I have a 68 malibu. Just installed a big block and now I am having some tail light issues.(put new grounds on engine to frame and engine to body)

The problems are intermittent and include:

Some times one tail light will be much brighter (like the brake light is on at that side)

Some times blinkers work some times not (especially with tail lights on)

Some times the ignition swith will be off and the tail lights stay on, when this happens I start the car turn the lights on then back off and the tail lighjt then turn off and stay off when I shut off the car

I noticed that the tail lights sometimes stay lit (dimly) even when the socket is not in the tail light housing, and then when the socket is installed the lamp gets much brighter.

Also used a testlight to ground from the tailligt housing to the ground spring on the socket and the test light lit up!!!!!I know this is screwy!

I believe I have some generic sockets, anybody know any info on what to ask for to get the all metal ones I have been reading about?

i KNOW THIS IS A TERRIBLE POST DUE TO THERE BEING SO MANY ISSUES. From what I have been reading most problems are due to bad grounds. Any info on troubleshooting any of these issues would really be appreciated

Thanks
Cory Thompson

Yes- The symptoms indicate a grounding problem.

The tail light and brake/signal sockets should ground to the tail light housing. If someone has installed replacement sockets they may not have the ground tab. Look for a ground tab, if the socket is not designed to ground to the housing there should be a third ground wire.