Sweptline electrical issue

[patrick66]

Yeah, it's for a truck, but electrons are electrons. I've got an issue with my '68 Dodge D100. Lights - I have headlights and front parking lights, but NO taillights, brake lights or turn signals (front OR back) and no emergency flashers. The tag light lights up fine, though.

So far, I've checked the connectors at the rear of the truck and found nothing loose or missing. Swapped out two new bulbs, with no results. Checked fuses, none are blown out or burnt. I have done NO wiring mods, no trailer connector wiring, and no aftermarket lighting at all. My next steps follow:

1) Clean the rear lamp sockets.
2) Disconnect, check, clean and reconnect the rear wiring connections.
3) Check grounds.
4) Chant, dance around the truck three times and have a priest bless the truck.

Other than what I've mentioned, am I missing anything? That's why I'm posting this, is to add a brain or two to the solution...any ideas?

 

[khryslerkid]

The bed would need a good ground to the frame. Maybe rig up something between the two and see if you get lights.

 

[patrick66]

I'm inclined to go with bad grounds. The bumper is grounded to the frame separate from the bed, and I have a tag light. Going outside to verify whether I can create a good, new ground (or not) from the bed to frame.

 

[69a100]

I have the same issue on a 69 A100 van, except just everything on the left side is dead in the rear. Done the same as you, swapped parts left to right, etc. etc. Tested current which is dead on the left. I'm afraid to say that we may have to dig into the steering column to fix it but I'm not sure? I wish I could be more help, I'll be watchin this topic!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

First guess... turn signal switch. Second guess....grounds. First thing I'd do is to check if I even have power at the rear lights....break out that $15 multi-meter and go to town brother

 

[Yatzee]

Yeah, it's for a truck, but electrons are electrons. I've got an issue with my '68 Dodge D100. Lights - I have headlights and front parking lights, but NO taillights, brake lights or turn signals (front OR back) and no emergency flashers. The tag light lights up fine, though.

So far, I've checked the connectors at the rear of the truck and found nothing loose or missing. Swapped out two new bulbs, with no results. Checked fuses, none are blown out or burnt. I have done NO wiring mods, no trailer connector wiring, and no aftermarket lighting at all. My next steps follow:

1) Clean the rear lamp sockets.
2) Disconnect, check, clean and reconnect the rear wiring connections.
3) Check grounds.
4) Chant, dance around the truck three times and have a priest bless the truck.

Other than what I've mentioned, am I missing anything? That's why I'm posting this, is to add a brain or two to the solution...any ideas?

View attachment 648514

I suspect the turn signal switch or associated wiring especially if they worked before but stopped for some reason. There's a singal wire for each corner of the car and I doubt all four grounds would be bad. First I'd check to see if you have power coming down the wires to the respective lights. You'll need a spare socket with a bulb mounted in it. A single contact bulb will provide enough of a load to trigger the flasher. In turn temporarily wire the socket in to both sides and ground it to the frame. Turn on the signal for that side.
The turn signals feed through the red wire, which draws its juice through the signal-flasher unit. To check the signal switch, connect a jumper wire to the white feed wire at the switch connector. There are four output wires for the turn-signal system, one for each corner of the car. Turn the switch to the right. The brown(right rear) and tan (right front) wires should fire a test lamp, and the green (left rear) and light green (left front) wires should be live when you turn the switch to the left. Failing this test, the switch is faulty. Be aware the brake light system and four ways go through the switch as well and the switch enables one side to flash while the other side has the brake lights on.

 

[69B7RR]

Yeah, it's for a truck, but electrons are electrons. I've got an issue with my '68 Dodge D100. Lights - I have headlights and front parking lights, but NO taillights, brake lights or turn signals (front OR back) and no emergency flashers. The tag light lights up fine, though.

So far, I've checked the connectors at the rear of the truck and found nothing loose or missing. Swapped out two new bulbs, with no results. Checked fuses, none are blown out or burnt. I have done NO wiring mods, no trailer connector wiring, and no aftermarket lighting at all. My next steps follow:

1) Clean the rear lamp sockets.
2) Disconnect, check, clean and reconnect the rear wiring connections.
3) Check grounds.
4) Chant, dance around the truck three times and have a priest bless the truck.

Other than what I've mentioned, am I missing anything? That's why I'm posting this, is to add a brain or two to the solution...any ideas?

View attachment 648514

Nice truck.......

 

[Shorthorse]

I have to agree with a bad ground because nothing works. Start with the simplest function. Not familiar with your truck but the tail/running lights don't run through the turn signal mechanism so concentrate on them. Chances are that when you get them to work, the rest will also.

 

[67 coronet]

when ever brake lights are part of problem, i like to start at the switch. power in and out, prob is in the rear of vehicle. no power in, prob is in the dash or column.

 

[67440chrg]

Ground would be my guess. I like your Fargo Sweptline. I had 2 69 Sweptlines I wish still had one.

 

[patrick66]

It ended up being a bad bed-to-frame ground. I had headlights and park lights, and my tag light in back. Since the rear bumper is grounded separately from the bed and the tag was lit, I knew power was going back there. I took a braided ground strap, drilled a nice new hole in both the bed mount and the frame, and bolted it up. Lights are now working as they should. Thanks for the ideas.