cowl and rear lights

[Kenjt]

The previous owner of my 1931 deluxe roadster installed a turn signal. I noticed that right rear light does not work which I assume is just the easily replaced bulb. I thought the cowl lights would also be controlled by the turn signal but they do not light at all. They also don't light when I turn on the headlights, in either position. Could this also be because the bulbs need replacing or did the previous owner just mess up the wiring?

[gtovet49]

If your wiring is stock, your light switch should be -

first click left - cowl and tail lights
first click right - low beams with tail lights
second click right - high beams with tail lights
straight down - everything off

[woofa.express]

It's unusual that I drive my A at night. I did have an incident where I very nearly had a car run up the rear. Solution, I fixed a bicycle pulsating red light to the back. Problem solved and so cheaply. Even so it is still unusual for me to drive at night.

[stevemclark]

At 65 I cannot drive my plastic lens headlight cars at night but my model A glass sealed beam light behind the stock lens puts out plenty of light, I bought the conversion from J C Whitney for about $10 in 1970 something when I was in High School, they were the only parts source I knew then besides Ricks.I put a double filament LED bulb in my cowl light to keep the light and added turn signals to keep a stock look plus a right rear light and LED on both rear lights.I think the extra light helps, my brake light is yellow and I have not seen many like it.

[Patrick L.]

It's hard to answer since there is not much info to go.
The bulb[s] could be bad, but, not all at the same time.
The wiring could not be done right.
Most probably though is[are] poor grounds.

[Kenjt]

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Originally Posted by gtovet49

If your wiring is stock, your light switch should be -

first click left - cowl and tail lights
first click right - low beams with tail lights
second click right - high beams with tail lights
straight down - everything off

Thanks, I already tried that. The only light that comes on is the rear right. I just ordered new bulbs. Hope that fixes the problem and I don't have to check all the wiring - maybe it'll be something simply. But, somehow I have a feeling (like so many other issues) it'll become a big job.

[Patrick L.]

Just remove the bulbs, turn lights on and check for power at the terminals.

[rotorwrench]

Most cowl light set ups have a single wire at the light switch that connects to a small terminal with two wires on the other end that each connect to their corresponding cowl light fixtures. The right side lamp has the long cross over wire.

The ground for each fixture is the mounting bracket that secures to the body. For turn signals, each fixture has to be modified for a dual filament bulb. A person can use the two light feature of the headlamp for park lights and use the cowl lamps for turn signals or the other way around.

[JayJay]

If your steering box has not been rebuilt and the end plate with the extended tube has not been installed, consider that the lube inside of the steering box may have made its way into the light switch at the bottom. Grease and electrical connections in general are not compatible. So somewhere along the line consider pulling the electrical box off the bottom of the steering column and thoroughly cleaning all the electrical connectors, both on the part that rotates (upper part) and the part that has the wires connected to it (lower part, stationary within the connector). While you have it apart you can inspect all the wire connections to be sure one hasn't separated.

Probably goes without saying, but disconnect your battery before you do this as some of the terminals inside are energized even with the key off.

And also check all the push-type connectors along the way of the wires.

JayJay

[Kenjt]

It is strange that only one bulb works, both with the light switch and the turn signal switch. I hope that means that the wiring is good. I just ordered new bulbs. Hopefully all I need to do is replace the bulbs. I dread the idea that the wiring somehow got messed up. My mechanical did do some electrical work - I hope he didn't screw things up. I have a wiring diagram for cowl and rear lights with a turn signal. So, if I have to, I can check the wiring, or maybe get my mechanic to do the work.

[Patrick L.]

You don't have a test light ? Or a DVOM ? It's not hard. If you were close I'd come over.

[1931 flamingo]

Add a ground wire.
Paul in CT

[mergevacant]

You may test the terminals for power by simply turning on the lights without the bulbs in place.
coreball

[Kenjt]

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. As I mentioned, I purchased some replacement bulbs and changed the rear one that was not working and one of the cowl lights. Now, when I use the turn signal (either left or right) both the rear lights and the cowl lights work fine. What a relief!

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Kenjt

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. As I mentioned, I purchased some replacement bulbs and changed the rear one that was not working and one of the cowl lights. Now, when I use the turn signal (either left or right) both the rear lights and the cowl lights work fine. What a relief!

Easy fix this time, but don’t discount the value in getting familiar with your electrical system. It might not be so simple next time!

Glad you were successful. It’s nice to win one once in a while.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Kenjt

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. As I mentioned, I purchased some replacement bulbs and changed the rear one that was not working and one of the cowl lights. Now, when I use the turn signal (either left or right) both the rear lights and the cowl lights work fine. What a relief!

Good, glad it was such an easy fix