Inliners International Forums General Discussion Electrical HELP w/Universal Turn-Signal installation

Help is needed. I just purchased one of these units found here:

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-72-Turnsignal-Switch-Assembly/productinfo/53%2D551/

It mounts on the steering column (on my 52 chevy PU). Does anyone have any more detailed directions on hooking this thing up? The instructions are over-simplified and seem 'mickey mouse' to me. Ex. It comes with 6 diff't colored wires that all hook to various spots--but it's not very detailed. Ex. the "orange" and "brown" wires are supposed to connect to the "Left Rear Stop or Tail light (cut/tape)" and the red wire connects thru somehow to the "Right Rear Stop or Tail light" the same way.

FYI, my tail-light assembly today consists of (2) 3" led lights that come on w/the headlights). These are connected by (2) wires (one brown, one red) that begin inside dash and travel length of bed to the left light (both wires feed the light), then under the bed, they are spliced/soldered together to feed the right tail light. Just to be clear, I only have 2 rear lights (one on each side) above bumper. So I'm not sure whether I need to sever the connection between both lights, and have them independently connect to the "orange" and "brown" wires back at the turn signal?? This seems bizarre as I'll then have 4 new wires (2 for each light) running from dash to rear. I'm just not a wiring guy...


Seperate Note/Issue: I'm also trying to get these guys to turn on w/the headlights. Dont ask me why, but these came with the truck) find a pic here: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/...1_A|GRP2044____

FYI, I have a 12 volt system in this truck -- and have a small fuse panel bolted to firewall (in front of dash) that has 4 circular wire mounts, it reads "Stop & Tail Fuses" 12v.

ANY help is appreciated.

You have 2 wires running to the rear now. One operates your left and right tail lights, and one operates your left and right brake lights. Leave the one that operates your tail lights. The one that operates your brake lights will now be used to operate one brake light and one signal light. The splice to the other brake light will need to be cut. Now you will need to run another wire from the dash to the remaining brake light which will also be the signal light on that side.
You have not mentioned what you have for front signal lights. If they are also LED, you will need some special wiring or the signals will not flash. If they are normal filament lights then you will have no problems as you only need one normal light in the circuit for the flasher to operate. This should get you started.
As far as making the teardrops go, just splice into your tail light circuit.
Al

Thanks Al. What's confusing still is the fact that I only have (1) 3" diam red LED (brake?) light on the left rear and same thing on the right side--that's it. Each light has 2 wires running to it (one red, one brown). So, I guess I'm confused as to your mention of both "tail lights" and "brake lights". So, I'm guessing here, but are these dual function? I noticed that there are several LED bulbs inside of each brake light and when the headlights are on, only 1/2 of the LEDs light up. So, I'm guessing these lights are dual function? So when brakes are applied, all the LED bulbs light up??

I do not have front signal lights, but was thinking I could get the teardrops to function as front signal lights. These are the standard filament-type, not LED.

Sorry for the ignorance...

When I say "tail light", I mean the light in the housing that is on when your headlights are on. When I say "brake light" or "signal light", I mean the higher intensity light in the housing that is on when you hit the brakes or when you signal.
It looks like your light housings are dual function. You will need to determine which wire on the housing is "tail" and which is "brake".
In most cases the brown will be the tail light, and the red will be the brake light.
Before you start,do your brake lights and tail lights function correctly the way you have them now?

The tear drops will work as front signal lights. Just make sure the light is bright enough.
Al

Thanks Al. Yes, they seem to function fine now (except before all this posting I had indeed cut the red and brown wires that were spliced and ran off to the right tail light, so that's disconnected now. The turn signal device diagram shows a solid line coming from both the brown and orange wires (on the turn signal) to run back to the left tail/brake light. This device also has a pull-stop lever on it which functions as a hazard light for the brakes, hence why (I suppose) it has 2 diff't colored wires going to the light?. So, I'm guessing now I simply connect the brown wire on the signal to same on left light, and connect the orange one to the red. I know I need to "complete the circuit" so I'm unclear on how to do that as far as the right light is concerned. Apparently, the directions have the red lead wire from the signal to run thru battery and down to right signal light.

Hi Hank
your instructions don't make sense to me either. If you could post the instructions and the wiring diagram maybe I can come up with something.
I have left you a p message with my email address.
Al