Problem with one of my front signals/day light running lamps.

First, the car was in a minor accident a few weeks back - the problem started after that so, duh - I think I know the cause now I'm just trying to track down/solve.

At first, I thought the bulb had blown but I swapped the bulbs, left to right and the bulb works on the other side so it’s not the bulb.

Next I traced the wires back to through the wiring loom junction and have wiggled them around and at the point where they enter the socket - no luck.

I've checked fuses but just for something to do while I waste time 'cause the passenger side works fine and I doubt they are on different circuits.

There is some power getting to the bulb because one of the two strands in the bulb illuminates with Day Time Running Lights on providing a low glow but this goes out when I turn on the parking or headlights.

The flasher goes about twice as fast on the driver side compared to the passenger and the "right" turn signal on the dash stays illuminated when the parking/headlights are up…so the feature telling me I have a bulb out is working but as stated, the bulb is not the problem.

So, that's what I know - any help? Any ideas?

Can a socket go bad or is there a relay I'm missing that might have gotten bumped in the accident?

I've got a volt/ohm meter but don't have a clue how to use it to check for power at the bulb side of the socket...step by step instructions to check the socket is most appreciated.

 

It sounds like a ground problem to me. All of the turn and park lights have grounds that connect together at a ground junction block that is wrapped into the front bumper wire harness and sits just to the left of the right front light assembly. You may be able to get to it by removing the right headlight and reaching through the right side into the center compartment. You will have to remove the wrapping tape of the harness in order expose the junction block.

If any of these grounds are interrupted, you will get the kind of problems you describe. For example, if the ground wire coming from the dual filament bulb on the driver side is disconnected, then the left turn signal current will find its way back through the parking light circuit to ground, and all the parking lights will glow dimly. The left turn signal will also flash at a higher rate because it can't send enough current through the turn signal circuit. If you turn on the parking lights, the current coming to the left parking light will return through the left turn signal circuit and cause the outside turn signal bulb to glow dimly while the instrument panel left turn bulb will be on solid.

My recommendation is that you check all those ground connections. If the problem isn't there, there is another ground junction block up on the right front frame horn. However, if the problem is there, then all of your light circuits will be malfunctioning... not just one side.

 

Thanks much! You've confirmed my thoughts - it's a ground somewhere. I'm close to simply ordering a new socket thinking the housing/insulator is bad but would rather exhaust all other options such as a bad ground. Power is getting to the bulb, hence the low glow...I'll follow your recommendations later this evening and let you know what I find.

 

Found it! The blurry picture below is taken through the front Z06 screen - if you look close you'll see the bare wire of the ground where it stretched and broke due to the accident. I'll fix it tomorrow - need to get the car in the air.

I don't blame the shop for not finding it. The wire was hidden well within the loom and took some doing to find. I could take it back to them for repair but that's just another chance for someone else to get their paws on my car...



vinca1 - thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I traced the ground wire from the block you mentioned back to the socket and found the wire slightly protruding through the tape...I love this forum. Thanks again!

 

I'll bet it was hard to find. I thought you might have to pull the bumper in order to be able to examine the harness closely enough. I'll bet you sleep with a smile on your face tonight.