Hi Guys,
I need to repair some turn signal and brake lights on the 1956 Holiday Rambler. The lights on it are orignal and I think they need replaced. I don't think the orignal lights work. I was thinking of buying a trailer turn signal kit to run new turn/brake signal lights. Is there any way to place these in where the old lights are? I don't know if this is possible because I wasn't sure if I would have to get into the orignal siding. Or would it be better to just mount new lights all around? Any help is wonderful.
I do this a lot on clients trailers. Don't bother buying a kit, fix what you have.
Even at near 60 years, if the lenses are good, the lights are probably still good, they just need cleaning so that good contact to the bulbs is maintained. Even if the lenses are bad, they used very common truck parts and if a real car parts store can't find a replacement, go someplace that does truck work. Unless this unit was in a hurricane on the coast (drenched in sea water) the wires and lamps are still salvageable. This will actually be easier than replacing the entire assemblies.
My advice (free advice may not be worth what it costs)
First, hook up to the tow vehicle and make sure the lights don't work.
if they do or not, this is probably worth doing
Take the lenses off, and get the bulbs out. They may be nasty and corroded.
Now, this is kind of important, push a finger into the socket and feel that the spring for the contacts is still good. If you can't feel that, then it is at least new lamp socket time and that is a new ball game. If there is a good spring, keep going with this plan.
Go to a hardware store with the 1157 bulb in your hand and get a wire brush used for cleaning copper pipe fittings that will be the size to clean the socket, also get a piece of "scotchbrite" to clean the bulbs. Then go to any autoparts store and buy a tube of di-electric grease.
When you get back, use the scotchbrite to clean the bulb bases and be sure to clean the contacts on the bottom.
Now, use the wire brush to clean inside the socket. If you have to bend it to do this, go ahead, it's your brush and this is what it is for.
When the sides of the socket are clean, tear off a small piece or the scotchbrite and put it in the socket and use the brush to push and move it to clean the contacts in the bottom.
Now, put the bulbs back in (do not put lenses on), hook to the tow vehicle and check all the light functions. Hopefully they are good now. If one side is right and the other is not, swap the bulbs side for side - nothing said you can't have a bad bulb. Before you put the lenses back on. Coat the bulb bases with the di-electric grease. This will keep them from corroding again and put the lenses back on.
If you when you check the light functions, you have some, but they are strange, this is usually a bad ground. Try cleaning where the light assembly mounts and check the plug to the tow vehicle. If that does not get it. follow the wires back to where the white wire is screwed to the frame. Take that apart and clean it.
You have just read what it takes to fix 95% of trailer light problems.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dog going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
If you do end up replacing everything check with etrailer.com. They have all the necessary trailer lights and things you will need to do the change-over.
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS
POPUP PHOTOs-Pg52-Pg56
Offline
.JPG)
