<VV> Electrical problem #2

[Jim Becker]

When you have a tail light that has lost its ground, the tail light appears 
to work (although slightly dim) because it completes a circuit through both 
brake filaments and to ground on the opposite side.  When you step on the 
brakes with the tail lights on, you are applying 12 volts to both filaments 
of both tail lights.  The one with a good ground will light up both 
filaments.  The side with no ground will now have 12 volts applied to the 
"hot" side of both filaments.  With no ground, the voltage difference across 
both filaments is zero and the light goes out.

This is the exact symptoms initially described.  The lost ground is on the 
right.

Jim Becker

-----Original Message----- 
From: Ken Pepke via VirtualVairs
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2014 9:15 AM
To: Vair Views
Cc: judynrandy at comcast.net
Subject: Re:  Electrical problem #2

I agree with all about the ground part … HOWEVER … I would bet the problem 
is the ground to the LEFT light, the one that appears to be working properly 
(It is stealing the ground from the right tail light.)

Ken P
Wyandotte, MI
65 Monza 110hp 4 speed 2 door
Worry looks around; Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.

****************************

On May 3, 2014, at 10:58 AM, "J. R. Read via VirtualVairs" 
<virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:

> Sounds like a poor ground at the RR.  Wait till you get one where the turn 
> signal switch makes the license plate bulbs flash!  That will also be a 
> poor ground somewhere in the rear of the car.
>
> Later, JR
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Hook via VirtualVairs" 
> <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 10:03 PM
> Subject: <VV> Electrical problem #2
>
>
>>
>> I have another electrical problem with the '60. This one should be easier 
>> to solve than the first one was. I hope. Well, here goes................
>> With the key off and the parking lights on, they work normally.
>>
>> With the key off and parking lights on, when I step on the brake pedal 
>> the drivers (left) side brake light lights like normal, BUT the pass side
>> brake light goes out. (Doesn't light) When I release the brake pedal, 
>> both parking lights light like normal.
>>
>> With parking lights on, and the key on, when I turn on the pass (right) 
>> side turn signal it works but blinks slowly. The drivers (left) side 
>> parking light
>> stays on like normal. When I hit the brake pedal, the drivers side brake 
>> light lights like normal and the pass (right) side blinks slowly.
>>
>> With parking lights on, and the key on, when I turn on the drivers (left) 
>> side turn signal it works but blinks fast. The pass (right) side parking
>> light goes out. When I step on the brake pedal the drivers (left) side 
>> still blinks but fast. BUT the pass (right) side brake light stays out.
>> (Doesn't light) When I turn off the turn signal, the pass (right) side 
>> parking light comes on again.
>>
>> The dash indicators both work when they are supposed to.
>>
>> Very strange. Thoughts and opinions welcome. Thanx.
>>
>> Randy (Cap'n) Hook
>> Hopewell, PA
>>
>> '60 700 4dr '64' 110/4spd
>> '63 ragtop 110/pg
>> '65 Monza 4dr 84/pg
>

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