fiber optics repair
 

Okay, this may be in the archives but I did a search and found nothing. Has anyone repaired their fiber optics? How difficult is it and are there kits? Only one of my indicators works now.

I just bought a FO repair kit from Corvette Central. Haven't put it in, but they are out there. They also sell the ferules for the tips.

the lumination will decrease sharply compared to new optics.

These were the responses to my similar thread recently ....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ber&forum_id=3

I used "fiber" as the key word to find it in search.

If you have multiple optic indicators out, your problem is probably more complicated (lens, boots, cracks, dirt, breaks, etc.). Those kits are just a small section of fiber with shrink wrap to fix a break in a cable.

Mark

I remember talking to parts man at the dealer one day and he told me GM makes or made a repair kit for use on Cadillac's. He implied they had also used fiber optics similar to the Vettes. Don't know if the kit is still available or any part numbers for it.

I Just "fixed" mine. I was in the same situation with only one working so some or all of this may apply to you.

In my case the tail light ends were covered in overspray. The last guy who painted it just took off the tail light lenses and sprayed away. I removed the overspray with laquer thinner and they worked.

The front head lights and rear license light just needed cleaning. The headlights are supposed to have a small rubber ring between the fiber pickup and headlight tab to keep dust out. I only had 1 of the four remaining but even it had let in a lot of dirt. I cleaned it up and replaced them with a short piece of unshrunk heatshrink tubing.


I found a previous splice in one high beams which make that fiber barely visible. But even with the cleaning the "good" ones vary in intensity, some are a little brighter than others.

So check for dirt first and you may not need to splice at all.

Tom

Here is a link to at least one recent forum discussion of fiber optic repairs.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ics&forum_id=3

Oops, Sorry didn't see Gearheadz post

I work with fiberoptics and every time you have a joint you loose a lot of light. If we get a broken piece we replace the entire length.
The ends must be clean. Look for kinks or sharp bends, that can also cut down on transmission. I'm glad I don't have them on my '82.
Good luck.