Wiring problems (License plate lamp)

[kcackler]

I just finished replacing most of the bulbs on the new truck, but one of them was refusing to work (The license plate lamp). So I got under the truck to see what the deal was and saw a nice mess of a wiring job. I've got one loose wire, coincidentally the wire just happens to belong to the license plate lamp....But I've got no idea where it should be connected to. I've got some pictures, so please help if you can.

I need to know if the wiring looks fairly standard (aside from being cut up, that is), and where the black license plate lamp wire goes.

Thanks in advance.

Kevin

PICTURES:

http://thecacklers.com/wiring/1.jpg
http://thecacklers.com/wiring/2.jpg

[Prerunner1982]

It can be wired into your tail lights. The light should also be self grounding. Where it went from the factory? I dont know. But the license plate light is an easy circuit to hook up.

[kcackler]

I've currently got it wired into the tail lights as a temporary fix, but I'd really like to have it wired up like the factory intended.

Thanks for the tip.

[maxreps]

Had a similar problem on my recently acquired '76... although there wasn't even a light on mine. So to minimize the possibility of giving LEO's anything to stop me for I decided to put on on it. When doing so I found that PO's had hacked at the wiring a bit. I did see a dangling butt connector that I presumed was the one that went to the plate light. It was connected to the supply wire for one of the taillights. So I cleaned everything up and wired it that way. It makes sense, is simple and I really can't see the factory doing it any other way back in those days.

[kcackler]

I guess it works for me then. Now to go find other wiring oddities throughout this thing

[84 400]

here is a factory picture from Chucks website. Course it is on a fleet but it is the same for steppers.

[84 400]

here is a factory picture from Chucks website. Course it is on a fleet but it is the same for steppers.

[kcackler]

Absolutely beautiful...Thank you so much.

And very informative website there, too. Added to my bookmarks.

[kcackler]

OK - Still having issues here. I've got everything wired up and everything is getting power like it should (The socket has a + charge when the lights are on). But when I put a bulb in the socket, I get nothing. Take the bulb out, test the socket with a test light, and it's got a + charge. Try a different bulb - Same thing. No light at all. (The tail lights are still working just fine - Just the license plate bulb refuses to come on)

Any ideas anyone? I don't know what could possibly cause this to happen - The socket has a charge, but the bulb still won't light. Any ideas at all would be appreciated here.

[Rupdog]

is your lamp housing grounded?

[kcackler]

It's touching the metal bumper, but things are so rusty it's possible it doesn't have a proper ground. I'm sure that's what's going on.

[kcackler]

The problem is indeed a bad ground. What is the preferred way to ground the housings? If I take out all of the rust on the housings, bumper, and screws, will that be sufficient, or should I simply run a ground wire for both housings to the frame?

[JohnC]

I would probably just clean the rust from around the hole in the bumper, and around it, and that would be fine. Maybe spray something on there to help protect it from future rust.