Need help mapping tail lights

[durtkillon]

I've got a 72 teener with tail light problems. I think the previous owner has all the wiring switched around at the tail lights. Is there somebody who can tell me the purpose of each light from left to right on the right rear (passenger rear) tail light? Starting with the reverse light on the left, what are the rest for?

I have reviewed the electrical diagrams, but they do not match the stamping in the plastic on my tail lights. The diagrams label only three of the connections (54, 58 and 49R). My tail lights are labled with 54, 58, R, RF and 31. It appears the 31 connection is for the ground. The rest are somwhat of a mystery.

The wire colors to my tail light are BK/GR, BR, BK/YL, GR/RD and GR/BR.

Two of the lights are jumpered together. What is their function?

[red-beard]

The best thing to do is to use the 1971 color wiring diagram.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/parts/Electrical/electrical_1971a.htm

James

[durtkillon]

I tried the wiring diagram. It's terrible. Only three of the five wires are labeled at the termination point. The labels that are provided are so poorly drawn that I can't tell which wire terminates where. For example, there are two wires and a number between them. Which one does it terminate at?

I'm able to trace the wires back to the appropriate relay or switch, so I understand the funtion of the wire, but it's not clear where they terminate (i.e. which bulb does the wire go to). If I can understand the function of each bulb, I can fix it. The reverse light is self explanitory, but what bulbs go on when you turn on the lights, brakes or flasher. This is what I need help with.

[Mikee]

Buy a test light kit. thats all i can reccomend from here my car is on the other side of town along with my manuals.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

From my files, sent by "Box-ter" Bill:

It might not be such a bad idea to post this somewhere accessible, 'cause I
sure couldn't figure it out from the schematic. (DD? Pelican? Somebody?)

Anyhow......the letter/number denotes the terminal on the taillight
housing.....the first color is the main insulation color, and the color
after
the "/" is the stripe. Make some allowances for ancient wires that may be
discolored (ie: imagination may be in order)

Left taillight
L = Black/white
31 = Brown
58 = White/black
54 = Black/yellow (two wires)
RF = Gray/brown

Right taillight
R = Black/green
31 = Brown
58 = White/red
54 = Black/yellow
RF = Gray/brown

--DD