Tail light grounding problem

[dtkarst]

Haven't driven my 64 c20 for far too long and went and fired it up and then remembered why I stopped driving and it was because of my tail lights. I'm thinking I have a ground problem because when I have my lights on, the driver side is lit up real bright and the passenger side is about normal brightness. Without my lights on, my driver side blinker and brake light do not work. Anyone have any issues like this before? Figured I'd ask the experts on here. Thank you

[DPowers]

I had a similiar problem until I ran new ground wires to the tail lights.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by dtkarst

Haven't driven my 64 c20 for far too long and went and fired it up and then remembered why I stopped driving and it was because of my tail lights. I'm thinking I have a ground problem because when I have my lights on, the driver side is lit up real bright and the passenger side is about normal brightness. Without my lights on, my driver side blinker and brake light do not work. Anyone have any issues like this before? Figured I'd ask the experts on here. Thank you

dejavu, yes I did. not on a truck but another hot rod I've got. don't know the truck you've got, but, check the bulb socket to make sure they are grounded and ANY wires going in and out of each socket check those. if you have any solitary grounds from your lights to lights, check those. and one more place to check that I overlooked, your wiring going back to your taillights, check those. you didn't say anything about the front parking and headlights work OK? Last comment, switch your bulbs and see if they do the same as you have now. Hope this helps.

[vince1]

Yes check your grounds and sockets. I think there is a ground at each socket. If there have been any wiring changes make sure the proper wire goes to its intended wire in the socket.

After having installed headlight relays one of the headlights became dim. Running a new ground perked it up again. I can't believe how cheap they went on those ground wires. What are they, 18 or 20 gauge?

[dtkarst]

Thanks for the responses guys. All my other lights are bright and light up as they should. I've put new bulbs in each so I know those are good. I'll try runnin a ground from each socket to maybe a cleaned up spot on the frame. It's a rusty old pickup but it runs good so these things are expected. But to answer your question I want to say an 18 gauge wire grounds the headlights..not real well either

[PGSigns]

I made up grounds on my 66 that went from the housing to the bed in behind the tail light and on from the bed to the frame. Mad a huge change in how bright the lights were. I also added a grounds to the marker lights in the hood and grounded the hood. Every time I go to a junkyard I get a hand full of ground straps.
Jimmy

[dtkarst]

Had a dirty ground wire to the frame, cleaned a new spot, ran a new wire and it works great..now time for some power steering

[PGSigns]

Truck is getting a lot of love and attention this week!
Jimmy