Hello,
after changing some front lamps, all front lamps are on when turning main lamp switch to on.
turn signal left and right are working properly alone.
any ideas where to search are welcome.

thank you from Germany
heiko

 

Did you try the dimmer switch? may be on all 4s? Push it and is what happens.

 

If I look into the wiring schema, I can only find a dimmer within the main lamp switch. But this is only for the interior lamps like cigar lighter lamp, courtesy lamp or ash tray lamp.
I will check that but not really sure what you exactly mean?

Sorry for the Late reply, ist is because of the different time zones. ;-)

 

What year car? I don't know the beak year, somewhere in the late 70s.The high/low dimmer could be the left, upper corner of the floor, under the fuse panel, OR pull the turn stalk toward you (like flash to pass).

 

The Olds was built in 1978.
I am a little bit confused as I only changed a few lamps and now I am searching an issue that wasn‘t there before

 

I made a photo from fuses and what is beside.
Is this what you meant?

 

I am sorry guys, I can't find a dimmer switch. Don't know exactly what I am looking for and where.

but I can tell something new after doing some surgery.
Everything runs well if I accelerate so that the generator delivers more power.
if the rpm goes in normal operation the flasher stops working.
Could it be that the generator has a problem or the flasher relais?

thank you for your help.

 

If the indicator for the turn signal stays on, it usually indicates a ground or bulb filament problem. The ground on the front turn signal sockets are a bad design and fail. I've tried repairing some, but you can get a replacement socket. I'm referring to the plastic ones with a separate ground. Start there, especially if you have been in there recently.
"All the front lights" sounds like you may have pinched/ shorted the parking lights to the headlights? That's quite a feat, and probably unlikely. If the headlight switch is a pull type kn0b, there are 2 detents- 1st is parking lights, 2nd is all lights.
If you can be a little more specific, it would help.

 

What front lamps did you change. The large headlights? If they were burned out but on now they are using more power. If your turn signal flasher works w/ alternator producing power, but not at idle you have a voltage problem. Your new bulbs probably take more volts. Are you saying all 4 headlights are on? There are 2 only unless you activate the bright lights. The bright lights take more voltage. Do the blinkers work w/ headlights off? Do they fail to blink when all headlights are on? You need to find the headlight dimmer switch. Check the output of the alternator/generator.

 

Thank you all for your answers.
I will try to be more precise.
In Germany you have to do an inspection every to 2 years and this year it failed, because on that day the front flashers did not work at all.
That's why I went out and bought some new bulbs for the side flasher, 5 Watt in white, as the plastic is already yellow
I also bought the 5 Watt in yellow for the front lights, the ones under the headlights..
The flasher bulbs with the two possibilties were not available but not necessary,as they were still working.

Till now I have cleand the cable from battery (-) to th engine as I have wrote this in the blog here.
Unfortunately there is no ground cable from battery to the chassis.
Don't know if someone has missed to install it?
If you guys think it is nexessary, I will install it. Even if I don't yet where to fix it on the chassis.

By the way, all sockets have already two cables.

I did not change any cables so far, but would love to change some as they are in bad conditions after more than 44 years.

Falkon: I assume also it is a voltage problem.
If I turn on the flasher, without any lights, it works fine.
When I turn on any light, the flasher stops immediately and flashes again when headlights are off again.

I will check the output of the generator as next step.
running the engine with around 850rpm - I can measure 12,4 V
when accelerating a bit it will have 14,5V
What should I expect without accelerateing here, 14 or 15 Volt, I guess?

Hope I covered everything.

 

Falkon: What does the headlight dimmer switch do, what is it for?
Can you explain it to me, please?
Thank you

 

Headlight dimmer I refer to turns on the high beams, headlights. On your car there are 4 headlights I believe. Outer 2 are regular low beams for everyday driving. The high beams are for when no one is coming toward you. On a 4 headlamp car all 4 light in high beam. Really old cars in US had a push button on the floor at top left of the brake pedal to control the high beams. Later, all cars went to a stalk switch on the steering column. Just like flashing the high beams when passing. I'm calling it a dimmer switch, but it actually turns on the high beams. Bright lights. Sounds like your problem isn't w/ the headlights at all. It's the turn signal flashers. I've had the same problem w/ several older cars. When the alternator/generator doesn't put out at least 14 volts the lights don't flash properly. The voltage draw makes the blinker blink. Not enough & it stays on solid. Sounds like you need to check the generator.

 

Thank you for the explanation.
Yes, the car has 4 headlights,
It works like you described it, but only the inner ones are high beams, outer ones stay low beams.
This is all working correctly, only the flasher in combination with headlights however has a problem.
What do you think about the measerment of the alternator, shoud it has 14.5 V also without acceleration?

 

Yes. It sounds like the alternator isn't putting out enough power. Can you get it tested somewhere? That year car would have an internal voltage regulator, inside the alternator as all modern cars do now.

 

I'm not saying it is causing the electrical problem you now have; but, the small ground wire from the battery cable to the chassis is important.

Good luck!!!

 

Yes, I thought it is important as it was mentioned in another post here in the blog.
But do you have an idea if it is connected on a certain point to the chassis or doesn't it matter?
Thanks

 

Most went to the fender close to the battery. What model 1978? Someone can probably give you a picture of exactly where the factory location is. The exact location isn't critical but might as well put it as original.

Good luck!!!

 

yes, model year is 1978.
I will place a ground wire to the body next days and have ordered a new alternator.
Hope this will fix the issue and the car will pass the german inspection (TÜV).
Otherwise I am not allowed to drive the car.

 

Hopefully the new alternator and ground wire solve your problem. Make sure your battery cable terminals aren't smashed and old. Burnt, crispy and corroded battery cables are a NO NO.

 

Thanks for the tip, I will definitely check that.

 

Hello, just want to give a little feedback.
Measring the voltage of the alternator without accelaration was about 12.4 Volt.
It seems a little less to me as it would mean that the battery would not be charged waiting on a traffic sign.
After changing the alternator things getting better, 14.4 Volt, but not good.
Still have the issue that if I switch on the lights, turn light stops working.
Switch off the lights, turn lights work just fine.
At least I could pass the german inspection and can drive for another 2 years now.
But the issue still exists and I will keep on investigating.
Any hints are welcome.

 

At least it passed inspection. Have you replaced the flasher relay yet?

 

no, not yet, it is a two pin relay, guess it's bimetall relay.
have to look where I can get a new one

 

I would not replace the turn signal flasher.
Re-read post 12:
When the alternator/generator doesn't put out at least 14 volts the lights don't flash properly. The voltage draw makes the blinker blink. Not enough & it stays on solid. Sounds like you need to check the generator.
If the charging system voltage is only 12.4 at idle speed the charging system is not working properly. When the head lamps are turned on the voltage at idle speed will not be enough for the turn signal flasher to operate. Have you checked the alternator belt tension? A loose belt will not turn the alternator fast enough at idle speed but may work at higher RPM's.
If the belt tension is correct diagnosis of the charging system should be performed before replacing the alternator.

 

If the new alternator is producing 14.4 volts, you are OK. The flasher might be a heavy duty unit for a trailer pulling car for example. Try a new regular flasher just for the heck of it. Cheap & easy to do. A bad flasher will act like you say. Change it.

 

thank you all, I will now go for a new flasher and will come back after having changed it.
Have to see where I can get one, That's not so easy in Germany.