The Ford Barn

sallyhelms · 08-08-2024, 03:00 AM

I have been having an intermittent problem with my left brake light on my 53 Club Coupe. All other lights work properly, but the left brake light only works some of the time. I have changed the bulb, brake light switch, checked connections and the ground; the head light, parking light, turn signal works on the left rear even when the brake light doesn't work. I was advised that the problem was the turn signal switch (original). I purchased a replacement switch from Dennis Carpenter but the wiring instructions are NOT understandable (new switch wires don't correspond with the original factory wires). Need help, Thanks!

glennpm · 08-08-2024, 05:36 AM

From Vanpelt's site
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...wiring1953.jpg

38 coupe · 08-09-2024, 05:48 AM

I was not impressed with the quality of replacement turn signal switches a few years ago. I carefully took the original apart and cleaned it. You can carefully bend the tabs back enough on the covers to disassemble things. I cleaned everything up inside, used a bit of dielectric grease, and put it back together. I then soldered on reproduction wiring. If I was to do it again I would splice the reproduction wiring rather than soldering directly to the switch, it was difficult to do and my hands aren't as steady as they were a decade ago.

rotorwrench · 08-09-2024, 10:56 AM

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Condition of switch contacts and condition of wiring are both concerns. Attend to the easy one first and if that doesn't fix it then check the wires from the BL switch to the TS switch and from the TS switch to the affected rear light socket. Ratty wiring can become intermittent but it is usually somewhere where it can be moved or bumped that it starts breaking down. I hope your car has the vinyl wire insulation. The old cloth covered stuff is a PITA.

I look for NOS turn switches or I repair the old ones. The new stuff is problematic.

08-08-2024, 03:00 AM	#1
sallyhelms Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Posts: 1	53 Ford turn signal wiring diagram I have been having an intermittent problem with my left brake light on my 53 Club Coupe. All other lights work properly, but the left brake light only works some of the time. I have changed the bulb, brake light switch, checked connections and the ground; the head light, parking light, turn signal works on the left rear even when the brake light doesn't work. I was advised that the problem was the turn signal switch (original). I purchased a replacement switch from Dennis Carpenter but the wiring instructions are NOT understandable (new switch wires don't correspond with the original factory wires). Need help, Thanks! __________________ slope game Last edited by sallyhelms; 08-08-2024 at 10:49 PM.

08-08-2024, 05:36 AM	#2
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 2,815	Re: 53 Ford turn signal wiring diagram From Vanpelt's site http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...wiring1953.jpg __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat's Notes Techno-Source-for-the-1932-thru-1953-Flathead-Ford Last edited by glennpm; 08-08-2024 at 05:42 AM.

08-09-2024, 05:48 AM	#3
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,042	Re: 53 Ford turn signal wiring diagram I was not impressed with the quality of replacement turn signal switches a few years ago. I carefully took the original apart and cleaned it. You can carefully bend the tabs back enough on the covers to disassemble things. I cleaned everything up inside, used a bit of dielectric grease, and put it back together. I then soldered on reproduction wiring. If I was to do it again I would splice the reproduction wiring rather than soldering directly to the switch, it was difficult to do and my hands aren't as steady as they were a decade ago.

08-09-2024, 10:56 AM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,411	Re: 53 Ford turn signal wiring diagram Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Condition of switch contacts and condition of wiring are both concerns. Attend to the easy one first and if that doesn't fix it then check the wires from the BL switch to the TS switch and from the TS switch to the affected rear light socket. Ratty wiring can become intermittent but it is usually somewhere where it can be moved or bumped that it starts breaking down. I hope your car has the vinyl wire insulation. The old cloth covered stuff is a PITA. I look for NOS turn switches or I repair the old ones. The new stuff is problematic.