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this past week, my college buddy was able to retrieve his 71 from my care (I fostered it while he was attending to a short-notice move) ... anyway, we took advantage of the opportunity to take a few picts of the Vettes (4 week separate their build dates and we have 'em!!!!)
You'll notice my right running light is inop. (the Ontario Orange Vette) My engine isn't running. Buddy's WarBonnet Yellow IS. sigh. I dropped the ball there, but anyway.
Tonight, me and she made a run with "Victoria" and stayed late ... got dark ... needed the headlights. I noticed the turn signal indication illuminated ... steady. Turn signal NOT engaged. The light would extinguish with the headlight switch to "OFF" ... it'd again illuminate with the headlight switch to "ON." ... and the right front running light IS inop.
Not until the '06 Jetta have I ever had a vehicle which would indicate an inoperative lamp.
Is this the cause? I'm going to replace the RF running lamp tomorrow ... but just curious (after a no joy search ... here is the question) ...
Greg ... what is the most likely source of a bad ground? I've not dug through this car to find the contact points. a gang connection on the frame somewhere?
More indicators ... the gear selector light and the cigarette lighter have become intermittent with this same condition.
The ground problem is usually nearer to the socket or even a bad socket itself. Try removing the socket, clip a ground wire to the bumper and touch the other end to the brass edge of the bulb, just under the glass. If it works properly go from there to your nearest ground and see if it's broken off or simply corroded. If you can't locate the errant ground you can always add a new one.
Make up a dummy 'ground' jumper wire: 12 awg braided wire about 6" long with alligator clips at each end. Use the jumper to assure that a 'problem' lamp has a good ground (run jumper from ground point on lamp to frame metal or negative lug on alternator. If hooking that jumper into the system turns a bum lamp into a good one, there's the problem.
great technique. Given the 1157 bulbs aren't expensive, I stopped at an auto parts store the other day to R/R (of course didn't have a #2 Phillips, so, now I have ANOTHER one! :P ). Have decided I may just get me a car lift installed in "Victoria's" house ... photo shows her sittin on her front porch!! LOL.) Anyway, the socket fell back as soon as I tried to insert the new one. So ... hmmmmm. New socket may be in order. Will look at it more today ... on a LIFT!
I've been told, and read here, these cars are infamous for grounding issues which cause all sorts of problems. I saw a voltmeter indicate reverse polarity on a trailer light once due to a bad ground! (yes the leads were correct. Checked 'em 3 times and had someone else even see ... the black is on the minus and connected to the frame ...
it's been entertaining being a C3 Vette owner in 2018/19! Thanks!
INOP Lamp indication
