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I am back for more. The turn signals in my 79 L48 stopped working all the sudden. Break lights are working, and so are the emergency flashers. The steering column switch appears to be engaging, but the turn signals are dead. I changed the relay in the fuze box (lower right side), but still nothing. Before I start removing the steering wheel I want the ensure I have covered every other possibility. The 1979 Chevy Corvette Shop manual I purchased does not have a photo of the fuze box . Questions: Is there a dedicated fuze for the turn signals? What is the purpose of the 47mF capacitor connected to the turn signal relay? If the capacitor is bad, could that cause the turn signals not to work.
Thanks in Advance!
Keep them roaring!
Jose
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Yes, you have a dedicated turn signal fuse, look on the right side near the bottom.
The capacitor keeps the turn signals from 'clicking' as they go off and on.
Yes, there is a dedicated fuse for the turn signals in your 79 Corvette. It's a 20A fuse in position 15 of the fuse box, which covers turn signals and backup lights. The hazard (emergency) flashers are on a separate 20A fuse, typically in position 4. Since your hazards work, check and replace the turn signal fuse if it's blown.
By chance did you install a electronic flasher relay or a bimetal relay?
The electronic relay is polarity sensitive meaning X=(Switched Side) and L=Load (Bulbs Side) needs to be correct...
A bimetal relay is not polarity sensitive...
Here is the fuse panel layout for a 79...
Hello Peterbuilt.
I appreciate the good information. I have a question If the capacitor goes bad, will that prevent the turn signals from working?
Best Regards,
Jose
Appreciate the info westinger03. I checked the fuse and is good, I also checked power at the fuse and I have power. Maybe is the switch, but I can hear it clicking when I engage it.
Thanks, and have a great weekend
Keep them roaring!
Jose
Hello bmotojoe.
Thanks for always answering my questions and setting me straight. I did get and electronic flasher relay. If I understand you correctly the electronic flasher relay needs to be installed with the correct polarity orientation or it will not work. I don't know but, it appears that the electronic relay I bought could only go in one way, but in all honesty I did not turned it around to tray for fitment. I got it connected in parallel with the capacitor, test the turn signals, and since they did not work I removed it and reinstalled the old relay. Should I just buy a bimetal as you mentioned? I checked the fuse and it is good, I also checked for power at the fuse, and there is power.
Please let me know your thoughts
Keep them roaring!
Jose
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Originally Posted by cat59
Hello Peterbuilt.
I appreciate the good information. I have a question If the capacitor goes bad, will that prevent the turn signals from working?
Best Regards,
Jose
The turn signals will work with a good or bad cap.
This is what I'm talking about...
The photo is trying to represent the flasher relay not the fuse panel socket...
If I understand correctly, It sounds like your flasher relay is working because you hear it clicking...
If you want, pull the flasher relay out of the panel, with the ignition switch in the ON what terminal has power (Top or Left) one terminal will have constant power with the key ON...
Hello bmotojoe
Turn signals update: The turn signals are working again! The cause of the failure was the flasher relay. My Initially thought was that the flasher relay was the problem. I bought a new one, but not knowing any better, I purchased an electronic one that did not take care of the problem. My next step was to take apart the steering column to swap the switch, but thanks to your explanation about the difference between electronic and bimetal relays, I never got that far and you saved me a lot of unnecessary work.
Thanks!
Keep Them Roaring!
Jose
Turn Signals
. Questions: Is there a dedicated fuze for the turn signals? What is the purpose of the 47mF capacitor connected to the turn signal relay? If the capacitor is bad, could that cause the turn signals not to work. 
