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1978---turn signal indicators on dash?

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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 10:13 AM
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Default 1978---turn signal indicators on dash?

Dumb question, does the C3 corvette have turn signal indicator lights on the dash? My car is a 78, and between having windows down/ ttops off, its easy to leave the turn signals on since the flasher isnt loud.

Should my car have green indicators on the dash somewhere? My 4way/hazards wok as the turn signals, no fast flashing light a burned out bulb either (if this car would do that). All brake/park/head lights work as well, just nothing on the dash whenthe turn signals are running. I plan to replace the flasher behind the glove box with hopefuly a louder one.

Im the third owner, previous one had it since 85, he had some neglect and redneck'd bandaid issues I am trying to correct. Like the horn button feels like it had all its components removed and screwed tightly where its just a rubber pad and not a button.

Thank you,
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 10:41 AM
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Yes
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 03:43 PM
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Do you have any LED bulbs installed?

There are two green arrow indicators between the tach and speedo, along with a "BRAKE" light, and the high-beam indicator.

The flexible circuit boards behind the gauges are notorious for having issues, Perhaps start there.
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
Do you have any LED bulbs installed?

There are two green arrow indicators between the tach and speedo, along with a "BRAKE" light, and the high-beam indicator.

The flexible circuit boards behind the gauges are notorious for having issues, Perhaps start there.
I dont have any LEDs, just good old incandesant. I need set in the car, I honestly havent been in the car since we bought it, been redoing the front end. I honestly think the dash is a pre-78, where it has a seperate speedo and tach pod, ,not one big square fishtank. Do you guys know what the indicators would show on 77/older models , with this style dash? ...I know we dont have a actual glove box, but the glove pockets.





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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 04:24 PM
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Interesting!

That's a 77 interior (plastic center gauges, separate tach and speedo), with a 76 steering wheel.

There should be triangular cutouts at the bottom of the speedo and tach for the turn signal indicators.

I'd check that the VIN on your car matches the engine, the door sticker, and your title. Perhaps someone just really liked the 76-style dash and steering wheel. Or perhaps your car is made out of a few other cars, in which case some of the year to year differences might bite you with your electrical issue.

If it is a 77 or later, you can get the dealer invoice from GM.

1977 and up: Get a copy of your vehicle's dealer invoice direct from GM:
https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive

Vehicle Information Kits available for all years (for free!)


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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 05:00 PM
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The Vega wheel was used up until ‘79 on non tilt/telescoping columns.

OP, are you sure your car is a ‘78? Does it have the large bubble back window?

Last edited by Piersonpie; Sep 30, 2025 at 05:06 PM.
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 05:43 PM
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Your turn signals should cancel after the wheel turns back towards center. Shouldn't need to manually do that unless your turn signal switch is bad.
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 05:53 PM
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So that pic I posted, was just a Google image search, it's not actually mine. I am going to get a better view of mine here tonight, so I know when I'll be home with.

I've check the door tag to find out the original color, and I'm fairly certain it was assembled in December of '77, in the VIN has the eight and so it's a 78 model year.

I do have the larger back window, the bubble or the arrow version whatever it is called, Big slope piece of glass versus the vertical notch of the older ones.

I do need to double check the VIN plate on the car though. Michigan has a tendency to screw up VIN numbers on titles, especially when there isn't a bank note on the title LOL
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Old Oct 1, 2025 | 09:17 AM
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I was way wrong, my car does have the 78 up style dash...sorry for misleading, Ive spent more time under this car than in it. I did discover though, we dont have any interior lighting, no dash lights no indicators no dome/map light. Does this sound like it may be a/some fuse issue, or possible a bad headlight switch? The switch does activate the lights, and they do pop up when running. but turning the **** makes no dim or turning of lights on or off. All turn signals and 4 ways operate, all brake and parking lights come on as well, just nothing interior.

heres my car too to show I was wrong about the dash


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Old Oct 1, 2025 | 09:33 AM
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I'd stick to my original suggestion. After you check all of the fuses (78 was the last year for glass fuses), check the printed circuit boards on the back of the gauges.

Also, twist the headlight switch. There's a coil rheostat inside. Sometimes it corrodes in a single spot, but other spots work.
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Old Oct 1, 2025 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
I'd stick to my original suggestion. After you check all of the fuses (78 was the last year for glass fuses), check the printed circuit boards on the back of the gauges.

Also, twist the headlight switch. There's a coil rheostat inside. Sometimes it corrodes in a single spot, but other spots work.
Thanks man. I did turn the ****, I learned that from my old monte carlo when I thought the interior lights didnt work. Theres nothing happening throughout the range, and even when it clicks on/off all the way over. Looks like ill be doing the backstroke under the dash to checkout the fuses lol
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Old Oct 2, 2025 | 07:55 AM
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See if your back up lights work. They are on the same fuse as the directional signals.
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Old Oct 2, 2025 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by bruiser
See if your back up lights work. They are on the same fuse as the directional signals.
They do work. All of the exterior lamps work as they should.

Oddly enough, my old lady went out to the garage yesterday and said the dome light was on in the vette. Maybe that rheostat had some corrosion on it that I scraped off from messing with it or somethinig. I havent sat back in it to see whats up now, though i did get a new headlight switch on the way anyhow.
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