Turn signal/brake light problem.

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Jamie Miles, Oct 12, 2010.

  1. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    Having an electrical problem with my '72 beater. When I hit my brakes, both turn signal indicators in the dash and the the turn signals on the front of the car light up as well (brake lights on the back of the car work fine). The turn signals themselves do not work at all. Everything worked fine on the way to work this morning, problem started at some point on the way home this evening. I'm sure it's something simple like a bad ground, but I'm working 13-16 hours a day 6 days a week and really just don't have the time, or feel like messing around with trouble shooting it right now, figured someone else may have had a similar problem. This car is my only transportation, so need to figure this out asap.
     
  2. Corbin Johnson

    Corbin Johnson Member

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    I was having some really funky problems with my turn signals and brake lights in my 70. It was the turn signal switch. As I found out, the brake circuit runs through that too.

    Good luck!
     
  3. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    This should be a simple fix. Check your hazzards switch to see if it's in the on position. The way they are designed the brake lights override the hazzards. If the flasher for the hazzards is bad they won't flash and neither will the turn signals and all four corners plus the indicators come on with the brakes.
     
  4. rayzorsharp

    rayzorsharp I "AM" a Maverick!

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    I also figure it's gonna be the turn signal switch.
     
  5. ford84stepside

    ford84stepside Lone Wolf

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    I know it's been said before, but check your grounds, especially in front by the headlights. Mine was doing some goofy stuff a while back, cleaning the grounds helped. My main problem turned out to be the wires going into the front grill mounted turn signal were shorting out, causing the tail light on that side to act goofy. Replaced that light assembly, problem fixed.
    So what's up with the Chevy pick up? I though you had the new motor in it running?:huh:
     
  6. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    The 4 ways have never worked since I've had the car, even with a new flasher. When you pull them on, all the lights come on for a couple of seconds, then the flasher clicks once and they shut off and stay off.

    The side markers don't come on when I hit the brakes, just the dash indicators and front turn signals. I'll replace the turn signal switch this weekend, see if it helps.

    All the wiring harnesses are original, nearly 39 years old with 361,000 miles. They're a total mess, been hacked up everywhere. Spliced and soldered everything up back when I first got the car going, but that was 5 years and 132,000 miles ago. Plus the cowl and windows leak so bad everything under the dash gets soaked every time it rains. It's a wonder anything works. If Mavericks have 9 lives, this one's on it's 12th.

    The motor I put in the Chevy turned out to be a piece of crap. I don't have time to mess with it right now.
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2010
  7. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Did you check the position of the switch? I chased the very same problem in my Torino and the hazzrds were on but not working. I moved the switch to the off position and all was well again. If that's not it then I agree with everyone else on the T/S switch. Whatever is causing this is directly behind the wheel.
     
  8. qicvick

    qicvick Member

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    push the turn signal lever forward,toward the dash and hit brakes while applying pressure to lever, see if lights are working, mine was acting similar, took out switch and flatten rivets and it worked for a while, finally took a small rubber washer,(for facets) and pushed it in slot were lever goes into steering column so it would have constant pressure on lever, that was about 4 years ago and they still work great, just got it inspected Tuesday for another year! It sure beats pulling the steering wheel again, good luck!
     
  9. diddie

    diddie Member

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    I second the motion!
     
  10. ford84stepside

    ford84stepside Lone Wolf

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    Ain't all Chevy's a piece of crap?:rofl2: Hate the motor turned out to be junk for you Jamie. Should be able to rebuild one of them for $300-$400 since parts for them are everywhere cheap!
     
  11. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    That's what it was. :slap: Don't know how it got pulled out, but pushed it back in and all is normal again.
     
  12. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Gremlins!:mad:
     
  13. mavdog71

    mavdog71 Member

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    Now its time to fix the hazard so this dont happen again
     
  14. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Probably as simple as changing the flasher.
     

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