5998DownUnder

Well, the Olds is almost back together bar a few items, about 2 days work to go.

Just come up against a little prob here. Looking for advice.

The rear brake lights, rear parking lights and rear indicators all work intermitantly, as in, sometimes one works and something else dosn't, then when we test again the stuff that did work doesn't, all in a matter of minutes. We touch nothing in the trunk so have not disturbed the wiring.

Having the brake light fillament double as the indicator is not something we have here, so is all new to me.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
John.

MDchanic

Most likely problem: Bad grounds (or earths, if you prefer).

Next possibility: a bulb in slightly wrong, with intermittent bad contact.

- Eric

5998DownUnder

Thanks there Eric,

I'll give the earth connections a better look over tomorrow.
Thought I fixed the bulb holder problem today by replacing it as the old plastic one was sloppy and the bulb was not sitting correctly, to no avail.
It shows all the tell tail signs of what you mention.

Funny thing though, I had everything working fine bar the stop lights last night, however in my wisdom I changed out all the existing bulbs to new ones I purchased this morning. Should have stuck to a saying I preach: "If it aint broke.....".

Thanks again, I'll go over the things you mention.

MDchanic

If all else is well, there is always the possibility of a loose connection inside the turnsignal switch, which has all of those wires pass through it.

- Eric

5998DownUnder

Just a thought,
I have recently had a full respray completed on the car, I have put the tail light housings back in and I think there thee were 5 or 6 studs holding the metal housing on. I did use a fair bit of sealant around the holes to keep water out, maybe the housing needs to be earthed?

I can see why it would not be earthed with the way I bolted it back on, (paint, sealant). Would I need to run an earth from the housings to the body of the car in the luggage compartment?

John.

MDchanic

A good possibility.

Just connect an appropriate length of wire from a shiny spot on the housing to a shiny spot on the body.

- Eric

oldcutlass

The contact wiring becomes brittle and hard over time so it's not as flexible and the springs can't overcome that. They also get corroded and won't move freely. Make sure the contacts move in and out of the housings so that they have a solid connection to the lamps.

5998DownUnder

Done deal thaks for the help.
Earth, ground was the culprit.

I took Eric's advice ran a ground wire from housing to body and to make sure did it to the other side as well.

Thanks everyone.
John.

MDchanic

Cheers! Always glad to help.

- Eric

San Fernando Olds

After owning six 59 Oldsmobiles over the years,. I have had this problem on a couple of cars, both times it was a bad turn signal switch on the bottom of the steering column, they are made of plastic or bakelite and they usually are cracked or broke. Both your brake lights and turn signals run through the switch.

5998DownUnder

I'll be checking that then also, to check the condition.