Rear tail lamp issue

[Zachary H.]

I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction with some trouble shooting. I have a 1960. The right rear break light works and the right rear turn signal works but when the turn signal is on the break light will not work. The left side is working just fine. The bulb looks good. I have not replaced it yet. It seems if the lamp was bad one or the other would not work. Is it as simple as a lamp replacement? Thanks for any help.

Zach

[Don H.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

Check your turn signal switch - move it towards the center position when it doesn't work. That will cause that problem. Good luck, Don H.

[Joe M.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

My 60 does the same thing; even after replacing the entire turn signal switch. If the lever is not dead center, brake light will not come on. Sometimes it will center after completing a turn and sometimes it won't. I have developed a habit where I center it after each turn.

A policeman stopped me once because my left brake light was not working. I said "Are you sure officer?" As he was walking back to take another look, I centered the lever and it was working when he looked a second time. He said "I sure thought that it was not working when I pulled you over." I chuckled to myself and drove off.

[Larry C.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

Joe,

Way to go! Pretty much everyone who owns or has owned a C-1 has experienced that problem with the turn signal switch and brake light not coming on. Much has been written about it. Many years ago, i was stopped for the same brake light issue but didn't know at the time what was causing it and couldn't get away with it.

Larry

[Zachary H.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

Thank you to all that have responded. Joe I like your quick thinking and will remember it if I am found in the same situation. Since this seems to be a common issue is there a solution or is it something that C-1 owners learn to live with?

[John H.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

Thank you to all that have responded. Joe I like your quick thinking and will remember it if I am found in the same situation. Since this seems to be a common issue is there a solution or is it something that C-1 owners learn to live with?

Zachary -

If you disassemble the cancelling mechanism, clean and lubricate all the moving/sliding parts, and put it all back together again, it will work fine. All those little parts and springs are exposed to the environment through the gap between the steering wheel hub and bowl, and eventually get gummed up and/or rusty.


TSigCancelAsm2.jpg

[Thomas H.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

Zach,

I did a tech article in the June 2013 newsletter for our Chapter. If you don't have it I can bring it to the meeting Wed or email it to you.

As John points out it most times a simple clean and lube will get things cancelling properly again.

Tom

[Zachary H.]

Re: Rear tail lamp issue

Thank you John and Tom. This information is very helpful. Tom I was hoping to make Wednesday's meeting but I have a prior commitment that will keep me away. If you could email it to me I would really appreciate it.

Zach