FE Rear Indicators

[HoldenFE]

Could someone please advise if this is correct:
With the tail lights and brake lights on together, does the indicator cut out the brake and tail light or should it only cut out the brake light when it blinks?

[mcl1959]

It should only cut out the stop lamp. The tail lamp is a very low wattage filament and is nowhere near as bright as the stop light.

[HoldenFE]

Many thanks

[muzzie]

When i put my foot on the brakes both indicators come on and if i put an indicator on at the same time it blinks but the other stays on, would this be a bad earth? Tail lights light up as normal.
Thanks

[mcl1959]

Yep, classic sign of earth problems.

Ken

[muzzie]

Yeah thats what i was thinking. Now the fun of trying to find it. hahaha
Thanks

[DougT]

Hi Muzzie, what you have described is the way FE-FC rear indicators normally work unless you have tried to utilize the lower lamp holders, in which case what you have described would still occur unless you fitted a FB light switch and directional switch. To my knowledge the lower lamp holders were only for the optional reversing lamps.

Doug

[mcl1959]

Yes you’re right Doug, I assumed Muzzie was talking about lower amber indicators, not the indicators in the brake lights.
This is the page from the FC glove box manual



Ken

[muzzie]

so does that mean the bottom lense isnt used for anything unless you have optional reverse lights?/

[mcl1959]

That is correct Muzzie. In September 1959 the indicators were moved to the lower lense and it was changed to orange colour

Ken

[ardiesse]

Finding the bad earth?  Easy.  The taillight housing is earthed through the mounting studs and nuts.  Loosen and re-tighten the nuts a few times and see whether the problem goes away.

In stubborn cases you might have to replace the spring washers with toothed lockwashers, and make certain that you can see bright metal where the lockwashers go.  Some spray-on lithium grease may help to prevent corrosion.

Rob

[muzzie]

ah beauty, thanks again