This is my first FirstGen car so I'm learning slowly. I'm working on the tail lights and side markers on my 69 bird. I've got some kind of grounding issue because the tail lights stay on even when the car is off. Also the side markers light up when I turn the lights on but they do not flash with the blinkers. Are they supposed to flash? I always thought they should. A little background info... I just pulled my dash and gauges because NOTHING was working except the passenger side blinkers (excluding the side markers) I have a rally cluster installed (I don't think the car was ordered with one....at least it's not listed on the PHS sheet) Someone hooked up some aftermarket gauges with temp and oil pressure. I'd like to remove them and hook up the rally pack.

Anyways any help on the wiring would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

The side markers do not flash, at least on a 68, but pretty sure not on a 69 either. If the lights stay on after the car is off and switch is definately good then there are some power issues, something is not hooked up right. A ground would keep them from working, but not keep them on.

Are you sure it's the tail lights that are on and not the stop lights? Sometimes the switch on the upper part of the brake pedal needs to be adjusted so the stop lights cancel when you let off the brake.
The side marker lights don't flash in the back with the turn signals. Can't remember if the fronts do.
Can't help with the rally gauges. Too many varibles and unknowns.

Sidemarkers do not flash. I would look at the tail lights as Robert mentioned.The brake pedal if off on the switch will keep it depressed and will keep the lights on.Have a friend watch the tail lights as you pull up on the brake pedal and see if they go out.If this is the case,the switch or the pedal itself may need adjustment.
It is possible if they were not ordered with the car,someone swapped them out and did not bother to get the proper harness for the factory rally gauges.

BTW, welcome aboard FGF!

David

Thanks for the help. I haven't decided if my headlight switch is good. I may have a problem there as well. I'll check the brake lights this evening. However, the side markers stay on as well. Do the side markers come on with brake lights?

Thanks,
Ron

If your certain the car was ordered without the rally cluster, and you have a rally cluster, there is a way to change a non-rally wire harness to the rally. It's a very simple wire swap on the plug for the instrument pod. I think the brown wire needs to be moved to a different pin location on the plug. Search the archives, I know the info is here. Also remember, the correct sender units are needed for the factory gauges to work properly.

Both front and rear side markers are on the same circuit ans the front and rear lamps, not the brake or turn signals. As stated by others, check the adjustment of the brake switch for the lights staying on. If the side markers and front/rear lamps are staying on with the switch off, there may be a faulty light switch.

I don't understand how but I did get my lights functioning correctly. I think it was the headlight switch as was suggested. Thanks for the help.
Yesterday I started working on my front parking / blinking lights. Do they reproduce the rubber sockets that plug onto the lights? Both of them seem to have some issues. I know that have to replace several of the sockets on the tail lights already.

Thanks,
Ron

Ron, I haven't had to do any work on my front parking/turn signal lamps (thank goodness). I know the housings are now in repop form, so the harness is most likely.

As for the replacement of rear sockets, you'll be better off replacing the whole harness IMO. I spent more time and money than I like chasing problems down by just replacing sockets. I finally shelled out for the rear harness and have been trouble free since. Yes it's expensive, but what isn't with automotive restoration?

I haven't seen the rubber sockets repo'd anywhere. I bought a new front harness and they did come as part of that assembly.