light problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 18
From: Anderson SC
light problem
I have a 94 vert. I got hyper flash on both turn signals and when I press the brake pedal, the direction arrows on the display light up very dim. All fuses and bulbs are good. Any ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Have you actually removed each bulb to inspect, or just confirmed it being lit?
Reason is it really sounds like either a filament has broken and may be laying across the other filament, --OR-- you have water in the bulb connector, which can cause the same thing...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Rapid flashing is due to high current draw by the lamps. The turn signal indicators on the dash are each wired across the front turn signal filament and if both indicators are on with the brake applied, you have a defective turn signal switch. This from my 87 electrical manual, but if the 94 has an electronic module for the turn signals, that would be suspect. With the brake applied, the front turn signal lamps should not be on, check for them being on.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You need to find out why the current flowing in the turn signal circuit is excessive (flashing rate increases with increasing current). Turn the ign sw to run and put the turn signal sw in either right or left turn, get out of the car and look at the front lights, see if both turn signal lights (left and right side) are flashing rapidly and together. I suspect that they are because both of your dash turn signal indicators are on and they are connected across each front turn signal filament. If both front signal lamps are flashing, then you have a defective turn signal switch. I do not know how I can make this explanation any simpler.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 18
From: Anderson SC
You need to find out why the current flowing in the turn signal circuit is excessive (flashing rate increases with increasing current). Turn the ign sw to run and put the turn signal sw in either right or left turn, get out of the car and look at the front lights, see if both turn signal lights (left and right side) are flashing rapidly and together. I suspect that they are because both of your dash turn signal indicators are on and they are connected across each front turn signal filament. If both front signal lamps are flashing, then you have a defective turn signal switch. I do not know how I can make this explanation any simpler.
Ok I just checked the turn signals and when I put it on either direction, everything blinks dimly. So I guess I need to replace the switch? Just to clarify, it's the assembly on the column, correct?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Before you go changing the switch did you do as Admiral suggested and check all 4 rear light bulbs. The fact your t/s indicators lighting dimly when you step on the brakes indicates a crossed circuit. Do the easy/simple/cheap thing first like closely checking the bulbs. If they are OK then JFB has already given you the next likely step.
Last edited by aminnich; Feb 22, 2009 at 01:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 18
From: Anderson SC
Before you go changing the switch did you do as Admiral suggested and check all 4 rear light bulbs. The fact your t/s indicators lighting dimly when you step on the brakes indicates a crossed circuit. Do the easy/simple/cheap thing first liking closely checking the bulbs. If they are OK then JFB has already given you the next likely step.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 18
From: Anderson SC
Ok. I just replaced all 4 taillights with new bulbs. No more dim lights on the dash with brake pedal pressed. No more hyper flash. Now, when I turn signals on, the lights just stay on solid...no flash. Ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Flashing rate is proportional to the current through the flasher. Low current, slow or no flashing, high current rapid flashing. You have lamps not on, so do like I recommended before, ign sw to run, move the turn signal lever to right, get out of the car and look at the front and rear lights, and then do the same for the left turn signal position. You will find that you now have lamps that are not lit which is causing too low a current to make the flasher cycle. The sockets have white lithium grease in them to protect against water getting into them. Your car is 15 years old and lithium grease gets hard in 15 years and your new lamps you installed may not be making contact in the sockets. Remove the lamp and look into the socket to see if you have hard grease in them preventing the lamp from making connection.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 18
From: Anderson SC
I found the problem. The grounding tab in both front sockets was broken therefore it wasn't making contact. Temporarily, I bent the piece that was left over to ground the bulb and it works fine now. Thanks for all the help. 
