Need help with taillights/running lights

[TexasSixtyFourSW]

Wow I need some help. My 63 short fleet has a problem with the running lights. The blinkers work-the brake lights work but no running lights come on when you pull the headlight switch all the way out. The parking lights come on up front when you have the headlight switch pulled half way out.

-headlight switch replaced
-wiring from firewall to rear lights replaced
-rear tailight housings grounded to frame
-fuses checked
-brake light switch seems ok (operates brake lights)

Only thing I can think of is a bad connection at the headlight switch?

What do y'all think?

I appreciate any help or suggestions

Brian

[63ChevC10]

Do you have tail lights? If you do, everything is working the way it was designed. The front park lights are not supposed to be on when the headlights are on.

[TexasSixtyFourSW]

As I understand it the parking lights will only come on when the switch is pulled half way out right? That is what is happening--its just when you pull the switch out for the headlights to come on there are no lights on at the taillights.

[Chvyman1975]

Originally Posted by TexasSixtyFourSW

As I understand it the parking lights will only come on when the switch is pulled half way out right? That is what is happening--its just when you pull the switch out for the headlights to come on there are no lights on at the taillights.

Thats correct. I asked the same question a few weeks ago. Someone replied and also posted a link to a page that shows how to wire the switch so the running lights stay on with the headlights.
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[jonfletch01]

When you have the switch pulled all the way, no lights at all are on at the back?

[TexasSixtyFourSW]

Originally Posted by jonfletch01

When you have the switch pulled all the way, no lights at all are on at the back?

Yes that is correct---no lights at all when you pull the headlight switch all the way out

I do get brake lights(when I hit the brakes)

I do get turn signals(when I turn the signal arm)

It's one of those things that sorta drives you a little crazy

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions
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[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by TexasSixtyFourSW

Yes that is correct---no lights at all when you pull the headlight switch all the way out

I do get brake lights(when I hit the brakes)

I do get turn signals(when I turn the signal arm)

It's one of those things that sorta drives you a little crazy

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions
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The brake light bulbs have 2 filaments--one for the brakes and another for the taillights (or "running" lights as some call them). Your bulbs may simply have this 2nd filament burned out & need replacing. They should come on with switch pulled half way out as well as all the way out.
HTH,
sam

[ACK]

This should answer how to fix this, just pick your year truck. I did it a couple of weeks ago and it cost me $3 and 30 minutes of my time.

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/ParkLamp.htm

[63burban]

Check the wiring at the switch, sounds like you may have the tail lifgts on the same terminal as the parking lights. Do your dash lights work in both park and headlight function ? Dash lights come on with the tail light circuit.

[1966chevy]

Sound like the switch is working properly as the headlights, running lights are working in front. Check your ground to the bed. It happened to me a couple months ago. I replaced all my bed pads and then the lights went on the blink. I had to ground the bed to the frame and everything went back to normal. Grounds will cause some strange stuff with lighting. Good luck!

[TexasSixtyFourSW]

Thanks for all the ideas - I will be trying them over the Turkey holiday

Hope you all have a good one with your families

Thanks
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[tincan1966]

Before buying a bunch of different parts to throw at it. Check the harness connections, there's one at the firewall, in the trans tunel area directly behind the engine, has 3 or 4 wires-yellow, dark green, light green(if you have back up lights) and brown.
do you have 12V there with the lights "on"?(on the brown wire)
If not the problem is between there and the switch.Did you check the fuse?
Tail lights, and dash lights are together on same fuse.
If you do have power there, then move rearward to the connector at the back of the bed, on rear crossmember.
If nothing here, your problem is betwee the front connector and the rear. Hard/brittle/broken wires along the frame are not uncommon
Electrical repair on these trucks is not complicated. Have to realize, if it's original, the wires are 50+ years old.
The most common fault these trucks have is very poor grounding to the tail lights and the hood mounted park lamps.

Good luck, hope all this info offered by everyone is not too overwhelming.

[bj383ss]

I just fixed this problem on my truck. I put a new headlight switch, brake stop switch and rewired from the middle harness to each tailight. Grounded each tailight to the same location. I had running lights, and turn signals(so I new both filaments were good) but only one brake light. My problem was the the yellow and green wires were switched where the hook to the middle harness. Flipped them and everything works great. PO messed this part up.

But my Headlight switch, brake stop switch, dimmer switch, voltage regulator and one of my headlights low beams was out. So I had to replace alot.

Texassixtyfoursw I am just north of you in Leander we need to meet up sometime.

Bret

[Bearcamp]

I would pull the switch out all the way til the headlights are on then go to the back with a 12 v test light and see if any wires are hot. If not check how you have the headlight switch wired. Turn lights on and see what wires are hot at the back of the switch, should be 2. Let us know how you make out.

[TexasSixtyFourSW]

Originally Posted by ACK

This should answer how to fix this, just pick your year truck. I did it a couple of weeks ago and it cost me $3 and 30 minutes of my time.

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/ParkLamp.htm

That is a great page-thanks for the link

[TexasSixtyFourSW]

Originally Posted by Bearcamp

I would pull the switch out all the way til the headlights are on then go to the back with a 12 v test light and see if any wires are hot. If not check how you have the headlight switch wired. Turn lights on and see what wires are hot at the back of the switch, should be 2. Let us know how you make out.

Thats a great idea - I was thinking that there would have to be two hot wires.

I am going to work on it this weekend and let y'all know how it plays out

Thanks

[63ChevC10]

Some great advice here! Good luck with it! Hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving!

[eastxbbqman]

Running into wiring probs can make you crazy! Po rewired my 66 sort-of. The wires coming out of the firewall have wire-nuts on them. Front parking lamps come on when the brakes are applied. Loads of fun!!!!!!