1968 Front marker light not working
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 323
From: San Diego
1968 Front marker light not working
My front marker light on my 1968 is not working. I though it was the bulb but I replaced it and it still does not work. The side marker light works fine. I am getting 12v to the wire but when I checked my turn signal on that side it does not work either. My right turn signal works fine. What else should I check?
So the checks Ive done so far:
Left front parking light - not working
Bulb - brand new
!2v at bulb - good
Left Turn signal - not working
Left side marker light - working
Right marker light- working
Right turn signal - working
So the checks Ive done so far:
Left front parking light - not working
Bulb - brand new
!2v at bulb - good
Left Turn signal - not working
Left side marker light - working
Right marker light- working
Right turn signal - working
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,947
Likes: 9,338
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
a few things just because its new doesn't mean it's good. I would swap bulbs from side to side. second is the indicator light working in the dash? also where the bulb makes contact is spring loaded. make sure the spring is springing
Last edited by Nowhere Man; Feb 7, 2025 at 01:41 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,779
Likes: 1,683
From: Summerville SC
I would suggest first checking the ground. Next make sure you have the correct bulb and it is inserted into the socket correctly. Lastly I would look at the contacts in the socket. After all these years corrosion might have taken it's toll. Clean them off with some brake clean. Make sure they are shiney and make sure that they are in the correct place. There is usually a groove in the socket for the contacts to go in a certain position.The contact for the park light has to match up with the park light contact in the bulb. Sometimes it gets twisted out of position Also when the bulb is in it pushes the contacts down. There is a spring under each contact. Sometimes, especially if there is corrosion or crud in the socket the springs will not pop us as they are designed to and don't make contact with the bulb. Worse case is to buy a new socket. Just make sure you have the correct bulb and it is a good one beforeyou start. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 323
From: San Diego
So now Im really confused. I took all of your suggestions above. The bulb is an 1157. I swapped it to the right side and it works. I also connected the left side light directly to 12V and it works. I checked the turn signal with direct 12V and it works too. My turn signal indicator in my gauge cluster lights up. I have 12V at the plug connector running to the light but not at the turn signal. I ran jumper wiresfrom the connector on the car to the marker light and nothing worked. Im stumped.
At the plug, I get 12V to the BRN wire and nothing to the BLU wire. If the BRN wire is my marker lights and hte BLU in my turn signal, shouldnt the marker light and least come on if I get 12V to the BRN wire or do they both need to work?
At the plug, I get 12V to the BRN wire and nothing to the BLU wire. If the BRN wire is my marker lights and hte BLU in my turn signal, shouldnt the marker light and least come on if I get 12V to the BRN wire or do they both need to work?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 275
Likes: 168
From: Pikes Peak region Colorado
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Sounds like a problem in the socket. Look in socket with bulb removed and you should see two metal contacts. Make sure the height and side to side location are the same as the side that works. With everything off those contacts can be sometimes realigned using a small srew driver or pry tool. If all else fails the socket may need replacing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Agree. Socket problem. For the bulb to work in that socket, the contacts must make good connection. If the spring in the socket is rusted/failed or weak, no connection will be made. Also, the contacts in the socket may be worn off from many years of use. My suggestion is to just replace the socket with a new one.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 323
From: San Diego
I checked everything cleaned the connectors with electrical connector cleaner and plugged it back in. I now get marker light on both left front and left side but no turn signal. My left rear turn signal works and I get an indicator and clicking in my dash but no flashing on the front
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 164
From: Broadview hts Ohio
I had a similar issue with my 69. Turned out to a loose connection in the junction box/fuse panel connector on the firewall. I pulled it apart, cleaned connections and reassembled, fixed the issue.
Joe
Joe
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,100
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
make sure the bulb is going in th ecorrect way, they are keyed so that the bulb base lines up with the socket blades. if its in 180* off those blades wont line up with the solder joints on the bulb
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 323
From: San Diego
The bulb has to be in the right way. The blades are offset so it will only go in one way.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,100
Likes: 9,229
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
no, it can be forced in the incorrect way....I bought my car with more than one bulb forced in that didnt work correctly
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 323
From: San Diego
Ill double check byt I think its more in the wiring since I am not getting and 12v at the turn signal wire. The bulb works on both market and turn signal when I run 12v directly to it. I think its further up the line.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,100
Likes: 9,229
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
tracing wires is never fun...I bought a test light that had a spike and a hook so you could grab a wire and pierce the insulation to trace power...like this
