69 vert fiber optics HELP ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,149
Likes: 177
From: Chicago/Lake Geneva/Phoenix IL/WI/AZ
St. Jude Donor '06
69 vert fiber optics HELP ?
Helping a friend, have never worked on this set up. Looks simple light goes through the cable. With the lights on working correct should all the lights light? Does the ignition need to be in on or run position? Are there any tutorial threads? Thanks in advance!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
The beauty of the fiber optic system is that it relies purely on physics.
At each light (not sure how many there were in 69) the end of the bundle should point at the back of the light. There shouldn't be any paint or dirt obstructing the path. (I've seen headlights where there is paint blocking the path of the light. Just use some solvent like carb cleaner to get rid of it). There is a connector at each light that holds the fiber bundle in place. These are often broken just from the passage of time and need to be in place if the FO system is to work correctly. The fiber passes through the car and ends in a plastic lens in the console. The lens adds some color to the lights. Mine are white for headlights (bright and dim), red for tail lights, and orange for turn signals. You don't need to have the key on - they simply transmit light without the need for any internal power.
Their only drawback that I know of is that they are very dim in sunlight.
At each light (not sure how many there were in 69) the end of the bundle should point at the back of the light. There shouldn't be any paint or dirt obstructing the path. (I've seen headlights where there is paint blocking the path of the light. Just use some solvent like carb cleaner to get rid of it). There is a connector at each light that holds the fiber bundle in place. These are often broken just from the passage of time and need to be in place if the FO system is to work correctly. The fiber passes through the car and ends in a plastic lens in the console. The lens adds some color to the lights. Mine are white for headlights (bright and dim), red for tail lights, and orange for turn signals. You don't need to have the key on - they simply transmit light without the need for any internal power.
Their only drawback that I know of is that they are very dim in sunlight.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Yep. The light from each bulb is transmitted through the light cable. If the bulb is lit...and the cable is intact...the lens in the console should light up. As mentioned, it was meant to be a check on the lights...which are used at night. You might be able to check out the brake lights during the day...or maybe not.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If you can, get a buddy to hold a strong flashlight at one end of the fiber cable, and you should be able to see the light at the console. Remove one of the brake light lenses, you will see the FO lens at the top of the brake light housing, shine your light at the lens and you should see the light on the console. If not, there is an interruption somewhere in the system. You can do this for each of the lights, brake lights, parking lights. Headlight are just easier to turn on than to pull the headlight or disconnect the FO cable at the headlight.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Folks have painted over the "sensor" in lamp housings before...not knowing what they were. FO's are in the license plate bulb area and [outer] turn signal housings at the rear of the car, as well as the parking lamps and at each headlight at the front. If you shine a bright light in those spots and it doesn't show on the console, there is a break in a fiber optic line, a sensor is not in proper position, or something is painted over.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check the FO lenses and cable ends at the lights to ensure they are clean. Check the lenses at the console; they get dirty too. With the lights on you should get left and right low beam headlights, left and right high beam headlights (when high beams are on) and left and right parking lights.
In the rear you should have left and right taillights and license plate lamp.
If things are difficult to see on the console, use the tube out of a roll of paper towels or some such.
In the rear you should have left and right taillights and license plate lamp.
If things are difficult to see on the console, use the tube out of a roll of paper towels or some such.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
My FOs on my 71 are driving me crazy. The rear ones (three) all work, so does the front left turn signal. But the other five front don't (high an dlow beam, and right turn). My problem is I cannot locate the sensor at the headligths
Where are they? Since the headlights are sealed, how would a sensor ever get in there?
Hope you can help, thanks.
Where are they? Since the headlights are sealed, how would a sensor ever get in there?Hope you can help, thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
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From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
The headlight FO cables plug into the back of the headlight connectors. As mentioned above most new sealed beam bulbs have the area where the FO is looking for light painted black and unless it is cleaned off it will not pick up the light.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,985
Likes: 78
From: SoCal.
My FOs on my 71 are driving me crazy. The rear ones (three) all work, so does the front left turn signal. But the other five front don't (high an dlow beam, and right turn). My problem is I cannot locate the sensor at the headligths Where are they? Since the headlights are sealed, how would a sensor ever get in there?
Hope you can help, thanks.
Where are they? Since the headlights are sealed, how would a sensor ever get in there?Hope you can help, thanks.
Looks just like a few strands from one of those light up plastic flowers wraped in black wire insulation.
George
