Need to temporarily bypass sequential turn signals just to have legal lights for the ride home

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Maintenance Restoration and Repair
1

Just acquired a classic 1970 cougar with a 351 2v and runs good drives all right but I got to get it home and the thousand Mile drive is going to require functioning tail lights. I have been going through most of the troubleshooting threads on the sequential tail lights and unfortunately none of the quick fixes take care of it and I don’t have time to fix the sequential tail lights prior to driving this home. I’ll have plenty of time back at the ranch to fix them right but for now…

Is there a simple way to bypass the sequential system and just have standard tail lights turn signals brake lights so that I can have legal lights on my drive home thank you.

2

Check the turn signal fuse first!
Unfortunately, the most common problem is a failed turn signal switch, which interrupts power to the rear brake lights/and or turn signals. You can remove the control box in the trunk and still should still have one legal brake/turn signal on each side - if the turn signal switch is good.

If not, you will need to replace the switch.

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If you determine the switch is bad, does your route take you near an NPD location where you can get a new switch?

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Sorry forgot to give complete information I have already tested the switch and all the other simple stuff. it’s not pretty but it works it does not self cancel and it doesn’t stay in the signaling position unless you hold it there but if you hold it there I do get some semblance of a signal in the back but they blink it different rates sometimes both sides blink sometimes it tries to do a sequential.

So just by merely unplugging the black box and the external relays will still allow a signal to pass through to one bulb on each side?

Thanks

I’ll go test that tonight when the temperature drops to a more reasonable number

5

Yes, the sequential control unit only controls the outer two lights on each side. The inner light (on each side) power comes directly from the turn signal switch.

6

The OEM Litelfuse external relays can cause problems. They are known to fail - the contact arm breaks off and can short the contacts together inside the case. Unplug them to test!
If necessary, they can be replaced with a 1964 1/2 Mustang horn relay.

8

In my world tail lights refers to every light in the tail the turn signals, the brakes, the backup lights, the running lights and on bigger vehicles marker lights I don’t see why you got to be snotty about it

I want to thank everyone else.

by disconnecting the sequencer I now have lights functioning satisfactory for the trip and down the road I will be upgrading probably to a full solid state modern system with LED lamps and all that sort of stuff but for now I just got to get home and I appreciate all the help most of you gave enjoy the rest of your week

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Glad you got them working although nothing to do with the turn signals has anything to do with the tail lights.

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You obviously didn’t read what I posted so please refrain from commenting further in this thread I don’t need your negativity

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12

Would you just kindly go away. I did not come here to argue over vernacular and nomenclature I don’t need your help other people have resolved my situation I’m happy can we just let it go and you go away and leave me alone please

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14

71 XR7 having signal issues?! Both sides.