I have brand new rear marker lights that do not want to light. I touched the bulb holder to the tail light housing stud and it lights. I realize that this means I have no ground from the marker back housing to the rear quarter. I was planning on just making up a little ground wire to go from the marker housing to the tail light stud. Anyone see any problems with this idea?
Concur, I suspect your problem is at the asemmbly itself because it is doubtful the panel itself isn't grounded. A new wire or removing some paint inside the trunk at the assembly would also work.
I believe the rear marker light housing has little "teeth" built into it. So as you tighten the assembly, the teeth bite through the paint or trunk coating to make a ground connection. (and form a nice place for rust to start )
You may be able to slightly wiggle the assembly back and forth to 'scratch' the finish.
If you have repop marker lights, the assembly may be different alltogether.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
The bulb socket grounds to the marker light housing and the grounds to the Qtr. Some portion of the housing must come in contact with bare steel. Did you spray the inner Qtr? Wire from housing to anything grounded will work otherwise.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
They are orginal housings. I did spray the inside of the quarters with body schutz. The ground wires will be the way I am going to go. Can't bring myself to scratch up the quarters.
Just got a package from NPD with nice shiney new stainless wiper arms and blades! Woohoo....
I had problems with my tail lights in my 69....first I changed to metal sockets (Fords fit) and then hard wired ground for ea light....now sockets/bulbs dont fall out and they stay lit....(until a bulb burns out).... so, yes I think grounding them with extra wire would work.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
This is a picture I got from Jimc2002 which shows the piece you need.
Originally Posted By Jimc2002
1968 400 Coupe, verdoro green, black vinyl top 1968 400 Convertible, verdoro green, black top 1971 Trans Am, cameo white, auto 1970 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 350-4(driver)
Is there anywhere to buy the rear marker light socket and single wire? I've found American Auto Wire and their harness appears to have the right socket but I don't need the whole thing. Thanks