Fiber Optics
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Fiber Optics
How are the fiber optics on my '68 supposed to operate? Do they only work when a light is out? I read somewhere that when you shut the car down, the fiber optics go through a sort of a shutdown sequence. Is this true? If they are not working like they are supposed to, where to start in diagnosing?
Thanks,
Tony
Thanks,
Tony
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by 427-390
How are the fiber optics on my '68 supposed to operate? Do they only work when a light is out? I read somewhere that when you shut the car down, the fiber optics go through a sort of a shutdown sequence. Is this true? If they are not working like they are supposed to, where to start in diagnosing?
Thanks,
Tony
Thanks,
Tony
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Thanks big_G,
I'll check again, but I thought I did see the fiber optics faintly lit up when I did turn on the headlights. It could be that the coloring on the lens has faded, I won't know until I dig into it a little bit more. I will be restoring/repairing/cleaning the console in the near future, so thanks for warning me on the connections that go to console part of the fiber optics. I don't want to do any more damage then necessary.
Much appreciated.
Tony
I'll check again, but I thought I did see the fiber optics faintly lit up when I did turn on the headlights. It could be that the coloring on the lens has faded, I won't know until I dig into it a little bit more. I will be restoring/repairing/cleaning the console in the near future, so thanks for warning me on the connections that go to console part of the fiber optics. I don't want to do any more damage then necessary.
Much appreciated.Tony
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Originally Posted by James B
THat sounds really cool, I wish 73s had the fiber optics. Didnt they stop in 71? I dont remember exactly
Yes, 71 was the last year....in place of them the alarm became standard in 72.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Originally Posted by rdog
Fiber optics are fairly easy to replace and are pretty inexpensive. Easy to troubleshoot. For me it is easier to just replace the optics and/or the bundle. Like to play it safe.
Don't recall seeing just the fiber optics for sale, I need to replace all of mine. It is a cool concept. Kudos to GM.
-B
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Fremont,CA
Originally Posted by LittleJake
Man im glad my 72 doesnt have fiber optics. I have read so many horror stories about them not working correctly.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 63
From: Ft Myers FL
Originally Posted by LittleJake
Man im glad my 72 doesnt have fiber optics. I have read so many horror stories about them not working correctly.
Here are a few of the common reasons why a fiber optic does not work. Check to see if the bulb is burnt out. If the lights were removed to have the car repainted, it is not uncommon for the fiber optic end to get painted over and not allow light to travel to the console. The fiber cable could be broken as a result of a previous accident. Check inside the console to see if the fiber optic cable is connected to the console lenses. When I first got my car, I found some of the cables just not connected to the console lense.
Anyway, this is very basic technology and it is not like trying to run down an electrical problem. As was previously stated, if you have a problem it is pretty easy to just re-run new fiber cable and re-tape it into the harness. IMO.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
I was able to check into all of my fiber optics last night and it appears that at a minimum, I'll need to check out 1 of the indicator lights. Not too bad considering the age of the car. I'll get the lenses replaced and check all the connections when I disassemble the console. As stated in a few of the comments, the fiber optics are cool. Thanks to Rich427, big_G, and rdog, for your tips and guidance. Very much appreciated! 
Tony
Tony
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,824
Likes: 3
From: The left Coast
St. Jude Donor '08
My 1968 Camaro RS has fiber optics. I am restoring the car right now. They are quite simple except for keeping them snugly in place. They're bascially a piece of thick fishing line.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Update:
I got the console apart and it appears that one of the fiber optics was plugged into the wrong location on the lens and the other one was just hanging, not plugged into anything. When I tried to correct the location of the fiber optics in the lens area, I cracked and broke (oops!) the plug in location on the lens for the right rear tail lamp. Good thing I didn't order all of my parts yet. I'll just add this to the list. It probably wouldn't hurt to order either a repair kit or a new harness for the rear tail lamps and license plate lights as one of the fiber optic wires insulation was cracked and exposed (electrical tape is on it now). Thanks again to everyone for all the help and information on this.
Tony
I got the console apart and it appears that one of the fiber optics was plugged into the wrong location on the lens and the other one was just hanging, not plugged into anything. When I tried to correct the location of the fiber optics in the lens area, I cracked and broke (oops!) the plug in location on the lens for the right rear tail lamp. Good thing I didn't order all of my parts yet. I'll just add this to the list. It probably wouldn't hurt to order either a repair kit or a new harness for the rear tail lamps and license plate lights as one of the fiber optic wires insulation was cracked and exposed (electrical tape is on it now). Thanks again to everyone for all the help and information on this.
Tony