Vintage Oldsmobiles Curved Dash, Limited Touring, Models 40, 53, 66; Series 60, 70, 90

1948 6 Volt Issues - Turn signals - Dome lamp

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Old Oct 31, 2022 | 06:10 AM
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1948 6 Volt Issues - Turn signals - Dome lamp

Hello,

I had 2 issues over the weekend.

1. I drove the car for the first time at night. So for some reason my turn signals do not work when my headlights are on. Push headlight switch in and they start blinking. Any ideas where I need to start? I'm thinking bad HL switch?

2. My dome light was staying lit all the time (first time it has happened). I pulled the lens off and started to remove the base. As soon as I started to loosen the metal dome base the bulb went off. So I proceeded to remove the base in it's entirety. Couldn't see anything except the old wires.

I went to re-install the base and got zapped...saw a spark from dome lamp base to the screw I was installing and the base instantly turned red hot.

Pull the battery cable quickly as to not have roasted Olds for dinner.

Thanks

Old Oct 31, 2022 | 06:14 AM
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Sounds like your dome light is finding a ground to complete the circuit somewhere within the base. Also make sure you have the correct bulb.
Old Oct 31, 2022 | 07:23 AM
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I agree, your light is most likely hunting for a ground.. Tedd
Old Oct 31, 2022 | 07:31 AM
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I found the correct bulb (#82) out of CA last week.

Hunting for a ground? According to the wiring diagram it grounds when attached to roof mount.

Why the spark? Normal?
Old Oct 31, 2022 | 09:04 AM
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See my response to your thread over on AACA.
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 11:00 AM
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6 volt systems are very sensitive to poor ground connections, and cable connections.

Bob
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by BobsFiftyEight
6 volt systems are very sensitive to poor ground connections, and cable connections.

Bob
Bob,

Seems to be a common thread. I just ordered a bag of ground straps.

Thanks
Lee
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
See my response to your thread over on AACA.
Let us in on what that response was.
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Let us in on what that response was.

"The 1154 bulbs used in the park/tail/turn signal applications have two filaments and a common ground. When the ground goes bad, the turn signals ground through the park/tail circuit. This works fine with the lights off. Once you put the lights on, there is full battery voltage on those lamps, not ground. That's why they don't work with the lights on. Verify the grounds at the park/turn sockets before replacing anything."
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Let us in on what that response was.
Exactly the same response when the problem is a 12V system. Just substitute 1157 for 1154.
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 03:56 PM
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Took a quick look tonight and my negative cable goes to my starter only.
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