Dreaded electrical problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Dreaded electrical problem
I have the dreaded electrical problem. First everything worked on the car last week. I hooked up the radio capacitor and the cigarette lighter bulb I do not think it has anything to do with this problems but what do I know. My right blinker does not work and my right brake lights also . I have power to the bulb and I have parking lights. I have tried 3 bulbs and no luck, I do not know how to check for ground on the blinker I know about the tail light grounds but I know they are good ,I just put my bumpers on in June . I have all tail lights ,I have no blinkers on the right side front or rear and no brake lights on the right side Help I was going somewhere tomorrow but I can not with out brake lights. Also does both back lights blink with the blinker on
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 2
From: Park City to SoCal - according to the map it's all down hill. No bad days in Indian Wells, California
I can confirm that both lights blink on rear.
Sorry I am not much help on the other problems you have, but good luck.
Sorry I am not much help on the other problems you have, but good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
I have the dreaded electrical problem. First everything worked on the car last week. I hooked up the radio capacitor and the cigarette lighter bulb I do not think it has anything to do with this problems but what do I know. My right blinker does not work and my right brake lights also . I have power to the bulb and I have parking lights. I have tried 3 bulbs and no luck, I do not know how to check for ground on the blinker I know about the tail light grounds but I know they are good ,I just put my bumpers on in June . I have all tail lights ,I have no blinkers on the right side front or rear and no brake lights on the right side Help I was going somewhere tomorrow but I can not with out brake lights. Also does both back lights blink with the blinker on
Also an ohm meter will NOT register a "0" on a good bulb. Place one contact on the side of the bulb and one on the solder dot on the bottom. You should get a reading or the element is burned out. Do this on both solder dots separately to test a two element bulb. Set the meter on 5 or 10 and you should get a reading or the bulb is no good. Hope this helps...good luck!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Check the curved multiple connector from the turn signal switch on the steering column harness where it connects to the instrument panel harness; the same wire from that connector feeds the RH brake light filament, and the RH front and rear turn signal filaments. Your grounds are OK or your parking and tail lights wouldn't work. Also check the multiple connector above the driver's side kickpad for continuity on both sides - that wire goes through that connector too. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Maine
This morning I had RR brake lights and i tried the Rh blinker and the brake lights when out ,than i turned the steering wheel and now i have brake lights but still no blinker or Rf parking light So i think it must be up in the steering wheel wires what do i look for and what do you think i may need to order Thanks allot i do not know what i would do without you guys You can not get anybody to help unless you want to wait for weeks for them to show up
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Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 2
From: West Paterson, NJ
Check the curved multiple connector from the turn signal switch on the steering column harness where it connects to the instrument panel harness; the same wire from that connector feeds the RH brake light filament, and the RH front and rear turn signal filaments. Your grounds are OK or your parking and tail lights wouldn't work. Also check the multiple connector above the driver's side kickpad for continuity on both sides - that wire goes through that connector too.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
Check the wires in the round plug at the turning indicator harness where it goes through the fiberglass by the headlight. The wires get corroded at the terminals in this area and can cause symptoms similar to what you describe. My '64 had this problem and going though and cleaning and soldering these wires to their connector terminals cured it. Also make sure the connector terminals are clean.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Maine
It looks like it is in the head light switch I did not have either front parking light ,so I pulled the light switch out and turned it a few times and etc and everything worked .Than I pushed it back in and pulled it out for parking lights and they did not work ,did it again and they work .You get the picture. I saw something about taking the rod out of the switch on here once has anybody got a picture of how to do that? Thanks to All
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 2
From: West Paterson, NJ
Disconnect battery, then pull the rod to what would be the full ON position. Theres a little button on the top of the headlight switch behind the dash. Push this little button and the rod should pretty much pop right out. Some minor wiggling may be required.
To remove the switch nut, use the special tool if you got it, a broad bladed screwdriver or needlenose pliers if you don't. Supporting the switch behind the dash with one hand makes it easier to loosen and tighten the nut. Once it's out, pull the harness. A new headlight switch is a cheap replacement, the plastic gets brittle with age, the springs bind inside, etc. It's also nice when the dash lights respond well to the new rheostat! (This is also a good time to do the Parking Light Mod!
)
You may have to drop one or two vent cables from the dash for a little more room to work, less obstacles to work around.
To remove the switch nut, use the special tool if you got it, a broad bladed screwdriver or needlenose pliers if you don't. Supporting the switch behind the dash with one hand makes it easier to loosen and tighten the nut. Once it's out, pull the harness. A new headlight switch is a cheap replacement, the plastic gets brittle with age, the springs bind inside, etc. It's also nice when the dash lights respond well to the new rheostat! (This is also a good time to do the Parking Light Mod!
)You may have to drop one or two vent cables from the dash for a little more room to work, less obstacles to work around.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Push the headlight **** shaft into the headlight switch, it should "click" into place without any need to depress that hidden ****. The shaft has a triangular cross section (if memory serves) and will go in any way you try.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Maine