Strange light problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 3
Strange light problem
I’m having some light issues with my 81 and don’t know what to do next.
I had to replace the bulb socket on the driver side front turn signal and the passenger side rear outside light. The one on the front was missing and the one on the back had a wire loose so I got a new one.
I also had to replace the flasher on the fuse box as the blinkers didn’t do anything.
Now my problem is all the running lights work great. And the turn signals work great. But if the running lights are on the blinkers don’t blink. I replaced all 4 bulbs.
Not sure why it would do this. Any ideas?
I had to replace the bulb socket on the driver side front turn signal and the passenger side rear outside light. The one on the front was missing and the one on the back had a wire loose so I got a new one.
I also had to replace the flasher on the fuse box as the blinkers didn’t do anything.
Now my problem is all the running lights work great. And the turn signals work great. But if the running lights are on the blinkers don’t blink. I replaced all 4 bulbs.
Not sure why it would do this. Any ideas?
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 16
From: Lancaster, Pa
When you say blinkers, do you mean the hazards/4 way flashers which are activated by the switch or the turn signals activated by the lever on the column? Maybe the flasher on the fuse box is a bad one? Check your grounds for the tail light that you just repaired as well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 3
I meant the turn signals on the lever on the steering column.
The 2 light sockets I replaced had different color wires than what was on the car. Like on the rear, the color of the wires going to the original light socket were blue and brown with a black wire on the side of the socket. The replacement socket I bought has yellow and brown with a black wire on the side. I put black to black, brown to brown and the blue to the yellow. Would it matter if those 2 wires were backwards or will it work regardless?
The 2 light sockets I replaced had different color wires than what was on the car. Like on the rear, the color of the wires going to the original light socket were blue and brown with a black wire on the side of the socket. The replacement socket I bought has yellow and brown with a black wire on the side. I put black to black, brown to brown and the blue to the yellow. Would it matter if those 2 wires were backwards or will it work regardless?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 3
I wanted to do a quick reply.
I wanted to wait till it was dark so I could see the brake lights against the fence.
With headlights fully on, everything works as it’s supposed to. It’s just in the parking lights mode the turn signals don’t blink. That’s odd, but I really don’t care as long as they work with lights on and lights off
I wanted to wait till it was dark so I could see the brake lights against the fence.
With headlights fully on, everything works as it’s supposed to. It’s just in the parking lights mode the turn signals don’t blink. That’s odd, but I really don’t care as long as they work with lights on and lights off
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I meant the turn signals on the lever on the steering column.
The 2 light sockets I replaced had different color wires than what was on the car. Like on the rear, the color of the wires going to the original light socket were blue and brown with a black wire on the side of the socket. The replacement socket I bought has yellow and brown with a black wire on the side. I put black to black, brown to brown and the blue to the yellow.
Would it matter if those 2 wires were backward or will it work regardless?
The 2 light sockets I replaced had different color wires than what was on the car. Like on the rear, the color of the wires going to the original light socket were blue and brown with a black wire on the side of the socket. The replacement socket I bought has yellow and brown with a black wire on the side. I put black to black, brown to brown and the blue to the yellow.
Would it matter if those 2 wires were backward or will it work regardless?
Try switching the wires.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...TkzNDc2YzgzNGU
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 210
Likes: 59
From: Eau Claire, WI
I meant the turn signals on the lever on the steering column.
The 2 light sockets I replaced had different color wires than what was on the car. Like on the rear, the color of the wires going to the original light socket were blue and brown with a black wire on the side of the socket. The replacement socket I bought has yellow and brown with a black wire on the side. I put black to black, brown to brown and the blue to the yellow. Would it matter if those 2 wires were backwards or will it work regardless?
The 2 light sockets I replaced had different color wires than what was on the car. Like on the rear, the color of the wires going to the original light socket were blue and brown with a black wire on the side of the socket. The replacement socket I bought has yellow and brown with a black wire on the side. I put black to black, brown to brown and the blue to the yellow. Would it matter if those 2 wires were backwards or will it work regardless?
Last edited by KaelFarmer; Apr 9, 2019 at 11:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Do you still have the old socket? Can you verify which wire goes to which location on the socket. Depending on the new vendor, the new wire colors may be in a completely different place than where you think they should be. In theory, black should be ground but it may actually be a power wire. I mention this because when wiring trailer lights the colors are: brown=tail light; yellow= brake light/ left turn signal; & white = ground.
Original wires:
right front=blue=turn signal
left front=light blue=turn signal
right rear=dark green=turn signal
left rear=yellow=turn signal
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 210
Likes: 59
From: Eau Claire, WI
I hope this provides a little clarity.
Also, depending on what is used to make the splice, it could simply be a poor connection. I have found that the quick splice connectors similar to this attached picture do not always make a good connection particularly with light gauge wire.
