ve tried multiple ways of tying in the turn signal wires to the hot rear brake wire then those two hook up to one of the wires coming from the stock brake light. Depending on how I connect the wires, one of the brake lights won’t work, but both indicator lights on the switch will flash when the turn signal is activating ( back feeding??). I could go on with other combinations and other outcomes happen but you get the idea.
So basically, from the start, how do I hook up the remaining 4 wires once the one wire is connected to the flasher? Everything worked fine before I tried adding the turn signals and now I can’t get brake lights and all turn signals working properly. About ready to skip the whole turn signal thing and just use my arm. This can’t be that complicated. I’m a rather simpleton when it comes to electrical. The directions with the new harnesses were brain dead easy with everything working correctly before the turn signals so there are no issues there

PLEASE HELP! I hate electrical!

Someone will be along soon to point you in the right direction.

Please introduce yourself and your truck on the welcome forum too. We love pictures!!

Welcome to Stovebolt!

Check out this "Legacy Tech Tip" How do I wire my turn signals?. Specifically look at the paragraph titled "WIRING THE BASIC UNIT" as that lays out the 5 wire colors and where they go.

You'll need to confirm your wiring connections with what's listed then come back and provide more info on where your wires connect and to what.

I'm sure others will be along to offer more help soon.

PS - X2 for Rusty Rods suggestion to introduce yourself and your truck in the Welcome Centre.

the main question is. Based on your writeup you are trying to use the brake filament as the turn and the brake? (assuming you have a two wire two filament bulb one for parking one for braking/turn)

If you do that 5 wire setup is not going to work well. its designed for a separate turn signal light bulb on the rear

if you search NOS Signal Stat 700 with 5 wires and wiring diagrams you will see some nice writeups.
This person has a 53 they did that type of wiring on and has a good diagram.
The tech tip also explains this in detail as well.

The SIgnalStat 700 is designed for separate rear turn signal lamps, not sharing the brake light. Your wiring harness from Harnesses Unlimited PROBABLY shares rear brake and turn signal functions.

Two solutions come immediately to mind.

1. Upgrade to a SignalStat 900 which shares brake and turn functions on the rear of your truck
2. Mount separate lamps on the rear of your truck for turn signals.

You could do what I did. I used the original 5 wire turn switch (an Autolamp instead of SignalStat but the same operation) and added relays (see attached photo) and wiring for front turn/park lights with double filaments. I'm still 6 volts, so used a 6 volt flasher and 6 volt relays. But you hate Electrical, so nevermind.

I made my own turn signal system. Don’t laugh!
See photos below.
60 feet of wire
2 flasher relays
2 golf cart lights
1 switch (on-off-on)
One aluminum angle cut to size

Can't beat a simple toggle switch.

If my truck did not already have a column mounted unit on it I often thought the switch from a AH bug eye sprite would be my choice, dash mounts,
Off in center position left for left right for right, no reset. The sprite also had a dash light to indicate one side was blinking…

Chuck

My truck came to me with a column mounted self-cancelling 3 wire switch, it appears to be factory or dealer installed for this truck. The front signals are top of fender mounted, rears were separate single filament. I chose to install new dual filament taillights and kept the single filament front lights. I used 2, DPDT relays similar to KLHansen to keep the rear and front lights separated and be able to have a brake/turn/park in the rear.

You said your old Signal Stat switch wasn’t working. These old switches were pretty robust and could be taken apart quite easily. As long as there no broken parts, I’d try to clean up the contacts and see if you can get it to work. You may get lucky!

I would like to thank all for assisting. I have ordered a set of correct period vintage Signal Stat turn signal lights. I will mount these on the rear bumper. There were two larger holes there and perhaps that is what was originally there? I will run the two rear turn signal wires to the lights independant of the brake/running light circuit and should work perfectly. Great help. I have posted a history of the truck under the section that is set aside for more lengthy statements ( need to know how to download photos) and will post in the welcome section. Thank you

Pictures and initial story have been added to the Welcome section. ENJOY! I will be adding more later