Gents -
You guys are al ways dead on when tackling a problem or offering tips on how to do stuff easier. I got a problem I need help with.

On 66 Cutlass has a parking lamp that is dim and wont blink when the blinker is engaged. Is that a ground issue ?

I took the steering column apart and the mechanicals in there are all good and the bulb is new....

HELP!

Thanks.

GUY

 

66 turn signal switches are funky, everything goes thru it, like the park lamps brake lamps etc, and if theres a problem with the switch it will do exactly what ya say, and id say since it doesnt flash the switch has a problem...in my experience if it was a gorund it wouldnt even come on or it would be very dim

of course, id check grounds, but i bet it the switch or flasher..

 

Thanks - the light is very dim at the Front right corner. The left side blinks, front and pack with correct brightness.

 

Was the correct bulb used (1157) and installed correctly? In some sockets I have found it easy to put them in backwards. What does it do when you turn on the parking lights? If bright, then its backwards.
Check the ground at that socket, too.

 

Yup -

1157 with the 2 nipples on the bottom.

New Bulb. Installed the proper way. I also think the housing needs a good clean up.

 

Try a wire jumper from the metal socket to some bare metal on the frame with blinker on. This will check your ground.
Does the parking light porton work?

 

Parking light works fine.

 

You may need to trace that one signal light wire back up through the harness, back to the fuse box and check every connection in between. You could start at the base of the column in the harmonica connector. Check voltage with blinker on. Should have 12V, 0, 12V, 0, etc. If less than 11.5V, comething is wrong up in the column.

 

The indicator light in the dash normally runs on the front turn circuit. What's it doing?


There's something about the constant reference to a singular bulb that bugs me. Probably just me. What's going on with the back end?


The bulbs, front and rear are duel filament bulbs. If a filament breaks and falls into the other one it can short the turn circuit to the park circuit and give you weird results that act like a bad ground.

 

The indicator on the dash, lights and so does the rear. I am also getting 12v in the column ( checked the pin connectors under the cancelling cam)

I really think its a ground - the lamp housing is pretty yucky.

When I put the new bulb in, there was no resistance in the socket, it went in and I twisted it. Usually the sockets have a little springiness to hold the bulb in there.

 

Yep, use the wire jumper from the bulb base ground to chassis and see what happens.

 

Someone makes a pigtail lead with spring to rebuild those sockets. Check with your favorite auto store.

 

"...harmonica connector" LOL!

 

I joined too late to have ever interacted with Rob but I’ve heard nothing but great things about him. There’s no mistaking that plug for anything other than a harmonica I’ll agree to that!

 

This forum has been so helpful to me...and entertaining, as well!