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Proper tail light operation

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Winston

Jedi Trainee
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While doing a normal safety inspection I found that the tail lights were operating as follows.
The entire lighting system is engaged, the lower bulb is constant and when the brake is applied the brake light is activated.
At the same time the upper bulb remains unlit until the turn signals are activated at which point the upper bulb activates until the turn light switch clicks back to the static position at which point the upper bulbs again go dark.
It seems to me that in the past the upper bulb remained lit AND activated the turn signals accordingly.
I replaced both bulbs with (GE?) # 1156, single solder base with the same results.
I do not recall changing to a double solder base at anytime in the past.
I hope that this narrative is not overly confusing, although the writer certainly is confused.

Thanx as always
 
Winston,

I think (if I understand your description) that your lights are working correctly, or at least the same way mine do. I'll double check mine when I get home this evening, but I think the turn signal indicators only light when the turn signal lever is activated, and remain unlit the rest of the time.
 
Okay... I double checked. That's exactly how mine work. The turn signals (top half) only light when they are activated.
 
Mine is the same. Top half is dark until the turn signals are used.
 
Hi Winston,

I just want to double check... when you say you changed both bulbs to 1156s, you mean both *upper* bulbs, as in right and lefthand sides, right? If so, yes, those are single wire bulbs of approx. 21 watts output that are only used as flashers. (The same bulbs are used in TR4/4A front flashers, too. Most U.S. cars have clear glass/plastic covers on the front flashers, so I use an amber bulb there, usually 1156"A", for improved visibility to other motorists.)

The right and left lower bulbs are 1157s, each is a two wire circuit with one being about 7 watts output (tail light) and the other being 21 watts.

I'm considering changing all of these to halogen equivalents or Sylvania Silverstar high output type, simply to make my LBC seem a little bigger and as noticable as possible at night!

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