tail lights

[bugsyc]

I picked up a tail light harness from the junk yard.They said it was from a crown vic.I figured ok...This harness has 3 sockets and bulbs where ours have 2...I know there is a knock out on the bottom of the tail light for an additional light...But,the other side has the regular 2...If I cut off the third socket will it still work or no...I could add a third to the other side..Any electricians out there??? And yes I plugged it in before I bought it and all 3 lights work...

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

CrownVic.net has a good amount of info on this topic. I know I read you can convert our MMs to have an amber turn signal down there if you desired. I would check that site out.

[MyO4Rawdur]

Well as long as you can remove the third wire it will be fine. It might just be easier to get rid of the contact inside the connector that goes to the third one that way you dont have active wires.

[bugsyc]

I was thinking that if I removed the third socket,it wouldn't work.like if you put one bulb in a two socket harness it won't light...I was thinking either cut the socket wires and solder them to the corresponding wires in the harness or add a third socket to the other side,using the same method..connecting the 3 wires org/grn,brn,blk to the same colored wires further up the harness...I'm open to helpfull comments.I'll post results...bugsy

[MyO4Rawdur]

I was thinking that if I removed the third socket,it wouldn't work.like if you put one bulb in a two socket harness it won't light...I was thinking either cut the socket wires and solder them to the corresponding wires in the harness or add a third socket to the other side,using the same method..connecting the 3 wires org/grn,brn,blk to the same colored wires further up the harness...I'm open to helpfull comments.I'll post results...bugsy

If its a parallel circuit then the two lights would work. The only way it wouldnt work is if it was a series circuit. Tail lights are in parallel as far as I know. There being three sockets pretty much makes me believe its all parallel without looking at it. I would find where the third one starts and remove it from there. Assuming the connect at the beginning of it has three prongs I would go behind that connector and look where the third one connects to it and break that connection so that no power is put through there. If you have a better way to remove it then you can try that but I assume your best way would just be to get rid of it from the root so it doesnt use excessive voltage.

[bugsyc]

If its a parallel circuit then the two lights would work. The only way it wouldnt work is if it was a series circuit. Tail lights are in parallel as far as I know. There being three sockets pretty much makes me believe its all parallel without looking at it. I would find where the third one starts and remove it from there. Assuming the connect at the beginning of it has three prongs I would go behind that connector and look where the third one connects to it and break that connection so that no power is put through there. If you have a better way to remove it then you can try that but I assume your best way would just be to get rid of it from the root so it doesnt use excessive voltage.
I really appreciate you trying to help me out.I'm going to try out your suggestions and hopefully get these fixed...Next stop is an auto electrical mechanic...bugsy

[fastblackmerc]

I really appreciate you trying to help me out.I'm going to try out your suggestions and hopefully get these fixed...Next stop is an auto electrical mechanic...bugsy

How many wires are in the socket that you want to cut off? If there are 3 wires (turn signal power, stop light power and ground) you can cut the socket out.

If there are 2 wires for the turn signal power, 2 wires for the stop light power and 2 wires for the ground then after you cut out the connector you need to connect the wires to each other.

In a previous post I asked if you checked the connector that the harness plugs into. If the harness works out of the car and doesn't work when connected in the car then it might be an issue with connector.

Also try running a separate wires from the "good" socket to the one that doesn't work.

[bugsyc]

The sockets have 3 wires..org/gn,brn.bl...If I disconnect present harness and plug new 3 socket in,all 3 lights on new harness work...So,3 wire socket can just be cut off????Thinking of keeping it and adding a third to the other side...You showed me the knockout disc on the bottom of the tail light ....for a third light..

[fastblackmerc]

The sockets have 3 wires..org/gn,brn.bl...If I disconnect present harness and plug new 3 socket in,all 3 lights on new harness work...So,3 wire socket can just be cut off????Thinking of keeping it and adding a third to the other side...You showed me the knockout disc on the bottom of the tail light ....for a third light..

Yes the socket can be cut off if there are only 3 wires going it. If there are 6 wires going to the socket you can cut the socket off but will need to connect the wires to each other.

You can add 2 more lights per side.

[bugsyc]

I took my var to a mechanic who is well versed in electronics...Could not figure out how to get my led tail lights to work properly..Gave up after 2 1/2 hours...Either 3 work or they light with headlights and no signals or,or,or...I guess I'm stuch with OEM tail light bulbs....