How Should Tail Lights Look When Lights Turned On

[lazabby]

I was helping a friend last night connect the side markers to the turn signals so that they'll blink with the turn signals. We noticed that on my car, when the lights are turned on the middle red tail lights are on PLUS the amber turn signals. The amber lights aren't blinking unless I use the turn signal but they are on when the lights are on. In my friend's car, only the middle red lights are on. I have an '83 he had an '81. We couldn't figure out why our cars are different. Was a modification done to my car at some point? I will point out that I have LEDs and he has regular incandescent bulbs but I can't think that it would have made a difference.

[Jonathan]

The way I understood it, was that the left and right side tail lights work the same, just mirror images of each other. There are 5 bulbs per tail light to consider.

So, the inside light (closest to the license place) is your reversing light (and is a white lense). These only come on when in reverse.

The two red middle lights which could be called "2 and 4" of the 5 are your braking lights and would only come on when you press the brake pedal.

The red light in the dead centre (light number 3), is your running light. It should be on anytime you have your headlights on. In fact, I believe if you press the headlight switch one click, all 4 side marker lights come on (two orange up front and two red in the rear quarters) AND that middle #3 red tail light comes on. If you press the headlight switch a second time, all those lights just mentioned stay on AND the headlights come on. Press the headlight switch again to turn it all off.

The 5th tail light is the one on the outside edge of each side and is your orange turn signal light. If your car's electrical system hasn't been modified, they should only come on when you switch your turn signal stalk left or right respectively. At that same time then the front orange lights under the headlights would come on left or right. If you press the hazard switch on the centre console, all 4 orange lights will flash intermittently.

That's how I understand the car's exterior lights are supposed to work. Sorry for the flare for the obvious, I just reread your post and saw that you wondered if your car had been modified :) Anywho, there it is just in case anyone was wondering.

[lazabby]

My lights act exactly as you describe except the turn signal lights also light up when the lights are on. Strange. I'm not sure what modification was done to make them do that.

[sdg3205]

My lights act exactly as you describe except the turn signal lights also light up when the lights are on. Strange. I'm not sure what modification was done to make them do that.

That's not typical. Modern cars often utilize ambers for day time running lights now, but not DeLoreans. Shouldn't be too tough to find the reason if it bothers you.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The amber signal lights should not be on without a signal or 4 way selected. What is happening to yours with LEDs is the LEDs are getting powered via your signal modification through the side lights.

You can verify by installing an incandescent bulb.

[WelmoedJ]

I was helping a friend last night connect the side markers to the turn signals so that they'll blink with the turn signals. We noticed that on my car, when the lights are turned on the middle red tail lights are on PLUS the amber turn signals. The amber lights aren't blinking unless I use the turn signal but they are on when the lights are on. In my friend's car, only the middle red lights are on. I have an '83 he had an '81. We couldn't figure out why our cars are different. Was a modification done to my car at some point? I will point out that I have LEDs and he has regular incandescent bulbs but I can't think that it would have made a difference.

Bitsyncmaster is correct in his answer.
When we installed LEDs in the front unit (double 'filament') and directional tail light, when turning on the parking or main lights the tail directional lights also lit.
That's because you have the front side marker also working as directional light (ground wire to the dir signal of the front unit).
That's feeding back into the main light circuit.

Annexed you will find a diagram on how to connect the side marker via a relay and some compontents to make it work as with incandescant bulbs.
This setup works with both incandescant and LED bulbs.

10359

[lazabby]

My friend likes the setup. After further discussion today we decided the same things discussed above. We're going to leave the setup as is.

[dmc6960]

My friend likes the setup. After further discussion today we decided the same things discussed above. We're going to leave the setup as is.

?!?!?!?

Amber lights in the rear should NEVER be lit unless for directional indication. US DOT regulation. If you keep it like that your going to attract the attention of your local law enforcement. I suggest fixing it.

[Farrar]

Amber lights in the rear should NEVER be lit unless for directional indication. US DOT regulation. If you keep it like that your going to attract the attention of your local law enforcement. I suggest fixing it.

+1 -- easy way to get a ticket.

[jawn101]

I saw some jackass on the road today driving a Chrysler 300 with blacked-out taillight lenses. He had modified (which indicates intent, more likely he had *screwed up*) the wiring so the amber lights came on as brake lights and the turn signals were red.

I thought "man, that guy is gonna have the CHP so far up his ass he'll taste their hair gel" :)

I'd fix the lights if I were your friend!

[Citizen]

I was helping a friend ...[snip]

Funny how it always happens to a friend...

Ar Ar....jk....(sorry)