1959 turn signal short

[Mike T.]

When I turn the ignition off one of my tail light stay on and if I jiggle the turn signal lever the other tali light lights up. What might the problem be

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Likely your directional switch is bad or a wire short near it.

For reference, here is a schematic of the switch I made up years ago....

[Mike T.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Richard thank you so much , however I changed the switch and problem still exists. Even with key off and removed if I wiggle the turn signal lever it turns a different tail lite on. I wonder if it could be feeding back through the brake switch.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Mike, It sounds like the switch is making intermittent contact to the brake switch circuit(White wire shown in schematic), as that's the only power to the rear when the ignition is off. The lights that turn on are your Brake lights.

It seems like more of a mechanical issue then. The cancel ring behind the hub may be loose and causing the pin for the switch to move too much. Did that mechanism seem tight when you put it back together. I would remove the steering wheel and hub and the cancel ring. Using a small drift or small screwdriver, move the switch internal plastic cam to each direction(L & R directionals with IGN on), then to center(OFF) to test operation. Apply the Brake and see if each side operates properly based on Directional usage also. If you can verify switch operation, then it must be a mechanical issue with the cancel cam ring and/or pivot bolt. I don;t have a phot of the mechanism but someone I know may have one he can post after I contact him.



I have found that replacement switches have a very loose internal assembly. Yours may be okay, but best to remove the mechanical parts to verify switch operation and proceed from there.

Rich

[Mike T.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Richard Cancel ring seems OK. I replaced the switch with a brand new one. I removed the cancel ring and used a small screwdriver to manipulate the switch again with key off and removed and the tail lites came on individually depending on where the switch was positioned. I am thinking perhaps the white wire from the brakes is the culprit. Do you know if that wire is hot all the time on line side of brake switch with key off?
Thanks
Mike

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Mike,

That white wire should only have power when the Brake Pedal is pushed. The Orange input to the Brake switch is always hot.

Now I'm thinking since you've checked everything, and it appears you had the problem with the previous switch, that something in the rear harness is suspect......and it may be a Bad Ground. A bad ground can cause some strange electrical behavior. THere may in fact be a feedback through the bulb filaments causing this.

I'd do this......In the trunk doublecheck the Black/white tracer(IIRC) wire grounds and terminals where they attach to the Lamp Housing studs. Often these loosen and can cause trouble. Give the stud nuts a few turns and see if the problem persists. You can also add a temporary ground using a jumper wire from the chassis/bumper to the terminals as a test also.

Rich

[Mike T.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Richard, thanks to your wiring diagram, I went and checked the brake switch. It was dislocated about 40 degrees off the brake pedal arm causing the the brake switch to send voltage to the turn signal switch. I disconnected that and it took care of it. Thanks so much for help and efforts.

Mike Trinwith

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Ahh,

So the Brake Switch being always on tricked us. Good fix then. Glad the diagram helped.

Rich

[Roger W.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Nice diagram Rich. Just downloaded for future reference.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 turn signal short

Nice diagram Rich. Just downloaded for future reference.

Thanks Roger, It helps me much whenever I diagnose these old gadgets. Glad it helps.