Tailight Converter help!! I'm bummed out..
 

We are almost finished with a restoration of a 91' build Shell Valley with a 429, and we can't figure out the tailights.. We have the single bulb dual elements and I can't make the tailight converters work. I have plenty of electrical and restoration experience but I am bummed out on this one. We have the Shell Valley Painless wiring and there was a tailight converter installed on the original build that we tried to re-use. We tried to make that converter work, but with no success so we bought a new one from auto-zone. 5 wire in (White=Grnd/ Red=Stop Light/ Yellow=L Turn/ Grn=R Turn/ Brn=Running Lights) 4 wire out (White=Grnd/ Yellow=L Turn/ Grn= R Turn/ Brn=Running Lights). The painless wiring fuse box has flasher relays (2 of them) on the fuse block but the motorhead at the shop said that is for emergency flashers not for the turn signals so we needed another converter. I have had the same luck with the new converter as the old one (NONE). The only thing that works is the rear running lights, they are the only thing that goes through the converter the rest of the wires get power up to the converter but not out the other side. None of the tailights or signals work. We have the wires in right, it's self explainitory, but it doesn't work so now he is saying that we need a "Powered" tailight converter. What am I doing wrong?? Is there a tailight converter designed for this type of application/ our Cobra's??

not sure what you are referring to when you say a "taillight converter" if you have a turnsignal switch, power to it and a flasher relay that is all that is needed to make a light blink, try any auto wiring diagram it will have the same amount of wires copy it and they will work. or am i missing something, is this some voodoo lucas setup? like the zenon diode or what?(triumph jargon)

fred :confused:

Contact Dana @ Shell Valley

toll free # is 888-246-0900

I had the same problem and ended up making a backing plate for the lucas lense that used two bulbs.

Doesn't sound right, the two relays are for cutting over the L/R lamp circuits from the brake switch to the signal flasher pot. (relays being activated by the turn signal switch position)

If you also have emergency flashers an additional set of relays would be needed or a double pole double throw switch with an additional flasher pot.

This can be difficult to trace out unless your experienced with electrical systems. Might be best to seek out a shop that specializes in auto electrical systems.

Double check your ground potential at each light, do you have a good ground? The single bulb should be a double filament (#1157) by memory so double check that number. I have seen a single element bulb pushed in the socket but it would not make proper contact. Walk away for a little while and then go back with a clear mind, I mean not frustrated. Good luck. It will come together for ya.

Bulbs;

1157 = Dual Filament
1156 = Single Filament

ground from tail lamp housing to chassis is essential.

This is common on FFR's that use a toggle switch to operate the turn signals. You are correct in that a powered converter is required. These converters are normally used when connecting a trailer to a vehicle that doesn't have a compatible taillamp configuration. Post you question over on ffcobra and someone that's done it will advise you on the correct hookup.