The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Brake Light, Tail Light, Turn Signal Trouble

My uncle bought a 1965 C20 last week. The truck had been driven somewhat frequently, and he has been driving it around.

Well, the other day all the rear lights went out. He has checked the fuses and they're all fine and hasn't seen any bad wires right off.

So, any ideas how he should start tracking down the problem? What to look for? I'm no good at the electric system!!

Off topic - but he got a great truck for $700! It's SOLID and has a wonderful engine! For anyone interested, there are photos in my blog...

Try checking for a faulty ground.

I have to ask, I take it both bulbs arent burned out?

Thanks.

No, both bulbs are apparently still good. (That was one of the first questions I asked him. Right after "have you checked the fuse?" haha!)

I just called my uncle up and found out some more information... the 'parking' lights on the hood and the turn signals on the hood also do not work.

It's easier to just say that the only lights that work on the truck at all are the headlights, dash lights, and dome light... Again noting that all lights worked when it was purchased, and he has not done made any electrical changes to the truck since he has had it.

One thing that may be an issue is how corroded the wiring is. If theres corrosion on the fuse panel the fuses may not be connecting the terminals. Probably the best advice I can give is to go buy an Ohm Meter and that way you can start diagnosing things and checking to see if you have continuity between one side of the fuse and the other. Even a cheap Ohm Meter is worth its weight in gold when working on electrical!

The parking lights should run off the headlight switch itself and are on a seperate circuit then the brakes/turn signals so Im imagining its more to do with broken grounds and corroded wiring.

Even a simple test light works wonders if you have one handy and that can help you trace the wiring to see where the power is going and where it stops.

Good luck, Jeff

I had same problem last week with my 1966 C-10. Even though the fuse looked OK, it turned out to be the problem. Try another AGC-15 fuse.

Ok… The lights are fixed…

What was the solution?

Well, there were actually multiple causes, but all in all it was the wiring. It was just all messed up and corroded! The wires under the dash and the wires at the lights!

Actually totally replaced the brake lights in the back. It wasn't stock anyway.