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Old 05-18-2022, 02:26 PM   #1
Dan39Deluxe
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Default Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

Hey guys,


I recently purchased this 6v turn signal switch and am having an issue.


https://vintageautogarage.com/turn-s...oaArq4EALw_wcB




When I move the signal lever to either right or left turn signal the front fog lights I installed for blinkers don't come on at all, and the rear brake lights flash as if the 4 way flashers are on.



Any tips on where to begin diagnosing how I screwed up this install?
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Old 05-18-2022, 02:44 PM   #2
drolston
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

If you wire it exactly per instructions, it will work. One step is breaking the connection between the two rear brake lights. You are required to run a separate wire for the brake light that is disconnected. Ther is also a wiring change at the brake light switch.
Double check those connections to the wire bundle from the switch unit.
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Old 05-18-2022, 06:35 PM   #3
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

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Originally Posted by drolston View Post
If you wire it exactly per instructions, it will work. One step is breaking the connection between the two rear brake lights. You are required to run a separate wire for the brake light that is disconnected. Ther is also a wiring change at the brake light switch.
Double check those connections to the wire bundle from the switch unit.
I double checked everything and as far as I can tell it's wired according to the diagram. When you say I need to run a seperate wire for the brake light that's disconnected, I'm a little confused. From the diagram theres 2 lines from the turn signal unit that run straight to the rear blinkers. I spliced those into my brake light lines. Do I need to do something different there if I'm trying to merge brake light/turn signals?
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Old 05-18-2022, 07:44 PM   #4
Bob C
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

Each signal bulb is connected to a separate wire from the switch.
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Old 05-19-2022, 03:52 AM   #5
Graeme / New Zealand
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

I see you might have one of those Taiwanese tin can flashers. My one was shite so I went for a Tridon Novita LL535 for 6v pos earth. These are US made and I got them from Rock Auto about 5 years ago.

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Old 05-19-2022, 08:53 AM   #6
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

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As stated above, you need 4 wires from the switch, one to each bulb. Also some have reported excess grease inside the "head" itself (NOT your brand but wouldn't hurt to check if re-wiring doesn't help).
Paul in CT
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Old 05-19-2022, 10:07 AM   #7
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

When I received my 6 volt positive ground turn signal kit I performed a temporary wire and bulb hookup of the entire system on the workbench to assure proper functioning prior to installing everything on my '41 p-u. The old engineering term was called 'breadboarding'. Gave me the confidence to proceed.
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Old 05-21-2022, 10:42 PM   #8
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

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Originally Posted by Dan39Deluxe View Post
I double checked everything and as far as I can tell it's wired according to the diagram. When you say I need to run a separate wire for the brake light that's disconnected, I'm a little confused. From the diagram there's 2 lines from the turn signal unit that run straight to the rear blinkers. I spliced those into my brake light lines. Do I need to do something different there if I'm trying to merge brake light/turn signals?
The original wiring has one wire that goes back from the headlight switch to the taillight pin on rear light bulb. It also has one wire that goes from the brake pressure switch to the brake lite pin in the left rear bulb. There is another wire that is connected to that one that runs across the rear of the frame to the brake lite pin on the right rear light. If you are going to use brake lights as turn signal lights, as most do, that wire will have to be disconnected from the left rear brake light power and connected with another wire all the way up under the dash to connect to the right brake light wire on your turn signal unit.

On the diagram above, the new wire to the right rear tail lamp connects to Number 1. You can use run a wire from #3 down to the brake light switch and connect to the original wire that went from there back to the brake lights. The power wire to the brake light switch stays the same, but the output of the brake light switch is yet another wire back up the tur signal unit. That would be connection point #5.

For the connection at the rear, just be sure you correctly differentiate the rear tail light power from the brake light power. They run together across the rear of the frame.

Last edited by drolston; 05-21-2022 at 10:50 PM.
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Old 05-22-2022, 10:59 AM   #9
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

you cant use fog lights as signals it will burn out flashers too much draw,do you mean parking lights?
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Old 05-23-2022, 01:30 PM   #10
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

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you cant use fog lights as signals it will burn out flashers too much draw,do you mean parking lights?
I was trying to hook this up with driving/fog lights, but you are probably correct that they would draw too much for the flasher. I'm currently waiting on some sockets to arrive that I will bench test the switch/flasher with.


I've read people don't recommend tying into the front parking lights/4 way flasher bulb because it could be hard to see with the lights on.


But I'm trying to avoid adding non original looking flasher bulbs somewhere on the front of the vehicle. So not really sure what I'm going to do at this point, just waiting on the sockets/bulbs to bench test the unit currently.
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Old 05-24-2022, 06:21 PM   #11
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

I've used fog lamps for turn signals without an issue.
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Old 05-25-2022, 09:03 AM   #12
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

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I've used fog lamps for turn signals without an issue.
Me too! On a '35 Ford 3W with original 6V positive ground. Worked great!

Pat
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Old 05-25-2022, 01:46 PM   #13
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

I used the fog lights on my A and transferred them to my 40 with no problems (both 6V).
Paul in CT
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Old 05-25-2022, 03:09 PM   #14
Dan39Deluxe
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Default Re: Troubles installing 6v pos ground turn signals

I did have a bad flasher, and a loose connection in the signal switch, both resolved now thanks for the tips.

Last edited by Dan39Deluxe; 05-25-2022 at 03:17 PM.
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