Front Side Marker Lights Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Front Side Marker Lights Question
O.k. this is a real basic question but still need to ask. I thought that sidemarker lights were supposed to illuminate in both front and back per some reg. in the late 60s. However, I noticed on my '82 that the rear red sidemarkers stay illuminated but the fronts sidemarkers (both the clear side-lite & orange signal lamp) only come on when you are operating turn signals. Is this normal or should my front sidemarkers stay illuminated continuously when lights turned on?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Fairview TX
Fancy that. My '74 has a 80-82 front end. When I got it the wiring was hosed. I re-wired the car and my markers work with parking lights and the curb lights work when the blinkers are on. Figured that is how it should be, so that's how I set it up.
It does not make sense that the markers would not be on with the parking lights.
It does not make sense that the markers would not be on with the parking lights.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
O.k. this is a real basic question but still need to ask. I thought that sidemarker lights were supposed to illuminate in both front and back per some reg. in the late 60s. However, I noticed on my '82 that the rear red sidemarkers stay illuminated but the fronts sidemarkers (both the clear side-lite & orange signal lamp) only come on when you are operating turn signals. Is this normal or should my front sidemarkers stay illuminated continuously when lights turned on?
I guess all 3 cars doing the same thing probably not a coincidence, but thought you need side markers to be even be street legal.
What happens when you turn just the park lights on?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: BARTOW FL.
On my 82 the front side markers light only with the turn signals also and I know for sure mine hasn't been changed. I've owned it since it was new.
I always thought it was weird but that's the way it's wired.
I always thought it was weird but that's the way it's wired.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
My 81 lights up the top orange lens when the driving/parking lights are on. When the turn signal is activated it lights the bottom lens (white) on and the top orange lens blinks. As far as I know, this is how it was designed
Last edited by Jclgodale3; Oct 1, 2008 at 11:51 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: BARTOW FL.
On mine it lights all but the front side markers. The only time they light is when the turn signal is on and then they light for the side thats blinking. But the markers don't blink.
I've followed the wiring diagram and it seems this is correct. Does it make since? NO.
If anybody knows different please let us know.
I've followed the wiring diagram and it seems this is correct. Does it make since? NO.
If anybody knows different please let us know.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: London
I read somewhere the reason Gm did this was,
they thought the extra light would aid the driver when going round
corners and parking.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Wow - I thought when I posted this I would get 1 response that said yes or no. So with all this said it sounds like what I have is not necessarily a problem with my car but is a design flaw on the '82. In my opinion the orange should illuminate with driving lights on and then flash when turning. I must say though that the clear lamp is great when turning in very dark rural areas - helps a lot.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: BARTOW FL.
UPDATE, After we talked about this last nite I had to study it more.
It seems that clear lens on the front side is a 1156 and only lights when the turn signal is flashing. But it doesn't flash(just a steady light).
The amber lens above the clear is a 168(GM manual) or 194 will work. It burns at all times when the lights are on, even when the parking lights are on. Now get this, when I pulled the bulbs(1st time they have been out) and put them back in they now flash with the turn signal.
So when you turn the turn signals on(either left or right) you are suppose to have the amber lens flashing and the clear lens on(but not flashing) on the chosen side.
When lights are on only the amber lens lights.
Hope this helps it's just a little screwy.
It seems that clear lens on the front side is a 1156 and only lights when the turn signal is flashing. But it doesn't flash(just a steady light).
The amber lens above the clear is a 168(GM manual) or 194 will work. It burns at all times when the lights are on, even when the parking lights are on. Now get this, when I pulled the bulbs(1st time they have been out) and put them back in they now flash with the turn signal.
So when you turn the turn signals on(either left or right) you are suppose to have the amber lens flashing and the clear lens on(but not flashing) on the chosen side.
When lights are on only the amber lens lights.
Hope this helps it's just a little screwy.