1977 vette turn signal problem
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
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1977 vette turn signal problem
I've eben working on rebuilding the dash, all the bulbs have been replaced and they all work fine, however a problem that has happened even before has been that the left turn signal wont turn on when i push the lever down, however it lights up on the outside, and when I first turned on the headlights the turn signal lit up, which is extremely strange, and never happened again. I was wondering if any of you with more experience than I do with this type of car would know what to do as I've only had it for a year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
Yourhistorian,
You need to isolate a probable cause: either bulbs, wiring or switch.
Pull the headlight switch half-way to Parking Lights.
What do you have working?
Turn back off.
Now press the brake pedal. What do you have then?
Now activate the Four-Ways. Do a walk-around.
The '77s are a one yr only turn signal stalk. It does everything except lite your cigar.
The stalks were somewhat prone to having internal issues in the column.
You need to isolate a probable cause: either bulbs, wiring or switch.
Pull the headlight switch half-way to Parking Lights.
What do you have working?
Turn back off.
Now press the brake pedal. What do you have then?
Now activate the Four-Ways. Do a walk-around.
The '77s are a one yr only turn signal stalk. It does everything except lite your cigar.
The stalks were somewhat prone to having internal issues in the column.
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I've owned 2 77's an early and a late. I of course still have my early 77. Although the signal stalk is unique to the 77 model year. I'm not aware of any problems. Orher than the occasional broken wiper switch. The actual turn signal switch is the same as many years.
the issue here seems as thou the dash indicator bulb is not lighting up. He says they light up on the outside of the car. (His terminology, not mine) . But we get the impression that the in dash indicator isn't lighting up and of course they are not flashing.
how many signals on the outside of the car are lighting up?
the issue here seems as thou the dash indicator bulb is not lighting up. He says they light up on the outside of the car. (His terminology, not mine) . But we get the impression that the in dash indicator isn't lighting up and of course they are not flashing.
how many signals on the outside of the car are lighting up?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
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Yeah so for more context, all the exterior lights work as normal, all the sockets have been replaced, brand new bulbs, and all work fine except for the left turn indicator inside the dash, which lit up only once while turning it on the headlights for the first time and has never lit up since. All the other lights inside the dash work as intended, and the other turn signal indicator works perfectly normal, it’s a problem isolated to just the left turn indicator. And just to add, it’s an early 77
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Double, triple check that socket. On my early 77 the wire going into the sockets at the back of the dash had gotten hard from the heat of the bulbs. I replaced wire back about 4 inches on every socket back there. But then put back about 6 inches of wire with a new metal button for the socket, thus extending the dash harness by a couple inches,
good luck. It's nearly 50 years old and automotive wiring didn't improve until the late 90's.
good luck. It's nearly 50 years old and automotive wiring didn't improve until the late 90's.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
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I appreciate the help from you guys, going back in and checking each wire and managed to figure out the problem, it was a tiny tear in the wire and I had to replace a good portion of the wire. The dash is back together, but there’s still some bugs to sort out, but she runs, and I can take it and drive it around again. Thanks everyone.
