Which rear lights come on during turn brake/signal/hazard?

[SurferD]

After driving for about half an hour my signals stopped working.

I attribute it to 45 year old flasher relays. I ordered new Tridon EL12 units for both. 

I also took apart the signal switch contact box and they were a little toasted so I cleaned them with green Scotch Brite.

My question is simple but perplexing.

Which of the three lights in the housing are supposed to come on during the signal and hazard and brake operation? Mine have all three lit for signal/hazard and braking.

I saw a YouTube video with the signals only lighting the side two.

Edited October 19, 2015 by SurferD

[SteveJ]

The answer lies in the type of socket and the colors of the wires running to it. 

Type 1157 sockets have three wires.

Type 1156 sockets have two wires.

On the left side of the car, if you see a green wire with a red stripe going to the socket, it will flash.

On the right side of the car, if you see a green wire with a black stripe going to the socket, it will flash.

On either side, if it's an 1156 socket with a green wire wire with a white stripe, it should not flash.

[SurferD]

OK I checked and the top two in each assembly is a 3-wire with 1157 two filament bulb.

The lower two are 2-wire1156 single filaments.

However I don't see any green with red stripe on the left.

 

Still my question is which should be flashing for each operation?

For example, does the hazard flasher make all three blink?

Does the turn signal make just the outer two blink?

Do the brakes make just the top two blink?

Or is it supposed to be all three all the time no matter what switch is used?

[jfa.series1]

Our VIN's are close enough together to have the same wiring.

Tailights - only the top two bulbs light

Brake, hazard, turnsignal - all three bulbs

[SurferD]

Our VIN's are close enough together to have the same wiring.

Tailights - only the top two bulbs light

Brake, hazard, turnsignal - all three bulbs

That's exactly what I wanted to know!

Thanks!

[jfa.series1]

Glad to help a fellow CTZCC member. 

[SurferD]

TX is a long way from CT, how are you an CTZCC member?

[jfa.series1]

TX is a long way from CT, how are you an CTZCC member?

I got a special dispensation from Frank T. - caught him in a weak moment.  The next time you see him, ask him how he knows me.

 

You do know the club has members all over the world, right?

[SurferD]

I got a special dispensation from Frank T. - caught him in a weak moment.  The next time you see him, ask him how he knows me.

 

You do know the club has members all over the world, right?

Yea Frank is a Z freak.

I know, for a small club we have a far reach.

I'll ask next time I see him.

[TomoHawk]

First, you should get a good copy of the wiring diagram for your car.   Then if you need to, follow the wires from the lamp sockets back to the connector that's under the rear deck.  If the PO spliced in new sockets for the lamps, you should probably have the original wires  going to that connector toward the front of the car.  Then you could decript what was  done between the connector and the sockets.

 

There should also be some threads detailing which bulbs or sockets are for which function; turn signal, brake, etc.,  so do a little searching.

[SurferD]

First, you should get a good copy of the wiring diagram for your car.   Then if you need to, follow the wires from the lamp sockets back to the connector that's under the rear deck.  If the PO spliced in new sockets for the lamps, you should probably have the original wires  going to that connector toward the front of the car.  Then you could decript what was  done between the connector and the sockets.

 

There should also be some threads detailing which bulbs or sockets are for which function; turn signal, brake, etc.,  so do a little searching.

Thanks, I'm sure the wires weren't modified since the car was from the original owner and he wasn't a mechanic and there's no evidence of splices anywhere.

I have a original FSM with the schematics.

I think it's supposed to be as Jim stated above. 

Edited October 21, 2015 by SurferD

[TomoHawk]

OK I checked and  I don't see any green with red stripe on the left.

If that's the case, then either some wiped off the colors, or changed the wiring.  Get out your good work lamp. and make a diagram with  the wire colors noted.