I went to get my '77 Comet inspected, and learned I had more of a turn signal problem than I realized. As long as my headlights are off, I have no signal problem. Here are the symptoms:
Doug,,, I will expose myself a bit here. I am into old Pontiacs too. 60's GTO's have bad taillight problems. I dont know how many I see that just are not working properly. What might help you is to go out and buy all new bulbs. Remove the negative battery cable and replace each and every bulb in the car. While you are at it, clean and grease each light socket. Check to see if any of the tangs are corroded badly or broken, also check to see if any visible break down in the wiring leading to a socket. I suspect some ground problems too. Number one, clean the area that your ground cable from you battery goes to your engine block. I just did this on my 70 Cyclone Spoiler and that in itself cured a couple nagging problems for me. Also on old cars, anywhere you see a ground strap going, take it apart, clean it. You will be surprised at what a difference it makes. This is a job anybody can do on a weekend afternoon. While you state that when the headlights are off you dont have a turn signal problem and this might not cure that, but it sure wont hurt, and just maybe lead you to the answer of fixing it. Also, I have seen bulbs installed incorrectly and caused weird problems like you are stating. Let us know how you get along with it. Dan
Yep sounds like a ground problem The lights are back feeding through the grounds. Like Dan said start cleaning and checking for bad bulb fittment. After looking again check the right tail/brake light bulb. sounds like it might be in backwards or have the wrong bulb installed. Good Luck. Russ
I have seen this a few times over the years with my Mav. It sounds exactly like a bad ground..I would start looking at the front right one first....
BAD Ground....... Bad Grounds..... Most definatly..... I would ask you several queestions... first... 1.) had this just accured..... like a few days ago????? 2.) have you done anything.....like add stereo.... gauges.....or a new steering wheel..... 3.) Trunk area....have you been in there to change a flat tire if ya have a spare...lol.... If any of these things do not ring a bell....into what direction or area to look at... Then I deffinatly would lean towards... rear lights.... BUT dont forget.... the actual turn signal switch its self... its.. old.. and its a moving part....even when you dont think about it ... every time you turn your steering wheel.... there are parts that move inside there so just ask yourself.. these questions... then hopefully you might hit on some thing... GOOD LUCK and write back,... Ron
Thanks for all the input to my light problem guys! I don't drive this car daily, so I don't have to depend upon it. Also, I very seldom drive it at night, so as long as I don't turn on the headlights, I won't have the symptoms. I hope to look at the lights again this weekend and I'll let you all know what I find out. I agree with you all: I suspect the right hand wiring--a definite starting place. Ironically, the last year Comets have a more stable rear light fixture. Instead of the snap-in sockets made of metal (creating the necessary ground), the lights are attached with a plastic bayonet-like fitting, so I suspect the front lights to begin with. We'll see. (I have made no wiring changes to the car in recent years. I did put a new (NOS) turn signal switch about 4 years ago). It's the darndest thing to see the emergency flashers blinking Right-Left-Right-Left-Right-Left...instead of blinking simultaneously!! I feel like I need to drive the Comet in a parade or something!
It might sound funny but try checking the high beam switch and wiring on the floor. sometimes they get rusty and lose ground. Everyone seems to agree as do I about a weak ground and checking all the sockets. Check the battery cable ground and make sure your engine and your chassis especially is grounded properly. A heavy gauge (4ga or better) will help supply a great chassis ground. FYI - Theoretically DC power actually starts at ground. Grounds are so much more important than people realize and properly grounded engines can actually see dyno proven results with proper grounding techniques. I actually build and sell grounding kits for some import cars since my mobile electronics and accessory store sells import accessories too. We have seen up to 8hp increase and a much smoother idle and power delivery with no other changes. My maverick has no engine in it right now and I don't know anyone around here who has one or I might have to design a kit for mavericks too. Darn dyno time is so expensive though. Don't mean to sound like a nerd but I just think it's kinda interesting and sometimes we overlook simple things.
Update Before it rained this afternoon, I raised the hood and trunk and used my test light on the wires immediately before the sockets on both the front and back right turn lights. The test light functioned just as the lights should with the lights turned off. When the lights were turned on, both leads were hot and continuous with the right turn signal on. Then it rained!! (That's as far as I got).
