Electrical: Wiring Mess

[345 DeSoto]

The Painter that did my Sky Hawk did a Concours class job. However, he disconnected all the wires on the junction for the lights on the front, and left them hanging. No problem...I went to my Service Manual, refered to the schematic and hooked them all back up in the approriate spots. Except there's 2 wires left over which don't show on the wiring diagram! One is white with a green tracer, and the other is white with either a black or dark blue tracer. I have reason to beleive that they MAY be directional wires...they were there before he removed them, but I'll be damned if I know where they go. HELP!

[StudeRich]

They ARE the Turn Signals that were Optional so not in the Basic Diagram, there is an Accessory Diagram in the Shop Manual.

One side is Brown Tracer, the Other is Green Tracer, sorry I forgot which is L & R but a test will tell you.
Lay them on a rag so they will not short out during the test.

[Xcalibur]

See what doesn't work after you power-up. All the best.

[345 DeSoto]

Turn signals they were...thanks Rich.

[Jerry Forrester]

They ARE the Turn Signals that were Optional

Turn signals were optional on the Sky Hawk??????

[altair]

I don't think they were even required in the Motor Vehicle Regulations until well into the 70s.

[Skip Lackie]

I don't think they were even required in the Motor Vehicle Regulations until well into the 70s.

I looked up the history of turn signals a while ago, but can't remember the details. I believe they were required nationwide in the US in 1955 or 56, though things like size and location were not specified until much later. But a number of states and provinces had their own signal regs as early as the 1930s, especially for trucks.

[Jerry Forrester]

I looked up the history of turn signals a while ago, but can't remember the details. I believe they were required nationwide in the US in 1955 or 56, though things like size and location were not specified until much later. But a number of states and provinces had their own signal regs as early as the 1930s, especially for trucks.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?96934-Whar-Year-Did-Turn-Signals-Become-Standard-Equipment

[Skip Lackie]

Thanks Jerry. I remember installing them in a 54 Aero Willys, so they obviously weren't required then.

[studegary]

Thanks Jerry. I remember installing them in a 54 Aero Willys, so they obviously weren't required then.

It depended on the state. They were not yet federally required, but individual states did require them. For example, New York State required turn signals starting with the 1953 model year.

[bensherb]

One side is Brown Tracer, the Other is Green Tracer, sorry I forgot which is L & R but a test will tell you.

I believe the white with green tracer is left and the brown tracer is right.

[345 DeSoto]

BENSHERB - Thank you...

[Skip Lackie]

It depended on the state. They were not yet federally required, but individual states did require them. For example, New York State required turn signals starting with the 1953 model year.

Enforcement must have been spotty. The 54 Aero Willys I mentioned above was registered in New York and had no directional signals until I installed them in around 1960. Not sure where the car was sold new, however.

[studegary]

Enforcement must have been spotty. The 54 Aero Willys I mentioned above was registered in New York and had no directional signals until I installed them in around 1960. Not sure where the car was sold new, however.

Perhaps it was not sold new in NY. The law, about 1953 and newer models, only applied to new vehicle sales. If the car came from another state and did not have turn signals, you did not have to install them.