C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Problems with front and turn lights

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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 04:13 PM
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Default Problems with front and turn lights

Hello,

I just bought a 1987 corvette and I have some trouble with the front lights.

The turn lights just stays on at both sides when activated. From searching the forum for old answers I believe this may be caused by non-working bulbs or a faulty turn signal relay?

My main problem is that I can't get any light in the right driving light (yellow one).

I've tried installing a working bulb and checked the fuse panel for burned out fuses, but none of it helped.

Are there other relevant fuse panels in the vette that I missed?
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Old Apr 13, 2012 | 11:26 PM
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Did you make sure that you are getting power at the light socket? Check with a volt meter. If you aren't then there could be a wiring problem between the fuse and the light.

Are the lights at the back flashing properly? If not then check the bulbs there.

The flasher is under the dash on the passenger side. It may be faulty. Not fun to get at.
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 04:11 AM
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Turn on the emergency flasher to get them all flashing so you can see what's happening.

The yellow one is the turn signal. The white ones in the front are fog lights (the rocker switch next to the headlight switch).

The white lights on the side/front are turning lights. They only come on when the turn signals are on.
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 06:34 AM
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Take a good look at the light socket. I had an intermittant left blinker problem. The ground contact was cracked so I replaced the socket. I had a few light bulb problems when I first got my '84, all turned out to be dirty or corroded contacts in sockets or bad bulbs, nothing near as sinister as I imagined. OK the reverse lights still don't work but first I have to put the new carpets in to keep my wife happy.......
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 06:28 AM
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Thanks for the answers

I checked the turn signal flasher and it was faulty.

But it was only part of the problem. When I turn on the parking light (first pull on the light switch) only the left one of the front yellow light turn but when I activate the turn signal only the right one of the front lights blinks

So the electrical connections should be okay.

All other light, on the back or side of the vette, works perfectly. Its only the two front yellow lights which I have problem with now.

Are there any relays only related to the front turn lights?
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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I found a 1987 external light diagram. From this it seems that when the LH front turn light and the RH front park light does not work and all other lights on the car works perfectly, then the fault(s) must be located somewhere in the two red paths on the diagram below



Is S123 & S125 a junction or a relay?

These two are both a part of the front light harness, placed under the brake master cylinder.

How do I locate these points on the vette?

There should be an figure or something on page 208, fig 2-A in the FSM according to the diagram I found on the net.

Unfortunately I do have an FSM yet, its ordered, but I'm in Europe :-(

BTW sockets and wiring at the front turn/park light looks like new

Last edited by Ronaldo; Apr 16, 2012 at 01:52 PM.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 12:25 PM
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I cleaned a plug under the brake master cylinder and the left turn signal now works

But my right park light does still not work. The right turn signal works but it is dim. I think its the wrong filament that is active.

Is this a typical missing ground failure?

I have been checking the various ground connections, but no luck yet.
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Old Apr 19, 2012 | 01:24 AM
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The S numbers are splices in the wiring. Usually they crimp several wires together with a ferrule and then dip it in solder. After that they wrap black tape around the splice. It looks just like duct tape when you take it apart. The splices are buried in the wiring harness. The FSM will give you a vague and general idea of where they are.

I documented the ground locations from my '86 shop manual here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~cliff_har...s/grounds.html
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Old Apr 19, 2012 | 02:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
The S numbers are splices in the wiring. Usually they crimp several wires together with a ferrule and then dip it in solder. After that they wrap black tape around the splice. It looks just like duct tape when you take it apart. The splices are buried in the wiring harness. The FSM will give you a vague and general idea of where they are.

I documented the ground locations from my '86 shop manual here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~cliff_har...s/grounds.html
Thanks :-)

Can't wait til I get a FSM.
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