[brian400ex]

My center bulbs in my tailights are brighter than the other ones. The centers have 1156's and the outers have 1157's. Anybody know what the center one should be? Also the center socket is a one wire socket and has been replaced before. Should they all be the same brightness or is mine right?

Brian

[adtkart]

I have never noticed one being brighter than the other. I do know that 1156 and 1157 are different. Can't remember which one, but one has only 1 element, and therefore only one contact on the end. the other has 2 elements and 2 contacts on the end. I have seen the 2 element bulbs put in the sockets for the 1 element bulbs, and the other way around. Also if the bulbs are different brands that may make a difference, sometimes. The single element bulbs are usually used for parking lights or back-up lights. The dual element bulbs are usually used for signal and brake lights.

I hope this helps some.

[horvath]

Aren't the 2057s briter (and longer lasting) than the 1157s? I'm thinking, maybe there's a 2056 to replace the 1156?

I don't use the 1156s, but I've stopped buying the 1157s and am using the 2057s instead.

Just a thought.

Alan Horvath
<a href="http://AlanHorvath.com/54chevy/" target="_blank">54 Chevy Pickup</a>

[akm]

the 1156 is a single filliment bulb, and the 1157 has 2 filliments- so the 1156 is more like a parking light, and the 1157 is a parking light and a turn signal. i belive i saw one and only the two outter ones blinked(on each side) and the center one was just a parking light.

[brian400ex]

Yeah thats how mine is. Just the outer two blink when a turn signial is on. But i'm still not sure if the center is supposed to be brighter than the other two. Is there a bulb like the 1156 but dimmer? Where might i find some info on a 1966 Impala tailight sockets?

Brian

[Kevin45]

All 3 should be the same brightness. Make sure the grounds are all good and the sockets are clean. If you do have to clean the sockets disconnect the battery first. All three bulbs should be 1157. At first I was thinking the backups were in the middle lens but I pulled a pic from the webs and saw they were in the bumper. I had a '66 for a few years but couldn't remember.


Kevin

[ May 31, 2003: Message edited by: Kevin45 ]</p>

[brian400ex]

I have a manual that shows all three bulbs have 2 wires going to them. I took my wiring harness apart and never found a cut wire. There is only one wire for the center socket which has a 1156 in it. My neighbor thinks there is nothing wrong and he says the center should be brighter because it is a tail light.

Brian

[Kevin45]

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: Kevin45 ]</p>

[Kevin45]

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: Kevin45 ]</p>

[black66]

I have a 66 Impala and all my lights are the same brightness. And I only have one wire going to all bulbs...... If you want some trick lights. Go to LED tail lights. Much brighter and super trick...

[Kevin45]

Brian400ex... With all due respect just clean the sockets and go to a car show or swap meet and check first hand where you can look at someone elses car. Everyone has told you that it needs two wires and all three bulbs are supposed to be 1157's. I checked on ChevyTalk and you were told the same thing. Other than that there is nothing anyone can do. First off you have the wrong bulb. All three tailights are just that, Tailights. The backups are in the bumper so no need for a different bulb in the middle. Call the local Chevy dealer first thing Monday and see what they say about it. You youself stated that you found a service manual for a '66 and all three tailights show two wires. Get the correct socket and add a second wire if need be.

Kevin

[brian400ex]

Thanks alot you guys for helping. I know it sounds as though my wiring harness is wrong, but i really want to make sure before i go and mess with it. It would be a really easy fix. All i would have to do is tap into one of the other sockets and add 1157 sockets to the middle. Hey Black66 are you sure you only have one wire going to each socket? If so you wouldn't have any brake or turn signals. I checked into a new trunk harness and they are $124.