My tail & interior lights won’t work on my 1956 Olds S88 convertible. Any ideas where to start?

 

Fuse holder under drivers side dash fifth fuse down, probably marked tail light, should be a 7.5 amp fuse if it is a fuse. Could be just dirty fuse holder Other wise see where the juice stops or most likely where is the bad ground? Keep us informed on what you find....Tedd

 

Thanks Tedd, I’ve installed new fuses, but will scuff the holder to make sure. Suspect it is a ground issue since the interior lights and gas gauge work intermittently.

 

Gas gauge could be a separate issue. Oldsmobile of this era used a Micky Mouse ground system on the gas tank to ground it. There is a clamp on the gas line near the tank that most likely has corroded and will give you fits finding. Most bypass this ground and and go straight to the frame with a tapped hole and a small bolt.

If you can't find where the juice to the tail lights stops check the bolts that attach the tail light lens to the rear end of the car, though tight they sometimes don't make a good complete ground and you will have a no light or intermittent light issue.

If you could list what doesn't work and what does (all the lights and accessories) it would be a help isolating /figuring out what the issue or issues are..... Tedd

 

Here's the schematic, in case you don't have one:

I think I remember having your problem with my '56 once. Since nothing worked on my car when I bought it, I'll look through my notes and get back to you. Most problems were fixed by cleaning connections and wiggling wires, as Tedd suggested above.

 

Ted & all,
Located the issue(s). Truck light Assyrian was grounded along with both front parking lamps. I had to replace the turn signal switch, brake switch and the headlight switch as well. Good news I have lights, turn signals and brake lights. Thanks for all the help.