The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Tail Light HELP

I have a 1957 chevy 3100. I just purchased after market taillight assemblies which have two separate wires a black and a white. My truck has wire already in the truck, solid black and one black with a white stripe. How do i hook everything up? I already looked at wiring diagrams but not much help when it comes to wiring the two taillights together or running wire from the left to the right.

One of the wires (probably black in this case) is the tail light and the other one with the white stripe will be the turn signal/brake light assuming you truck was equipped with turn signals but that takes three wires. If not then it is the brake light only. If your truck has three or four wires then your lamps are wrong. A simple test light will identify which is which. If you don't have one they are easily made or buy one for cheap at the FLAPS. The lamp assembly is grounded thru the mounting screws so be sure it's a clean surface and use good screws/bolts. If four wires then one is the ground wire. You run a jumper wire across the rear cross member of the frame using frame clips to the opposite side. Remember, grounds are important or they won't work or will appear dim. Don't use scotch locks but twist and solder the connections and use heat shrink tubing over them. Use only the proper size wire or cable and secure it to the frame well, Wiring can be a nighmare when searching for a problem but is actually kind of fun because you get to see your progress immediatly and a good sense of accomplishment.

Thanks, i figured out that dimmer switch was struck, i pulled it out and the tail lights started working again. Now im stuck trying to wire my truck for turn signals. I have a signal stat model 900, any info in how to hook everything up. My truck has only 2 wires, a black wire and a black ans white stripe going to the taillights out back.

I have a SigStat also but I rewired using a universal kit and the only problem that has developed in 5 years is the indictor light on the SigStat stays on and will run the battery down. So far I haven't located the short but it may be in the controller itself. Signal Stat used to run forever back in the 70's when I was a dealer but it was always expensive and now everything is Chinese junk and my control may be one.

A "short" won't cause a light to stay on. The pilot light is fed by the 'P' terminal of the flasher. Your flasher may be bad.