More on ground wires for turn signals and tail/brake lamps

1949FL

1949FL

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Okay so I forgot to put ground wires in for these lamps. Here's a question, where are they supposed to go on each lamp assembly? Is one ground wire enough for each marker light and turn assembly, and on each side. How about where do they connect to the assembly, I know where they go on the body. I have several tail assemblies and there is no obvious spot to see where they can connect. Any help, (and pix) of course is appreciated.
Jim
 
It is best to ground each of the bulb holders, on each side.
One way to attach the wires that is pretty effective, is to first scrub all the gunk off the outside of the bulb holder, then strip about half an inch off the end of a 16 gauge wire, and use a worm drive hose clamp to clamp the wire to the cylindrical portion of the bulb holder. Make sure that the clamp also grips part of the insulated portion of the wire so as to strain-relieve the bare portion. Once you confirm it's a good electrical connection (do a bulb test), insulate the portion of the clamp and bare wire that touches the bulb holder with a thin coat of RTV. This prevents corrosion of the bare part of the wire.
 
1949FL said:
Okay so I forgot to put ground wires in for these lamps. Here's a question, where are they supposed to go on each lamp assembly? Is one ground wire enough for each marker light and turn assembly, and on each side. How about where do they connect to the assembly, I know where they go on the body. I have several tail assemblies and there is no obvious spot to see where they can connect. Any help, (and pix) of course is appreciated.
Jim
Click to expand...
Ground wires are the best thing you can add to the lights of your car. I've often wondered why Rootes didn't choose to use a ground wire when the bodies were built. Probably due to the rubber head light gaskets they used ground wires for the head lights but not the turn signal or tail lights.
 
Nothing new here VW used the hold down bolts on rubber mounted tail and turn lights. The ground clips in the engine bay could be used anywhere. Seen some turn signal housings have a small thru bolt with O ring to mounting screw. Doesn't seem to be a great idea to have a bare metal connection in the fender well though.
 
While you're grounding the tail lights, change the upper socket from single contact to a double contact and get an extra set of brake lights.

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Here is a quick fix I installed 10 years ago...

took a piece of 10 gauge wire (probably could be less) attached a medium size alligator clamp on one end and an O ring on the other. Found a body bolt near the taillight and after cleaning off the paint under the bolt secured the O ring. Then I simply clipped the clamp onto the bulb holder. Still working fine. FYI...the ground wire I added under the wing nut did not work. You can still see it.

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No, that is why you use a double contact (DC) socket.... and 1157 bulb double contact bulb (LED best) They are separate circuits.
(Not a solution if you have amber turn signal lenses.)
 
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