Turn signal question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 357
Likes: 15
From: Marshville, NC
Turn signal question
Replaced the front turn signal pigtails with new ones from Zip Corvette. Now without the headlights on the turn signals work. When I turn on the headlights none of the signals work and both indicator lights are illuminated in the dash panel. Turn off headlights and signals work again. 78 vette. Any ideas?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 357
Likes: 15
From: Marshville, NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Coincidentally, I've just discovered the '82 I bought last month has a similar problem. Been working on other issues, took her for a night drive this evening for the first time. Turn sigs don't work when the lights are on. Will appreciate knowing what you find.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The issue you describe is common to a ground issue. If this just started with the installation of the new jumper extensions then the connector on your main harness you plugged them into may be corroded or the terminals may be bent.
I'd go there first and check them, possibly some dielectric grease would help you too.
-Willcox
I'd go there first and check them, possibly some dielectric grease would help you too.
-Willcox
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Well, I spent most of the afternoon working on this, and the problem is fixed. I basically replaced and greased all the 1156 and 1157 bulbs in the front, side and rear. Some dufus had tightened down all the rear lamp housings without centering the plastic rods in the holes in the body. Couldn't figure out why I had so much trouble getting the lamp holders in and out. One of the holders has a crack because of this and won't twist back in, so I'll have to replace it with a pigtail. Anyway, when I was done with all this, the signals were working with the headlights on or off. The last problem I had was they were flashing way too fast. The "on" condition was just a brief blip that could hardly be seen. That turned out to be the flasher itself. Incidentally, the owner's manual for my year ('82) says the fuse holder is behind the glove box. I almost removed the box searching for the flasher, but then decided to check online. Turned out it was under the driver's dash above the kick panel, just like my early-'70s C3s. That's strike two for this manual...
Good luck with your problem, hope the fix is as easy as mine!
Good luck with your problem, hope the fix is as easy as mine!
