Grounds for exterior lights?

[Ian]

I'm tearing into the wiring on our "new" '66 COmpact to get the original lights to work. The original lighting isn't even connected anymore, from what I can tell.

So I really have 2 questions.

1. Does the wiring for the original lights (2 tail and 2 running) just run under the trailer? I see 3 wires poking out from the rear of the trailer that were cut. I assume if I reconnect them I'll be closer to having those lights working again.

2. Grounds. Where are the lights grounded, through the body? Which then grounds to the chassis?

I believe grounds are the biggest issue I'm facing during testing, so surprise as it's the same with old Italian cars too.

Thanks!
Ian

[Ian]

Update: I cleaned up the ground on the frame of the trailer, reconnected the original wiring, and voila! The lights work! Now I just need to clean them up, get correct lenses for them, and reattach.

There are also aftermarket lights on the bumper that I plan to replace, as they don't match. But I got one of them working.

As with old Italian cars, it's all about the grounds!

[Bow_Tied]

Congrats! Yes, the grounds are a pita, it was a cheap out to ground through the body. If I ever redo my trailer I will run grounds everywhere.

[Red Dirt]

I replaced my ground wire with a heavier gauge and cleaned up the metal on the contacts and it made life a lot easier.

X2 on the cheap out, but hey, they only cut a couple corners on these old things right... ;D

[accomandoscucina]

we are rebuilding a 62 with the same issues of wiring. did u end up running wires outside. it seems the original wires in ours were inside ( we gutted it to the tin). How did you make out ?

[Ian]

So far I've just cleaned up all the connections, put on a few new connectors, and the lights are working. A good ground on the frame is a must. If your skin is connected to the frame you'll be fine.

I just replaced the running lights this weekend, but basically just cut the old wire and crimped on the new light. I haven't tested it yet as I'm still working on the tail lights, but I'll try to get photos next time I'm out there.