The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay One wire-Brake/Blinker?

I'm wiring my truck from scratch and want to have one set of tail lights, no seperate lights for blinkers. Can someone explain how to wire the brake/blinker curcuit so I'm only using one wire for the running lights and one for brake/blinker? I just cant figure out where the flasher needs to go. It seems like if i put it in the line side of the brake it would cause the brake lights to flash.

Oh yeah, single bulb dual filament. '42GMC. Aftermarket lights.

mmcdaniel69,

I'm not real clear on your question, but I will mention a few thoughts.

Each BRAKE light will need a wire from the turn signal device.

The power goes through the brake switch, which is activated when you step on the pedal. From the brake switch, the power would go to the turn signal device, and if no turn was indicated, would travel through the two wire to each brake light, which would illuminate to show a STOP.

If it were, say a left turn, the turn signal mechanism would 'blink' the power for the left light, but the right light would illuminate uninterrupted.

In the conventional system, three wires would be needed. One wire for both TAILLIGHTS, one wire for left BRAKE/TURN and one for right BRAKE/TURN.

The flasher will go between the brake light switch and the two wires going back to the brake lights.

I'm not sure this answers your question, but it is a general layout of how it should work.

Stuart

atomarc

Sorry, I meant three wires one for tail and one each for brake/blinker

OK, so the flasher goes in, between the brake light switch and the turn signal device?

I'll need to run a power wire from the fused source to the brake light switch through the flasher, then to the Turn signal device, or visa versa.

If it goes to the brake switch first how do the blinkers work without hitting the brakes? Is there a seperate source to the turn signal device?

Also how do the front blinkers keep from getting power when the brake pedal is depressed?

Hope I haven't confused you as much as I've confused myself!

Thanks.

mmcdaniel69,

You are absolutely correct...I forgot about turn only power. Before I confuse you any more, take a look at the link I enclosed. Lots of the magic takes place inside the turn signal switch itself, so some of your questions should be answered when you study the picture.

http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/SignalWiring.html

Stuart

A '42 GMC didn't come with a turn signal switch, and there was more than one approach to adding turn signals.

So the right answer might be different depending on your turn signal switch. What switch are you dealing with? Five wires or seven?

I'm not sure if I'll be using a 5 or 7 wire switch.From the look of the diagrams probably a seven, but I can see it will be made easy by purchasing an aftermarket switch.

Thanks guys, Mike.

You will need a 7-8 wire switch. If you buy the after market switch it will have a wireing diagram & is pretty easy. It is difficult to figure out without a diagram. It seems each brand uses different color sceme. The flasher goes to the hot feed wire of the switch.

Hey Jim.(Carolines truck)

Your mailbox was full.

I think something may be missing from the pm you sent,either that or I'm missing something-VERY POSSIBLE! Hey, by the way where is Grass Valley?

Thanks, Mike.

you can use for LED lights

i have a tech article on it's way to peggy now about how to do this

one light w/ two functions

What year truck? How many tail lamps do you have? How many bulbs in each lamp? Was your truck equiped from the factory with turn signals? If the tail lamps have 2 bulbs each, are they 2 element or single element bulbs?

'42, 2 tail lamps, 1 bulb each lamp and no, not originally equipped. It looks like a 7 wire aftermarket turn signal switch is going to be the ticket. Thanks for all the information.