Hi, I have a 71 cutlass and the left turn signal and left brake light work but the right side does not. A little history here - everything was working fine except for the right rear turn signal. The spring in the right tail light's socket needed to get replaced. The right directional was blinking but I had to wiggle/hold the bulb in for it to work. I cut the wires and removed the contact's springs (one was busted) and replaced it with a new electrical connector.

I now have these issues, only the left rear directional works, tail lights turn on for both sides but the brake lights do not work on the right side when i press on them. I have tried changing the bulb and still no fix. When I put the emergency flashers on both of the front directionals work and the left rear tail light blinks but not the right rear. I can't see it being a ground issue if the tail light comes on when the headlight switch is pulled out. What gives, what am I missing?

Thanks

 

I believe its still related to the wire feeding that socket. Have you put a meter or test light on that wire prior to your splice?

 

I am using the connector pictured as the replacement on the upper section of the right tail light.

 

No, but I'll test it now and let you know what I find.

 

Since you have a 71, do BOTH RH turn/stop lamps not work?

You are correct, it isn't a ground issue if the RH tail light works. Note that the turn and brake circuits use the same wire to the socket and the same filament in the 1157 bulb. The problem is either the socket contact (unlikely if both top and bottom do not work), the wire to the socket, or the turn signal switch. The brake light circuit goes through the turn signal switch.

Start by disconnecting the connector that connects to the tail light assembly. Check for power on the turn/brake terminal using a test light. If that works, the problem is in the tail light assembly or the wire. If no power, trace the wire to the turn signal connector and check there. If good, fix the wire. If not, replace the switch.

 

It sounds like a problem that's isolated to the right rear bright filament, so you need to follow along and chase it down.

I'd probably start at the harmonica connector on the steering column - disconnect it and put a hot clip on the wire for that filament, then see if the light goes on - if it does, you're good right up to the column, if it does not, you need to move rearward, checking the wire at each point until you find the discontinuity.

- Eric

edit: I see Joe got a suggestion in while I was typing - his way is fine, too.

 

Thanks you all for the input, I'm heading off to work in a few moments so this will have to wait until tomorrow.

 

I found the problem and fixed it - thank you again for the assistance. My problem was up in the steering column - easy fix.

 

Thought so.

When you have time, it would be great if you could explain what was wrong, as it may help others in the future.

- Eric

 

Glad you found it

 

Okay, here is my tale of stupidity. I had installed a rally pack gauge setup and was using the instructions I found here for changing the pin connection and Randy C. had stated "The temp check circuit can be disconnected by simply backing out the green wire from your ignition harness, down on the steering column where the ignition harness connects into the under-dash harness, and then taping it off." I ended up cutting this green wire but did not notice a change - hence my problem was with the green wire because it fed the brake and turn signals for the right side of my car. I ended up splicing the wire back together and voila my brake and directional signals work once again. I truly appreciated the help from everyone.

 

LOL, would never have guessed that.

 

Hey all.

I had the exact same problem as tdhill01. Installed Rally Pack gauges in my 72 Supreme Ragtop. I too found info on this site about disconnecting the green wire from the harness on the steering column. And that’s when the problem started un be known to me. I was going for a ride the other day and noticed the right rear brake and turn signal not working. First thing I did was change bulbs, but……Before getting to far into trouble shooting I thought I would check out the forum for possible solutions. And low and behold I found tdhill01’s problem and solution. I was lucky as I did not cut the green at the time, I had just backed the pin out and just had to slide it back in for for the fix. All is good now.

It was recommended to disconnect the green wire on the steering column as it said it was for the idiot lights. Unfortunately with a limited number of colors back in the day green wire was used on brake & turn signals as well as on the rally pack wiring harness. One thing always seems to lead to another. Old cars you gotta love them.


Thank you classicoldsmoblie.com!!!!!!!!!!