VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Adding Turn Signals

I am new to this Forum although not new to Chat as I have been using the 37 - 42 Forum for 10 years. I just purchased a '48 Fleetline Coupe (don't have it in my possession yet) that, while having been restored, does not have turn signals. I have added turn signals to other cars, but I have a question regarding the rear lights on the '48. I do not want to add any auxiliary lights but use the existing ones. As I recall, there are two functions on the existing tail lights; lights (running and parking use same element) and brake lights which use a second element. For the turn signal, do I just tap into one of those elements and if so, which one, or do I have to add a second bulb somehow? I already have a simple switch with wires for; front, rear, left, right, and power so whatever I have to do should not be all that complicated. I imagine I will need more help with this car once I have it at my home and all help will be greatly appreciated. Beamer

The brake light is also used for the turn signal.

J.D. is right...I don't know which signal unit your planning on using but if you Google "Signal Stat", they'll supply you with a wiring diagram...At least it will help you get an understanding how all the lights in back get hooked up...

Here's a simple diagram which should help. Yes, you use the brake light filament as the turn signal.



Good luck!

It'll be fun...And we always have room for one more...smiles

Thanks everyone for all your help. It is great to feel accepted into the Forum and I look forward to all your help in the future. I have the wiring diagram but what had me puzzled was doing the physical connection to the correct wire. I have since found the answer and that is to replace the rear sockets with ones having an appropriate number of pigtail wires. I can just tap into the front lights and use the same bulb for both functions, parking light and turn signal. I will replace the rear sockets with ones that have 3 wires which allow the brake light to function as a turn signal and still have a functioning tail light. I knew about these multi-wire sockets but guess I just didn't make the connection of what they were really for (no pun intended). Any comments on this approach?Beamer

Welcome, and best of luck with the signals project. Just for reference, what model turn signal switch are you installing?

I don't know how many turn sigal switches were available but I beleive the correct switch for the 48 is a Guide 6002,the color should be same as the steering mast"med.dark brown...I have a few of the after market models but finally found the correct switch.I have seen a few Guide 6002's come up on e-bay recently...Going price is between $100.-200.

What 3 wire socket are you considering? You only need a 2 wire socket for the 1154 bulb. This is for 6 volt. The bulb has 2 contacts at the base and off set tangs for the socket. One wire is the tail light and the other is the brake/turn signal wire. I just added a turn signal I got from The Filling Station. The one with the emergency flashing unit.

Don't think that you can use your single filament parking light bulb with turn signals.

Part #986514 "Self Canceling Turn Signal" in the 1952 Accessories Installation Manual shows the parking light single contact socket replaced with a double contact socket.
"Remove parking lamp bulbs, sockets and wires, and replace with those furnished in package"

Part #986514 has a seven-wire turn signal switch.

< CLICK > Figure 183
< CLICK > Complete turn signal installation

- Lonnie

Update to my post --

You might be able to use your single filament parking lights with a turn signal switch. However, you will probably have a hard time finding one.

Jesse Hollins patented a Directional Signal System in 1953 that used the existing single filament parking lights. I've never seen a one. Don't know if similar signals were available in 1948. Later patents used double filament bulbs.
< CLICK > Hollins 1953 patent #2652553
< CLICK > Jesse R. Hollins' family created the Signal-Stat Corporation.

Just for kicks and giggles, here is some more trivial turn signal info ...

Other signal patents by Jesse Hollins:
#2562273, 1951
#2607840, 1952
#2607864, 1952
#2667603, 1954
#2692981, 1954
#2812396, 1954
#2825045, 1958
#2886743, 1959
Patent info available at Google Patents

Earlier switches used separate lamps:

John Volker patented a turn signal using separate lamps in 1949
< CLICK > Volker 1949 patent #2458323

Joseph Bell patented a turn signal using separate lamps in 1938.
< CLICK > Bell 1938 patent #2122508

- Lonnie

It can be convenient to do so up front...If you don't mind losing the parking lights...

That's just too easy!
- Lonnie

Kieth, Did you just tap into the existing wire harness and splice the turn signal wire to the brake light wire? Beamer

Keith...What's happening with the turn-signal, when the brakes are being applied...? Or, does the turn-signal only "flash" UNTIL you step on the brakes...?

How's the wiring project coming...? I was still hoping to drive on up to see you, before it starts raining...! Kevin

The turn signals work the same as on a modern car. Check it out.

Since the turn signal is part of the brake light, when the turn signal is activated and you step on the brakes, whatever turn signal is flashing keeps on flashing, and the brake light on the opposite side goes on.

Thanks, J.D. Between your explanation, and Wally's wiring diagram...I can see how that should work. Now, as far as modern goes...My other vehicles stop and turn signals are in different parts of the lens assembly and bulbs entirely...

Modern cars for the dog are in the 1980s or maybe the 90s.

Guide 6002 directional signals come in various configurations. The correct one for a '48 only has a red light on the face. It does not have the "R" and "L" indicators, which a lot of the 6002 switches have. If you want to see a picture, go to Johnny's website, 1948chevy.com. Under the accessories tab, you'll find Directional signals. The ones I've seen are the lighter color with the painted arm, but I see he has some that are steering column color and some chrome arms.

Why wouldn't a single filament bulb such as in the front parking lights work on the same principle as the stop light filament. That is, when you have the turn signal actuated, that stop light filament then blinks while the other side remains bright. If you had the parking lights on (front) wouldn't the one blink while the other side stayed lit constantly? These lights are not connected to one another. My switch is an aftermarket and is called a 4 wire, two front and two rear, left and right. There is actually a fifth wire that goes to the flasher and thence to the power source. Beamer

Wrong Dippy Chippy: Modern cars for the dog are in the 1960's and 1970's.

Wait a second your confusing me...lol Now, your telling me there's already power the the single filament bulb and you want it to blink, too. Sounds a lot like what I was talking about before...Why would the brake light begin to "flash", when the brake light circut switch is "closed", as they say.
Well, for one, the brake lights aren't hooked up to the front...So, for sure you'll need double-filament bulbs up front...In the rear ( as it's been explained to me ) ...Between the stop-light switch, the dual-filament bulbs and the directional signal, one will stay on , while the other flash's...I suppose because the current is being re-routed...Note: In the diagram, the brake-light switch passes though the directional signal unit before heading off to the corresponding bulb to make this work...Am I making any sense, here...?

I have been really confused since the brake light switch entered the picture. I believe I have the front lights figured out. Put in new two-wire sockets and run one wire to the existing parking light wire and the second to the turn signal switch. Pretty simple. As for the rear, my original intent was to replace the two-wire socket with a three wire one and run one wire to the existing brake light wire, one to the existing tail light wire, and the third to the turn signal switch. I would still use the two filament bulb with one filament for the tail light and the other for the brakes and turn signal. Now I see that will not work because the brake light will light up whenever I push on the brake and with a constant hot wire, it doesn't appear as though the turn signal will make that filament blink. True? My turn signal switch is a Pathfinder with one wire for the left side, one wire for the right side, and two wires going to the flasher, hence a 4-wire switch. Power comes from a wire going from the flasher to a fuse holder which will be connected to a hot spot. I hooked up the one I have to lights I am going to use on my 38 and they work fine. Those are separate lights however and are for turn signals only. It appears I need a different switch, one that can be connected to the brake light switch, to be able to use the existing car lights. True?

True - you need a different turn signal switch (probably seven-wire) to be able to use your brake lights as rear turn signals.

Try to find an original near-date appropriate switch or a good reproduction.

- Lonnie

If you look back a couple of posts, you'll see THIS is what I've been droning on and on about...In the mean time, I just roll down the window and flail my arm about..Just like in "the good 'o days"...! lol Sorry, beamer I know that's not much help...I've got a Signal-Stat 900, that is seven wire...I'm only about half way getting it hooked up. I've stopped that project temperarally 'cause I've run into another problem...When I turn on the headlights, my brake-lights quit working...! Oh, boy...

If you do a "search", look for those posts about using a "ring of LED lights "stuffed" around the brake-lights ( observe the photo's )...Do you remember reading about that set-up...? They did it that way because otherwise the turn signal light wouldn't be bright enough...The problem there is, we may not have the room to do that...Still, that looks to be one solution to "our" problem...

I reviewed all the posts before I posted my latest one and I did not see anything that really answered the questions I posed in it. Maybe I am more confused than I think!!! In any case, my brother-in-law in FL is sending me a different turn signal switch. Unfortunately, when he removed it from the car, he just cut all the wires about 8" from the switch. I will look at it when it comes but will probably just have to get a new and proper one. Beamer

I thought you had it all under control Beamer but to re-cap:


Yup - just be mindful of the pigtail indexing.
Most new sockets are designed for off-set pin bulbs just like the old sockets in the rear.
Since the bulb only goes in the socket one way, it's important the correct feed wire be connected to the correct pigtail wire.

Seven Wire and Four Wire T/S switches both require the two front lamps to have proprietary T/S filaments.
The parking light wiring stays exactly the same, except now are run to the low candle power filaments of your new # 1154 bulbs (or # 1158 using the original sockets with new dual pigtails).
Two wires, a Left and a Right, go from the T/S switch to the high candle power filaments.
It's either that or disable the parking light feature and use # 87 single filament bulbs in the original front sockets.

The Seven Wire units 'share' the brake light filaments.
The Seven Wire T/S lever automatically changes the feed to one of the rear brake lights, from the brake light switch to the flasher unit.
When the signal is cancelled the brake lights function as per usual.
The same 'principle' could apply up front but it's not worth all the required extra redesigning inside of the T/S switch.

Now keep in mind this Seven Wire information is about the new ones readily available with a 4-way hazard switch.
Originals and older models may vary and/or require rebuilding.

With all the inputs and info provided through this thread, I believe I have a handle on installing turn signals. My thanks to all. Beamer