FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi, I have recently purchased a fully restored 1958 FC Holden Special Sedan.  The vehicle has been restored as per original specs and hence the rear indicators are combined with the rear stop Lights ie the rear Brake lights flash.  The rear tail-light/brake light assembly is fitted with amber lenses for indicators and has globes with wiring but as I said previously, only the brake lights flash when indicators are on. I have seen on this forum that a discussion took place back in July 2005 where it was stated that it was a simple matter to modify wiring to make the indicators work from the lower amber lenses and globes but I could not find how this is done.  Can anyone supply with instructions or a diagram as I would like to make this modification.

Thanks

John

Welcome John
Show us some pictures first! :D ( I don't know!)
Nick

This is made a bit more difficult since it appears your wiring has already been fiddled with and it impossible to know what's been done without looking at it.
If we assume that it is stock as per below from the FE manual

(https://s30.postimg.org/py5l4k1al/image.jpg) ($2)

The aim is to remove the brake lights from the indicator system so that it appears like the FB diagram below.

(https://s27.postimg.org/dvi6ggd1r/image.jpg) ($2)

Under the column there are 7 wires emerging. Tan is the horn - leave this alone. The other 6 are light & dark blue(front indicators), pink & violet(rear indicators), yellow(flasher) and white(stop light)
Unplug the stop light and the pink and violet wires from the column. Connect the stop light switch to the pink and violet wires. You now have red brake and tail lights but no rear indicators.
Tape up the 3 wires left protruding from the column (you don't want these shorting out)

Run 2 new wires to the rear of the car for the indicators and connect to the light and dark blue wires as shown on the FB diagram. All that remains is to connect globe holders and plug these into the lower light holders and now you have the Orange rear indicators.

My 5 cents worth- if it's a fully restored original car then it would be best to leave the lights as they are, but fit the tail lights with the clear lower lenses.

Ken

Thanks Ken.  I hear what you say about keeping it original but for me the amber indicator lens modification is the way I want to go.  I have had comments from people immediately behind me, when travelling on a car club run, that the indicators are not easy to see.  Hence the preference to make the change.
John

I'll be going the same way with separate indicators for the very same reason.
An orange globe in a clear lower lens seems like a happy compromise.

That's my preference to Dave, my last FE had orange globes inside clear outer lenses. The Orange globes I got had offset pins which would not fit in the globe holder so I filed off one pin and installed the globe no problems.
Maybe there is an orange globe out there with the correct pins but I couldn't find them.

Ken

ba15s led globes are readily available on ebay in amber. I use these with an appropriate resistor.
Globes.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Amber-1156-P21W-Ba15s-27-5050-SMD-LED-Brake-Tail-Turn-Signal-Rear-Light-Bulb-12V-/221962263146?var=&hash=item33adfb5a6a:m:mVexW9xM7uX52ajiZutpQDQ 
Resistors
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/50W-6-ohm-load-resistor-for-Car-Indicator-LED-lamp-CT-/302144350914?hash=item465934eac2:g:Gf0AAOSwiDFYMpEO

Now that's a light globe 8)
Thanks for the info strop

Ken

AND.....
If you buy them like I did you will find they are about a bee's Dick too long and you can't fit the dam lens 😵

When I do a rewire on a project ,if its not going to be original I will run trailer wire from the dash back and try to match the colours to the trailer plug . It just makes it easier later . Haydn

I did the same as Hadyn. Mine wasn't original or complete, so ran 5 core trailer wire to the back of the wagon & used amber lenses as my clears were broken.

If your indicators are hard to see, then your brake lights can't be that crash hot either. There are an awful lot of FEs and FCs out there with flashing brake light indicators. Maybe there's something else amiss?

Just my personal opinion, but you'll take my flashing brake lights from my cold, dead fingers. When GM-H decided to include indicators on the new model, that's how they designed them. They're part of what makes an FE Holden, well, Special.

I also find hand-signalling out the window helps if you're concerned other drivers are oblivious. It's so uncommon these days it demands attention.

A near miss caused me to fit amber lens and globes now nobody misunderstands my intentions .love to see Ret doing his left turn hand signal .cheers   ;)

Before I fitted indicators to my FX I used to do a huge big pantomime "arm-out-the-window - point-up - point-left-over-the-roof" thing, and then just change lanes anyway.

Mind you, I notice that a lot of other motorists will do whatever it takes to get in front of me in traffic.  Must be something about the perceived insult of being stuck behind an old Holden, but that's another rant for another day.

Rob

Quick question, thought I read someone said FCs had yellow indicators?
I'm assuming the reference is to the rear taillights as I've only seen clear front ones but I have seen yellow/orange lens for the rear but I thought these were all modern to comply with road rules?

Just in case you change your mind, you can get globes that are up to 30% brighter than standard globes, most of the spare parts shops carry them or you can paint the base of the tail light assembly white or a chrome type paint this helps, we have done this to other smaller tail lights in the past to make them a bit brighter, I personally light the brake light indicator but unfortunately if people aren't paying attention they wont see any form of lighting.

Using an amber globe in a clear lens is a recent adaptation.
Here's clarity on the topic .......
http://www.fefcholden.org.au/techinfo/fcpaintstyles.html

Brilliant, thanks

In 23 years of driving my FC's I've never had a near miss because of the red indicators.

It's one of the great things that sets our cars apart from the everyday humdrum in my opinion.

I'm with RET here "you'll take my flashing brake lights from my cold, dead fingers".
This is the way Holden designed them and you can't improve on perfection.

Just my 2 bobs worth.

Cheers, Graham

Not sure what I'll be doing. Once the ute's all back together first thing to check is what is working light wise, no idea yet if they even work properly. But will have a look at some of the ideas in as to making them as bright as I can that's for sure. Just looking at them atm as have taken them out while cleaning up around and underneath them and pondering on wiring as will have to disconnect the globes etc so I can put in new grommets and hosing to protect the bit that goes under the car.

Safety first I think, remember most drivers out there wouldn't be looking for a flashing red, and then would be thinking faulty rather than turning.  I suffer a similar problem when reversing the EH no one recognizes twin amber as reversing.

Roybeth it was only the late 1959 model FC that was fitted with indicators and yellow indicator lenses, they were also fitted with paper air filters and a really nice embossing on the seats.

Wasn't it the late FC's that had independent indicators?

Yes, September 59 onwards had orange rear indicators.
Ken

On one of my Vauxhalls I used amber magnified LED lights from Asia inside little glass parkers as the originals were not bright enough . These would be an easy fit into some old Holden bulb holders for front and rear .Just thought I would throw that into the mix .