Electrical problem
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Electrical problem
The directional signals on my 66 coupe have me scratching my head. When I use my turn signals it causes all the directional signals to flash. The dash indicators also flash. I had changed the signal cam in the steering wheel a few years back. I pulled the steering wheel off thinking the wires were shorting. Everything was good. No chafed or damaged wires. If I pull out the 4 way flashers they work. I also replaced the two flashers. Same problem. Has anyone had this problem or have an idea as to its cause? I remember having a similar problem 25- 30 years ago on this vette. I just can't remember how I fixed it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Dave66
Thanks
Dave66
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
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From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 656
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From: Northeastern PA
These pictures I took a few years back might help. The contact block tangs get bent out of shape and when you move the turn signal lever, the cam on it moves more than one of those tangs and you get more than two things working. Or, the tangs are already bent and making contact without moving the turn signal lever. How that happens, I don't know. So, be patient and bend them back into shape....or replace the whole turn signal switch.
Gary
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,529
Likes: 1,964
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Flasher
In 66, four way flashers were an option. The flasher mounts on the parking brake bracket. The flasher plugged into the directional harness mounted on the steering column. I bought one for about $175 at a show. I see them from time to time for sale in the Driveline. Jerry
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 76
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From: san diego ca
Sounds like a ground issue at the housings. If you loose your ground at the housing the circuit completes itself by passing through the body of the 1157 bulb then across the light side filament which energizes the light circuit giving you four way flashing lights. Take off the lenses so you can see the bulbs and if both filaments are lighting on one side then that is the side you have lost your ground on. to find if it is in the front or back pull the bulbs one at a time and when you pull the un grounded one the other side will stop flashing.
Good luck
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
These pictures I took a few years back might help. The contact block tangs get bent out of shape and when you move the turn signal lever, the cam on it moves more than one of those tangs and you get more than two things working. Or, the tangs are already bent and making contact without moving the turn signal lever. How that happens, I don't know. So, be patient and bend them back into shape....or replace the whole turn signal switch.
Gary
Gary
Great pictures to keep, thanks.
Don
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
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Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Worked on the car today before reading your replies.
Found a loose ground wire and a bad bulb on the r/rear taillight today. Fixed both, problem the same. I paid more attention to the lights when they were flashing.
With the key on and the r/turn signal engaged, only the r/signal indicator on the dash flashed along with both rear turn signals and the right front turn signal.
When I used the left turn signal. Only the left dash indicator flashed along with both front and rear turn signals. The lights just don't go on they flash. Juice jumping across somehow. Will change the bulbs and check the grounds next time I work on it If thats not it, move on to the switches.
Thanks again
Found a loose ground wire and a bad bulb on the r/rear taillight today. Fixed both, problem the same. I paid more attention to the lights when they were flashing.
With the key on and the r/turn signal engaged, only the r/signal indicator on the dash flashed along with both rear turn signals and the right front turn signal.
When I used the left turn signal. Only the left dash indicator flashed along with both front and rear turn signals. The lights just don't go on they flash. Juice jumping across somehow. Will change the bulbs and check the grounds next time I work on it If thats not it, move on to the switches.
Thanks again
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 387
Likes: 2
From: Grafton Wisconsin
Ground is the issue
Sounds like a ground issue at the housings. If you loose your ground at the housing the circuit completes itself by passing through the body of the 1157 bulb then across the light side filament which energizes the light circuit giving you four way flashing lights. Take off the lenses so you can see the bulbs and if both filaments are lighting on one side then that is the side you have lost your ground on. to find if it is in the front or back pull the bulbs one at a time and when you pull the un grounded one the other side will stop flashing.
Good luck
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
With the key on and the r/turn signal engaged, only the r/signal indicator on the dash flashed along with both rear turn signals and the right front turn signal.
When I used the left turn signal. Only the left dash indicator flashed along with both front and rear turn signals.
When I used the left turn signal. Only the left dash indicator flashed along with both front and rear turn signals.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Just a few things that might help. I don't know how you are testing for grounds but keep in mind that a test light used at the housing can show a ground if it is coming through the light circuit through the other bulbs. Sorry that's not a great discription but think about it and you should get it. I don't know the switches in these cars well so the other guys may be right but seems to me the indicators would both be going if the switch was the cause, again I don't know these switches well.
Good luck , keep us posted
Good luck , keep us posted
Last edited by P Knopp; Sep 22, 2010 at 03:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
In his second post dave66bb indicated the left and right activity is different and the left lamp activity was an ambiguous description (use of the word both). If both front and rear LH lamps flash with the indicator it's working properly. If both front and both rear flash with the LH indicator both sides have problems.