73 GT Tail lights, what is correct?

[EJprovost]

I have the four round tail lights hooked up on my 73 GT, and I'm not sure if they are coming on right.
The two outer ones (split colors), come on with the headlights, blink for the signals, and brighten when the brake is pushed.
The inner ones (solid red, small white circle), come on only when I am in reverse.

Does anyone know if this is accurate for a 73 GT? Thanks for any wisdom here.

[spdkilz02]

well i too have a '73, and the outer ones on mine r red which r brake light, and inner 2 r the split with the orange being turn signal, and bottom red being parking lights...

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by EJprovost I have the four round tail lights hooked up on my 73 GT, and I'm not sure if they are comming on right. The two outer ones (split colors), come on with the headlights, blink for the signals, and brighten when the brake is pushed. The inner ones (solid red, small white circle), come on only when I am in reverse. Does anyone know if this is accurate for a 73 GT? Thanks for any wisdom here.

This is correct. My '73 is an earlier model and has the same tail lights has the earlier models. If you look in your doors you should have a extra bar for crash protection. My '73 doesn't have that feature either.

Harold

[SpringGT]

You are correct about the '73 rear lights. The upper (amber) half of the outside rear lights is the directional signal and emergency flasher light, and the lower (red) half is both the tail light and brake light.

The taillights come on with the headlights or parking lights, while the brake lights come on during brake application with the ignition 'on'.

When using the turn indicators the amber lights (including the front grill lights) flash only with the ignition in the 'on' position, but they burn steadily with the ignition 'off'. This is typical in european cars as europeans like to use the front and rear amber lights as roadside marker lights when parking on the shoulder of the road.

All of the amber lights (front and rear) flash when the emergency flasher switch is pushed, whether the ignition is on or not.

The two "inside" rear lights are back-up lights in the center surrounded by a red reflector lens. The back up lights work with the headlights 'on' or 'off' as long as the ignition is on and reverse is engaged. I guess that they felt that the reflector in the inner lights was necessary due to the rather small tail light portion of the outer lights. The tail lights become even dimmer as the mirrored reflector surface inside deteriorates with age.

This may be a case of too much information, but I think that it covers all of the combinations and permutations of the '73 lights.

By the way, my car is a "late" 73, but I don't know of any variations in lighting during that year.
Bob

[EJprovost]

Thanks ! Thats exactly what I needed to know.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by SpringGT You are correct about the '73 rear lights. The upper (amber) half of the outside rear lights is the directional signal and emergency flasher light, and the lower (red) half is both the tail light and brake light. The taillights come on with the headlights or parking lights, while the brake lights come on during brake application with the ignition 'on'. When using the turn indicators the amber lights (including the front grill lights) flash only with the ignition in the 'on' position, but they burn steadily with the ignition 'off'. This is typical in european cars as europeans like to use the front and rear amber lights as roadside marker lights when parking on the shoulder of the road. All of the amber lights (front and rear) flash when the emergency flasher switch is pushed, whether the ignition is on or not. The two "inside" rear lights are back-up lights in the center surrounded by a red reflector lens. The back up lights work with the headlights 'on' or 'off' as long as the ignition is on and reverse is engaged. I guess that they felt that the reflector in the inner lights was necessary due to the rather small tail light portion of the outer lights. The tail lights become even dimmer as the mirrored reflector surface inside deteriorates with age. This may be a case of too much information, but I think that it covers all of the combinations and permutations of the '73 lights. By the way, my car is a "late" 73, but I don't know of any variations in lighting during that year. Bob

Correct as far as you've stated, but not entirely. With ignition off, the TURN signal lights, front and rear, will come on for one side only when the turn signal stalk is placed in either direction. As stated, this is German TÜV safety requirement for all cars produced in Germany and it is a driver's legal requirement to turn on roadside turn signal when parking alongside of any non-residential street at night.

[SpringGT]

Sorry, I thought that is what I was saying.

[2 Fast 4 U]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Correct as far as you've stated, but not entirely. With ignition off, the TURN signal lights, front and rear, will come on for one side only when the turn signal stalk is placed in either direction. As stated, this is German TÜV safety requirement for all cars produced in Germany and it is a driver's legal requirement to turn on roadside turn signal when parking alongside of any non-residential street at night.

And now for all cars produced in Europe

parking alongside of any non-residential street at night and residential street at night where there is no street lamp to illuminate the car but not the turnsignal lights are used but the small lamp in the headlight and the rear red light is used, this to save the battery, the blinker lights are 2 x 21 Watts and the rear & little headlight lamp [parking light] are 5 & 4 Watts