No signal lights 72 Custom 20

[67GMCcampercruiser]

I recently acquired a 1972 Custom 20. I installed a rebuilt starter and turned the 350 engine over. Then click click nothing. Replaced the alternator with rebuilt as the brushes in the old one were done. Starter shop says there is something robbing power from the starter. I have all the lights working but no signal lights. Pulled the steering wheel and installed a new signal switch. Nothing. I'm thinking maybe the signal problem and lack of power to the starter are related. To the right of the fuse box is some type of relay or something that has 3 wires black green and red going to it. What is it? Thanks

[Curtb1971]

The mentioned relay is the horn relay. Looks like you missing another flasher in the lower left of you fuse panel.

[VetteVet]

The little box is the horn relay. and the fuse box does not have a signal flasher. There should be two of them, one for the emergency flashers and one for the turn signals.
You might be able to take the one shown out and plug it into the other socket to test the turn signals.

[67GMCcampercruiser]

Well that was easy. Signals work. Now to find the power robbing gremlin for the starter. Thanks

[wilkin250r]

Automatic or manual transmission? If it's automatic, your power to the starter problem might be in the neutral safety switch at the base of the steering column.

Do your reverse lights work properly when you shift into reverse? That function is controlled by that same switch.

[67GMCcampercruiser]

This truck has the 4 speed transmission. The reverse lights work. The starter shop said if the key doesn't turn it over then short the starter with a screwdriver. That worked once only. Think I'll take the wires off again and check them. Can't think of anything else.

[Curtb1971]

Hmmm, maybe check your ground cable connections on the battery and engine block also your + cable at starter and battery? One other thing to do is have your battery tested at an auto parts store and that will tell you if the battery still has enough cold cranking amps. Post up some pics of what you're working with.

[67GMCcampercruiser]

I took the starter off my 69 k20 and installed it on the 72 c20. It works. I guess there is something dodgey with the rebuilt one. Then again the rebuilt one did work for awhile. Time will tell.

[wilkin250r]

Could have just been a bad rebuild.

Did you ever try the old "smack it with a hammer" trick? A lot of times when starters are going bad, the brushes get hung up between contacts or something. The solenoid activates, but the stater motor itself doesn't turn. Click, and nothing. A couple whacks with a hammer moves things just enough to make electrical contacts work and the starter works. Not real hard, but a little more than a "tap". Sometimes it even works a couple dozen times before the starter just quits completely.