Fiber Optic Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Diamondhead MS
Fiber Optic Question
None of my fiber optic lines seemed to be working. They are all pluuged but when I disconnected them and shinned a little I still don't get an indication in the **** pit. Both ends seemed to have a black ferrel. I'm thinking these may be blocked. Should I cut the end off and put in new ferrels to test the optic wire itself? Any help would be appreciated. but I don;t want to ruin the ends by cutting them off unless I can fix them again.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 3
From: Nixa Missouri
I've only had to deal with one of mine one time and before I did anything to the fiber ends I had read to try to clean them first with a mild soap/water and a Q-tip.
This is what i did and it worked great.
Read where you could use rubbing alcohol on the end but didnt have to do that.
Also if you do cut the ends, besure to use a razor blade to get a good cut but would leave the cutting as a last resort.
Before cutting anything try to adjust the ferrel in the end so that the fiber end lines up and points at the light bulb which will increase the light intensity at the cockpit.
Hope this helps.
This is what i did and it worked great.
Read where you could use rubbing alcohol on the end but didnt have to do that.
Also if you do cut the ends, besure to use a razor blade to get a good cut but would leave the cutting as a last resort.
Before cutting anything try to adjust the ferrel in the end so that the fiber end lines up and points at the light bulb which will increase the light intensity at the cockpit.
Hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Mesa az
I had to replace my complete rear optics cable. It'd been cut in two places and after some testing I found that it'd "aged" and wasn't passing light anyway.
If you do want to try something to "cleanup" the ends, use 1000-2000 grit sandpaper/or body polishing compound. The ends have to be "polished" to allow them to work.
The new cable shows light inside the passenger compartment with just a small flashlight shining on the "light bulb" end, even in daylight.
By the way, mine were originally painted over when the car was repainted sometime in the past. That pretty much stopped all the light.
I wouldn't use any chemicals on the fibers, it would most probably discolor them.
If you do want to try something to "cleanup" the ends, use 1000-2000 grit sandpaper/or body polishing compound. The ends have to be "polished" to allow them to work.
The new cable shows light inside the passenger compartment with just a small flashlight shining on the "light bulb" end, even in daylight.
By the way, mine were originally painted over when the car was repainted sometime in the past. That pretty much stopped all the light.
I wouldn't use any chemicals on the fibers, it would most probably discolor them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Pull the end connections off and you will see the fiber strands. As stated, shine a good light source directly on the end. If you do not see any light emitting from inside... you most likely have a break somewhere. There are aftermarket compression fittings to repair broken fiber segments. Troubleshooting is really very easy, either is passes light or not. The most difficult part is tracing the fiber optic line as it is bundled with the forward harness for headlights. The rear is the same deal but easier to trace. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Long Grove, IL
69 Front fiber optics : VHL6871FO
69 Rear fiber optics : VRH6869FO
Regards,
Jay
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
What you want is Fiber Optic End Point Cable and it is largely produced by Dow Corning.
Fiber cable is really pretty simple cheap and can be a lot of fun.
If you have a limo repair or builder near you, they buy the multi thousdand foot spools and it ends up being pennies per linear foot.
Connections are super easy, just butt, and either tape or epoxy to hold. Nothing special really needed.
My old neighbor had a limo building business and after seeing some of his help install optic cable you wouldn't hesitate to work with it.
Here is a link, some cable and info. They have both single strand and multi etc. The old 70's Cadillacs used single.
http://www.thefiberopticstore.com/pu...owfilament.htm
FYI
The large CocaCola sign in Times Square is all fiber optic lights not bulbs or leds.
Fiber cable is really pretty simple cheap and can be a lot of fun.
If you have a limo repair or builder near you, they buy the multi thousdand foot spools and it ends up being pennies per linear foot.
Connections are super easy, just butt, and either tape or epoxy to hold. Nothing special really needed.
My old neighbor had a limo building business and after seeing some of his help install optic cable you wouldn't hesitate to work with it.
Here is a link, some cable and info. They have both single strand and multi etc. The old 70's Cadillacs used single.
http://www.thefiberopticstore.com/pu...owfilament.htm
FYI
The large CocaCola sign in Times Square is all fiber optic lights not bulbs or leds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 1,939
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
all My Fibers Work Except My Brights On One Side , The Red Light Only For My Pass Side.............havent Looked At It As Yet..........
But What Is It I Should Be Looking For ?
But What Is It I Should Be Looking For ?
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