Tail light wiring '57 Scotsman. Frustrating.

[Pepse]

Yeah, the stoplight switch by the "A" arm has the 2 wires you mention. I cleaned them up and no change. As for the fuse block? The '57 Scotsmans were built from July to Sep. of '57. Being it was a very stripped down car I suppose it is possible some parts on the car are from '56 or earlier Studes. Looking at the wiring diagram one red wire goes from the stoplight switch to the fuse block/flasher can. And the other one (red/white) goes to the turn signal wiring. I see it shows the circuit breaker next to the light switch but only has a black wire from it to the fuse block. The diagram also shows an Instrument light switch that I don't have, or is behind the instrument panel.

Later. Pepse.

[StudeRich]

Isn't the Instrument lighting controlled on the Scotsman by a third position on the Headlight Switch, or just automatically in Parking or Head Light ON position? They do not have the separate Instrument Light Switch like pricier Studes.

The Diagrams are likely for Champions, not Scotsman.
Remember that '57 AND '58 Scotsmen have complete 1956 Speedometers and Housings.

The only reason I mention that is, it goes to show how "conservatively" and "different" these lowest priced in America full size Sedans & Wagons were built.

[doofus]

Stude Rich, my Champ Pelham only has 2 switches in dash. heater and headlite. the brightness of instruments lighting is by twisting the pull type lite switch.Pepse just located the old steering assy with wiring. origonal 56 champ "Fuse Block" is a 4 leg bracket, flasher can clipped to end, single fuse underneath flasher. your unit looks like a lark unit with 2 fuses and flasher. VA has me tied up mon & Tues but will get back on it wed. Hears luck to us all. Doofus

[StudeRich]

Doofus, Yours is completely Different, it is a '56. No toggle switches.

Different Year, different Car.

[Pepse]

StudeRich,

The Scotsman has a toggle switch for the lights: up = headlights, down = parking lights, middle = off.

Later. Pepse.

[StudeRich]

Right, I should NOT have said: "does it have a 3rd. position", my bad.

Of course it has Toggle Switches like all '57-'58 Sedans/Wagons as I said to Doofus.
So your Instrument Lt's should be connected to the Headlight and or Parking Lights circuit inside the Hd. Lt. Sw. to always light with either Parking or Head lights.

All the Lighting goes through the Relay on the back of the Hd. Lt. Switch, if it failed or has loose connections, bad wires, nothing works.

[Rosstude]

I have a 57 wagon, basically a Commander. Done my share of wiring and troubleshooting, and had a good mentor.
Normally I need an hour or 2 with the schematic and the car to wrap my head around it.
Take it one circuit/system at a time, otherwise your head will explode.
Sounds like you have several problems.
I would suggest checking the turn signal switch functions with a multimeter on ohms if able. If the switch feels loose/spongy/crunchy it may not be making the proper connections.
I count 7 wires in my column. Six go to the switch, and 1 to the light on the shift indicator window for the auto trans.
You have 2 "hot' wires, one from the stop light switch, and one from the flasher. Then four wires going out the L&R front and rear signal lamps.
The stop light voltage from stop switch is routed straight through the turn signal switch when in its neutral position and out to the L&R rear.
When the signal switch is moved right/left, it brakes off the connection from stop switch voltage, and routes both front and rear from the flasher and out to the lamps.
Personally, I start in the middle so to speak, and would confirm the turn signal switch function with the battery disconnected, and use a multimeter on ohms and the schematic. Then likewise work out to the four corners.
Concentrate on one system at a time, as they take different paths. Like signals, then running lights, then head lamps, then accessories like dome light radio etc.

[Pepse]

Okay, these are the things I need to shake the cobwebs from my head. I mean I did these kinda things like many years ago. Just trying to remember things is kinda hard. Which is why this Forum helps. I don't have anybody around here to help me. That is to stop over and give advice, pointers and whatever. So with your reply and doofus' posts I am able to go somewhere with this. In fact I now realize I can work with the wiring harness under the dash using a 12 volt power supply. I have a VOM multi tester. For whatever reason that kinda stuff was not clicking in my head. Now I have more to work with.

The turn signal switch is solid, no wiggle or anything like that. And of course I only have 6 wires. And this reminds me that my grounds for the front assemblies might need more cleaning; ain't gonna hurt.

And your "Take it one circuit at a time or your head will explode". Yeah, I have been overloading my head trying to get this figured out; doing 6 or more things at once. Of course I have always had that crutch Go all in instead of one piece at a time. I gotta slow down.

This will help. I needed that; to "Take My Time".

Later. Pepse.

[Pepse]

Okay, I worked on the wiring again. Parking lights, front and rear. Brake lightS. Turn signals, only the passenger side front and rear. I have wires with no place to go. Here is the rundown on how it is they are connected: Everything is from the steering column to the main harness Brown to brown, green to green, black to Fuse Block, white/brown hash marks to white/black, white/green to double white/green (2 wires from main harness into 1 plug), red/white to red/white. Also, from the main harness I have a double brown/white (2 into 1, again). Now if I run a hot wire to the brn/wht brn/wht I have a working front left turn signal filament. If I unhook the brown to brown and put a hot wire to the out going brown wire I have a left rear brake light. I am missing a wire but I don't know from where. I posted a wiring diagram at Post 17.

Later. Pepse.

[Pepse]

I got it. Sort of. Only time I have right now. Later. Pepse.

[tim333]

Great news

[StudeRich]

Since it sounds like you have to Power up the Front and Rear and Left & Right Turn Signals manually with a Hot wire, I think there is no Turn Signal flashing Power wire coming from the Flasher going into the Turn Signal Switch. Could it be the "missing wire"?

[Pepse]

Okay, what I discovered is that I had the (from the steering column) brn/wht stripe connected to the wht/blk stripe. The wht/blk stripe is for backup lights. So, by hooking up the wires correctly I have the harness corrected. But, I don't have turn signals on the drivers side. The flasher can clicks but no lights front or rear. But I have brake lights, tail lights, parking lights and right side turn signals. When I step on the brakes with the turn signal to go left I have no light at the rear.

Not sure if I am missing anything.

Later. Pepse.

[Pepse]

Let me make a correction. I just went out there and checked and the left rear turn signal does not work. I even put in the new flasher can and still the same. I will check the wiring this weekend.

Later. Pepse.