First of all my turn signal arm was broken off when I got the vette so signals have never worked. I ordered new arm and turn signal switch and waiting for them to get here. My question is this. The turn signal lights turn on as running lights when my lights are on. But they also get brighter(second filiment coming on) when I apply the brakes. Any clue why?

 

Possible poor ground. I'd start looking at the frame grounds for the front and rear bulbs.

 

Do you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a tilt & telescoping type?

I hope that you haven't wasted some money on the turn signal switch. The turn signal lever "plugs into" a part called the wash/wipe & dimmer pivot. That pivot has a crossover arm that reaches to the turn signal switch. So if the problem is just the attachment of the lever to the pivot, the switch could be just fine.

Let me know what type steering column and some directions will follow or you can look for the directions at www.corvettefaq.com in the standard steering column or the tilt & telescoping sections.

Jim

 

I had to replace the switch Jim mentioned in mine and it is specific to 77 tilt/tele only. Unfortunately that makes it a bit more expensive and difficult to find. If you need it try Davies in Florida. They had a few when I got mine from them.

The signal circuit can be a bit hard to understand without a solid electrical schematic understanding but the solutions are usually simple like bad bulbs, ground, or switches . In my experience the wiring harness is not that common of a problem. I'm not suggesting that you throw parts at the car but if you have some thing you know is bad start there. Such as the wiper switch. Like Jim said. The part the switch arm is attached to is just a lever for the actual turn signal switch.

If I'm not mistaken the filament for the signal and the brakes are the same in the rear. Are your front turn lights getting brighter with the brakes?

 

I have a t/t steering volume and yes the front turn signals get brighter when I apply the brakes.

 

Guess is just a extreme safety spec on just my c3. Now the people heading towards me know when I braking to lol.

 

The crossover arm is on the left side in this picture. To get to this point where the arm is accessable, you will need to have removed the steering wheel, hub, plastic retainer, c-clip, and the toothed locking plate.


If you are going to need to replace the wash/wipe dimmer pivot you will need to remove the turn signal switch and the turn signal switch housing. I think that it will be a lot easier if you totally remove the steering column from the car. (Fishing the turn signal switch wires in and out of the steering column can be very difficult with the steering column still in the car.)

Here are links to several papers on disassembly of the Corvette T&T steering column.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=991
This is a blowup of the steering wheel, telescope lock, and horn parts.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1004
This link actually has three multiple page papers. They take you all the way from removing the horn cap to complete disassembly of the T&T steering column.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1009
This link takes you to three drawings on the disassembly of the T&T steering column.

You may find the above information fairly overwhelming. But the instructions are very complete.
Take lots of digital pictures to assist you in the reassembly.

One last hint, after you remove the steering wheel and hub, you will find a big telescope spring that rests on a plastic piece called a retainer. If your steering column hasn't been apart in the last 35 years you will most likely find that the retainer will break into many pieces regardless as to how carefully you try to remove it. The retainer is called out in the above picture by its GM part number 7808385. (It is no longer available at GM dealers.) You can try;
Zip Products SC-517
Willcox 780838
Or other major suppliers.

Further help is only a computer click away.
Merry Christmas,
Jim

 

Thanks for all the info. Parts should be here on 27th so ill keep u posted.