Converting reversing lights to indicators

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Author Topic: Converting reversing lights to indicators  (Read 33460 times)

Offline bank1957

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Converting reversing lights to indicators
« on: May 13, 2015, 05:20:55 pm »
Looks like 64 1/2 mustangs don't like the new LED rear light setup that I installed. Works in the day time, but at night no blinkers at all.
Thus I thought about changing the rear reversing lights into blinkers, since my reversing switch is dead.

What's needed to do this, is it simple or do I get an auto electrician to do it?

Offline barnett468

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2015, 05:50:05 pm »
One way is this.

The wires for the back up lites go from the lite thru the lower trunk extension and you can see them come up inside the quarter panel in the trunk.

Locate those wires where they go into the harness under the trunk lip.

Go to the left tail lite assy and locate the green/orange wire that connects to the tail lite assy.

Cut that wire in half

Cut the left back up lite wire in half

Connect the wire that is attached to the back up lite to the green/orange wire that goes into the car, not the end that goes to the tail lite housing.


Go to the right tail lite assy and locate the orange/blue wire that connects to the tail lite assy.

Cut that wire in half

Cut the right back up lite wire in half

Connect the wire that is attached to the back up lite to the orange/blue wire that goes into the car, not the end that goes to the tail lite housing.

Have a cold, tasty.......yup...Fosters Lager!   :agree: . . :lmao:
« Last Edit: May 13, 2015, 05:57:33 pm by barnett468 »

Offline bank1957

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2015, 07:36:20 pm »
Thanks, and have a Bud on me!


Offline barnett468

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2015, 07:58:05 pm »
.
hmmm....decisions, decisions...



Offline shaunp

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2015, 08:06:30 pm »
As well as swapping the wires in the back you need to swap the location of both the reverse light switch and brake light switch, under the dash, you have to swap the entire circuit over, so that the reverse lights are now reverse and indicator and the brake lights are just brake lights.

Or take it to John Greene at Probe engineering in Wynnum

Offline barnett468

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2015, 08:19:11 pm »
As well as swapping the wires in the back you need to swap the location of both the reverse light switch and brake light switch, under the dash, you have to swap the entire circuit over, so that the reverse lights are now reverse and indicator and the brake lights are just brake lights.

Or take it to John Greene at Probe engineering in Wynnum

shaun . . he is not going to use the reverse lites because his reverse lite switch is bad so these will be blinkers only

Offline griff

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2015, 09:28:45 pm »
shaun . . he is not going to use the reverse lites because his reverse lite switch is bad so these will be blinkers only

I've been thru this all before, Shaun posted these instructions years back and prob a few times since.
Barnett that wiring mod knocks out your proper brake lights and in effect your 'reverse lights' now become brake/turn signal.
thats why you must do the crossover at the brake pedal switch as well, to separate the brake and turn signal from eachother.
Here's the mod:

- disconnect the reverse light bullet connector (black/red wire) that pokes out the top of the kick panel near fuses. tape off the female connector of that and tuck it away, as youll then join the new wire to the male connector.
cut the green wire at the stop light switch, tape off the end that goes into the loom, then extend the other short green tail from the switch with a new wire to that reverse light male connector (i made a new wire with bullet connectors for easy connection) This re-routes the brake light power rather than it going through the turn signal switch.
- at the tail lamps cut the orange/blue & green/orange brake&turn signal wires from their respective tail/brake lamp holders, connect them to the black/red wire that goes to their respective reverse light beneath. This will give you indicators in reverse lights.
connect the incoming black/red wires to those turn signal tails that were cut at the brake lamp holder. You now have brake lights. In case you wondered, the tail lamp signal is the plain black wire which remains unchanged.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2015, 09:48:54 pm by griff »
when a 3 month engine rebuild turns into 3 year bare metal resto.
you get that .....

Offline teacherspet

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2015, 08:19:00 am »
Frank, this is what I did with my '64 1/2. It already had the 3 bulb tail light setup when I bought it & the high temp red lens, but I wanted to use the "Aussie" version with the amber indicator lens which are not high temp & can't be used with the normal bulbs. To get around this I bought some LED bulbs to  replace the tail light & brake lights but left in the old bulbs for the indicators thus eliminating the need for altering the wiring. This setup works really well.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 08:20:34 am by teacherspet »

Offline dyates

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2015, 12:55:39 pm »
Hi Bank1957

I have installed LED tail lights in my 66 and have had no problems.Where did you get yours from,mine came from Auto Cables with instrucctios from mustangproject.Sounds like a wiring hiccup.
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Offline bank1957

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2015, 08:05:20 pm »
As well as swapping the wires in the back you need to swap the location of both the reverse light switch and brake light switch, under the dash, you have to swap the entire circuit over, so that the reverse lights are now reverse and indicator and the brake lights are just brake lights.

Or take it to John Greene at Probe engineering in Wynnum

Thanks Shaun, I'm seeing John tomorrow.

Offline bank1957

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2015, 08:12:25 pm »
Hi Bank1957

I have installed LED tail lights in my 66 and have had no problems.Where did you get yours from,mine came from Auto Cables with instrucctios from mustangproject.Sounds like a wiring hiccup.

I bought the tail light LED board from Mustang Auto Parts in Bulimba. It was supposed to be a simple single plug into the existing socket. Looks like a design issue with the board not being able to cope with the 60's setup. Good news though, Robyn and Linda were very helpful and refunded the original purchase price. I have been the only customer with a 64 1/2 that tried the set up.

Also some LED systems for front and rear lights have a  LED ticker can in lieu of the standard one, so I'll see where I can buy a set.

Offline bank1957

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #11 on: May 14, 2015, 08:17:12 pm »
Frank, this is what I did with my '64 1/2. It already had the 3 bulb tail light setup when I bought it & the high temp red lens, but I wanted to use the "Aussie" version with the amber indicator lens which are not high temp & can't be used with the normal bulbs. To get around this I bought some LED bulbs to  replace the tail light & brake lights but left in the old bulbs for the indicators thus eliminating the need for altering the wiring. This setup works really well.

Pete:- I have the original rear tail light set up with one bulb in one outlet. Your poppy red duco looks like new. Mine looks good at 10 feet away, but its a 51 year old paint job.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 08:18:47 pm by bank1957 »

Offline StephenSLR

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #12 on: May 14, 2015, 09:05:49 pm »
I have installed LED tail lights in my 66 and have had no problems.
Indeed, not all LED's are the same, just ask Birdman, he's got a bag full of crap LED's that don't do a decent job; he finally settled on a set of plasma LED's which do look good.

http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/plasma2.html?attribs=80

s

Offline birdman

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #13 on: May 14, 2015, 09:26:09 pm »
Indeed, not all LED's are the same, just ask Birdman, he's got a bag full of crap LED's that don't do a decent job; he finally settled on a set of plasma LED's which do look good.

http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/plasma2.html?attribs=80

s

Yes very true. They work superb. A big thanks to (griff) for being the guiny pig and trying them out first. Solid build and great colour in day and night.

Offline GLENN 70

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #14 on: May 14, 2015, 09:33:40 pm »
In my opinion  the blinkers should be left in the tail lights and an amber lens  fitted into the outer side . The bottom reverse lights left as they are , reverse lights . Blinkers are seen better above the bumper bar .. 69ish had LED lights fitted in his 69 and they were hopeless and he has gone back to the original set up .

Offline 69ISH

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2015, 09:41:33 pm »
In my opinion  the blinkers should be left in the tail lights and an amber lens  fitted into the outer side . The bottom reverse lights left as they are , reverse lights . Blinkers are seen better above the bumper bar .. 69ish had LED lights fitted in his 69 and they were hopeless and he has gone back to the original set up .
Problem being the original are not much better and I still need to find a solution but I can't do anything until I get my car back. (I rang hughie 3 times today but I did only leave 1 message and he has not replied yet, so with the lack of communication I am guessing it will not be ready for pick up tomorrow)
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Read about "Eliminators" below
http://eliminator.mercurycougarregistry.com/

Offline bank1957

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #16 on: May 15, 2015, 01:05:30 am »
Indeed, not all LED's are the same, just ask Birdman, he's got a bag full of crap LED's that don't do a decent job; he finally settled on a set of plasma LED's which do look good.

http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/plasma2.html?attribs=80

s

Checked the website, unfortunately for my 64 1/2, no plasma lights, they start from 67 Mustang/Cougar.

Anyone tried the United Pacific brand available from rodworx.com. Seems thet have the lot including the led flasher can unit.

Offline StephenSLR

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #17 on: May 15, 2015, 07:05:31 am »
Checked the website, unfortunately for my 64 1/2, no plasma lights, they start from 67 Mustang/Cougar.

It's a Cougar website; whoever worded it doesn't have a clue; the bulbs are 1157's.

s

Offline teacherspet

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #18 on: May 15, 2015, 07:06:52 am »
Pete:- I have the original rear tail light set up with one bulb in one outlet. Your poppy red duco looks like new. Mine looks good at 10 feet away, but its a 51 year old paint job.

My car had a full restoration about 4 years ago & I think that is when the tail light conversion was done. It was built 2 days after yours.

Offline teacherspet

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #19 on: May 15, 2015, 07:11:32 am »
It's a Cougar website; whoever worded it doesn't have a clue; the bulbs are 1157's.




I went on to a Cougar website also & there was plenty of high beam stuff on there but no bulbs. Must have pressed the wrong key.  :grin:

Offline StephenSLR

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #20 on: May 15, 2015, 07:26:29 am »
I went on to a Cougar website also & there was plenty of high beam stuff on there but no bulbs. Must have pressed the wrong key.

Yeah if you're looking for Cougar horns and type in Cougar hooters you'll also cop an eyeful.

s


Offline barnett468

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #21 on: May 15, 2015, 12:01:17 pm »
Yeah if you're looking for Cougar horns and type in Cougar hooters you'll also cop an eyeful.


just tried it, thanks very much for the tip  :lmao:

Offline MACH_ONE

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #22 on: May 15, 2015, 11:12:15 pm »
Looks like 64 1/2 mustangs don't like the new LED rear light setup that I installed. Works in the day time, but at night no blinkers at all.
Thus I thought about changing the rear reversing lights into blinkers, since my reversing switch is dead.

What's needed to do this, is it simple or do I get an auto electrician to do it?

were they sequential lights if so the unit can not touch the housing.
My other car is a Mustang ( ok I lied this one cost me enough)

Offline bank1957

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #23 on: May 16, 2015, 03:18:24 pm »
were they sequential lights if so the unit can not touch the housing.

Not sequential. It's an original 64 1/2 survivor.

Offline bb65coupe

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Re: Converting reversing lights to indicators
« Reply #24 on: May 21, 2021, 11:49:12 am »
Hey Guys,

I know this is an old topic....but i had a query about the wiring mod for making your indicators into the reverse lamps on a 65/66.

I know it says to cut the green wire at the brake pedal switch and connect this to the male bullet connector facing the reverse lamps to re-route the brake light power.

This wire goes to the neutral safety switch on an auto car...does that mean when you press the brake pedal the power will go to the neutral safety switch reverse lamp connector there?

On the drawing it is listed as wire 140 which is black-red. i understand you swap around the wires in the rear lights as well, moving the indicator wires across to the reverse lamp bulbs and moving the old reverse lamp wires to the taillight bulbs, but i cant fathom how the power will get to to the rear brake light through the neutral safety switch. I thought the switch only supplied current to the rear lights when it was engaged in reverse.

The mod i am referring to is here that was posted before in this thread.

- disconnect the reverse light bullet connector (black/red wire) that pokes out the top of the kick panel near fuses. tape off the female connector of that and tuck it away, as youll then join the new wire to the male connector.

cut the green wire at the stop light switch, tape off the end that goes into the loom, then extend the other short green tail from the switch with a new wire to that reverse light male connector (i made a new wire with bullet connectors for easy connection) This re-routes the brake light power rather than it going through the turn signal switch.
This part i am confused about....doing that would take the depressed brake switch power to the neutral safety switch?

- at the tail lamps cut the orange/blue & green/orange brake&turn signal wires from their respective tail/brake lamp holders, connect them to the black/red wire that goes to their respective reverse light beneath. This will give you indicators in reverse lights.
connect the incoming black/red wires to those turn signal tails that were cut at the brake lamp holder. You now have brake lights. In case you wondered, the tail lamp signal is the plain black wire which remains unchanged.

I appreciate any imput from somebody who has done this before.