The Ford Barn

JunkOSC · 10-22-2011, 10:48 AM

I have a question regarding my taillights. Any input is greatly appreciated.

When I have my lights turned on in the evening, the tail lights are extremely bright. So bright, its hard to tell that the brake lights are even on. There is slight brightness change...but not enough to feel safe driving (braking) in the evening hours. Is this normal for a 12 volt system or do I have a wiring issue? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Tim
1930 Model A Sedan.

Sparky · 10-22-2011, 10:55 AM

Wrong bulbs or the brake light/running light wires reversed?

Kurt in NJ · 10-22-2011, 10:59 AM

The taillight should be a small lower wattage bulb (thin filament), the brake bulb should be a larger bulb with a thicker filament.

If when 1 light is on the other lights some there is a good chance of having a bad ground ---the intended bulb is using the other bulb for a ground ---when both are on both will be weak.

Since your system has been modified from stock you may have to post pictures so the advice can be tailored to the modifications --do you have 1 bulb, or 2 in your tailight, are they single filament bulbs, or one 2 filament bulb, is it a stock wiring harness, or bunches of wires hanging everywhere.

JunkOSC · 10-22-2011, 12:31 PM

I have the two bulb lights with single filament. It appears they used the stock wire harness and added to it. I will take some detailed pictures and post later this weekend. Thanks for the help!!

br,
Tim

Sparky · 10-22-2011, 01:48 PM

If you remove the bulb and find the number on its socket, you can look it up and see if it is a tail light or brake light. Brake lights are designed to draw more amps then tail lights so they burn brighter.

Al Bass · 10-22-2011, 02:07 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

just a note: the large upper lens is the brake and the smaller lower lens is tail

Patrick L. · 10-22-2011, 06:31 PM

The tail lites are in the 3-8 CP range and the stops are around 20-30 CP.. What number bulbs are you using ?

10-22-2011, 10:48 AM	#1
JunkOSC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chandler, AZ./Eagle Rock, MO. Posts: 108	Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) I have a question regarding my taillights. Any input is greatly appreciated. When I have my lights turned on in the evening, the tail lights are extremely bright. So bright, its hard to tell that the brake lights are even on. There is slight brightness change...but not enough to feel safe driving (braking) in the evening hours. Is this normal for a 12 volt system or do I have a wiring issue? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Tim 1930 Model A Sedan.

10-22-2011, 10:55 AM	#2
Sparky Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 649	Re: Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) Wrong bulbs or the brake light/running light wires reversed?

10-22-2011, 10:59 AM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,157	Re: Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) The taillight should be a small lower wattage bulb (thin filament), the brake bulb should be a larger bulb with a thicker filament. If when 1 light is on the other lights some there is a good chance of having a bad ground ---the intended bulb is using the other bulb for a ground ---when both are on both will be weak. Since your system has been modified from stock you may have to post pictures so the advice can be tailored to the modifications --do you have 1 bulb, or 2 in your tailight, are they single filament bulbs, or one 2 filament bulb, is it a stock wiring harness, or bunches of wires hanging everywhere.

10-22-2011, 12:31 PM	#4
JunkOSC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chandler, AZ./Eagle Rock, MO. Posts: 108	Re: Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) I have the two bulb lights with single filament. It appears they used the stock wire harness and added to it. I will take some detailed pictures and post later this weekend. Thanks for the help!! br, Tim

10-22-2011, 01:48 PM	#5
Sparky Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 649	Re: Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) If you remove the bulb and find the number on its socket, you can look it up and see if it is a tail light or brake light. Brake lights are designed to draw more amps then tail lights so they burn brighter.

10-22-2011, 02:07 PM	#6
Al Bass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ferndale, WA Posts: 107	Re: Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) just a note: the large upper lens is the brake and the smaller lower lens is tail

10-22-2011, 06:31 PM	#7
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Brake/Tail Lights (Is this normal?) The tail lites are in the 3-8 CP range and the stops are around 20-30 CP.. What number bulbs are you using ?