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12-15-2022, 07:24 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
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Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Hey gents, I've been trying to track down the cause of my intermittent signal light issue and thought I might as well ask you guys since someone must have ran into the same symptoms and can hopefully point me in the right direction instead of me doing the shotgun approach.
Here are the weird symptoms, let me know what you think.. -Both signals seem to work fine at start up (outside and on the dash) -Left side seems to work properly 95% of the time -After a few minutes of running, the right side front quits working and the green light on the dash stops flashing or it stays solid green - While this happens, the rear tailights always work fine and flash no matter what the dash green lights show. What I've done: - Added a ground strap from the rad mount to the frame (nothing changed) - Changed the signal flasher with a new one (nothing changed) I'm thinking it could be a ground on either the front bumper signal or the fender signal and plan on redoing those grounds in the next few days. I hope it's not the signal mechanism in the column, are these symptoms pointing to this piece as faulty? The mechanism does click and cancel properly as I drive. Thanks for any help, cheers
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1971 Chev C10 - 250ci L6 w/3 speed on the floor Upgrades: Power Steering 3 Core Radiator 7 Hole Gauge Cluster Power Brakes (Incoming!!..) 1971 350 (Incoming!!..) |
12-15-2022, 09:14 PM | #2 |
Who Changed This?
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,523
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
I'd say clean all connections and put something on them to keep them from corroding.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
12-15-2022, 09:19 PM | #3 |
State of Confusion!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,978
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Sounds like a loose ground or dirty ground. I just redid all the battery cables, engine, chassis, , and cab grounds on my truck to get rid of intermittent electrical. Also remember to check the dash cluster circuit board. They tend to crack and become finicky with age. Also if yours have working side marker lights check those sockets and grounds as they tend to get over looked.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 12-16-2022 at 07:34 AM. |
12-16-2022, 12:53 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
It's the lack of grounding of the signal housing to the front bumper and to the rear quarter panels.
I got tired of that problem and soldered a wire onto the back of each signal housing and grounded each. End of that PITA problem! Post-edit: it's been a long time but IIRC I soldered the ground wire right to the back of the bulb unit and not to the housing, but I can't remember.
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72 Chev C-10 90% restored (former AZ truck) ... 71 Chev K-20 Cheyenne my vacation crusier... 72 Chev C-10 Now retired and striped after many faithful miles... 72 GMC 1500 Retired to the junk yard after bought new in '71... Last edited by roger0080; 12-16-2022 at 04:21 PM. |
12-16-2022, 08:31 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Awesome, thanks guys! I'm happy to hear it sounds more like a ground issue than the steering column signal assembly being faulty. I'll add some grounds shortly and report back hoping it's fixed. Fingers crossed!!
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1971 Chev C10 - 250ci L6 w/3 speed on the floor Upgrades: Power Steering 3 Core Radiator 7 Hole Gauge Cluster Power Brakes (Incoming!!..) 1971 350 (Incoming!!..) |
12-16-2022, 09:34 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere"
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Not your column...And I agree on the grounding issue. A poor ground in the rear will effect both the front and rear on that side. So although you took steps to add ground straps to the core support, a poor ground to the bed or elsewhere may still be your culprit. I've done what Roger0080 did only instead of solder I used ring terminals with a length of black wire. Clean the surfaces and use star washers. Spray the rust prone areas with undercoat or even paint. Good Luck!
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Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American" |
12-16-2022, 09:55 PM | #7 |
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
I had very similar issues on my '71 camaro and battled it for a couple of years. Only difference is mine worked in the front but not the back and it was the left side that was wonky. It would also flash a little slower on the left when it was working. Kept swapping bulbs, resoldering wires, new flasher, putting in new bulb sockets. It would get better briefly then come right back. Usually better at startup then would start malfunctioning partway through the drive. I studied the wiring diagram and decided the only thing left it could be was the switch mechanism in the column. Put a new one in and it has been perfect for a year now. Maybe the wiring isn't exactly the same in the trucks, but just thought I would share. It wasn't that hard or expensive to change.
Last edited by Tom70C20; 12-16-2022 at 10:06 PM. Reason: correction |
12-16-2022, 10:23 PM | #8 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Quote:
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1971 Chev C10 - 250ci L6 w/3 speed on the floor Upgrades: Power Steering 3 Core Radiator 7 Hole Gauge Cluster Power Brakes (Incoming!!..) 1971 350 (Incoming!!..) |
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12-16-2022, 10:52 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Berlin, nj
Posts: 65
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
I’ve had a few electrical gremlins over my years. Basically. A few beers, razor blades and voltage meter. Spend the day taking the wire harness apart and trace each wire. I had a crushed wire that when it got hot, lost connection with the crank position sensor. Only got hot when doing highway speed for about 30 minutes. Wire was crushed during the assembly between a intake runner and valve cover.
So just trace from the light to the switch and take your time. Could just be a frayed or broken wire that will barely be visible.
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Please be patient. I’m a ford guy. This is my 1st Chevy. Previous cars: 1973 mustang convertible 2003 mustang Mach 1 Now building resto mod 68 C10 step |
12-16-2022, 11:36 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 474
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
I have this same issue with the right front and I've isolated it to the bulb socket. It seems the buttoms have lost material due to corrosion and don't make contact.
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12-18-2022, 01:06 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Posts: 343
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Thanks a bunch guys for all your troubleshooting stories. This gives me a good idea where to start and what it could be. I hope to work on it again this week and see if I can track the problem down. I'll update the thread when I know more!
Thanks again!
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1971 Chev C10 - 250ci L6 w/3 speed on the floor Upgrades: Power Steering 3 Core Radiator 7 Hole Gauge Cluster Power Brakes (Incoming!!..) 1971 350 (Incoming!!..) |
12-23-2022, 07:54 PM | #12 |
Not a bad nut after all..
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ND
Posts: 1,756
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
I've had similar problems with these '71 & '72 Chevy front turn signals. My fix about 10 years ago was to remove the signal housing (also lens and bulb) and "recrimp" the socket to the signal housing from the front with a punch so the ground was reliable again.
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'05 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 '72 GMC LWB 4x2 driver '72 Chevy LWB 4x4 plow truck '71 Blazer 4x4 driver '70 GMC LWB trailer |
12-23-2022, 09:26 PM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Posts: 343
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Interesting! So you just dented in the rim around the socket to re-establish the ground?
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1971 Chev C10 - 250ci L6 w/3 speed on the floor Upgrades: Power Steering 3 Core Radiator 7 Hole Gauge Cluster Power Brakes (Incoming!!..) 1971 350 (Incoming!!..) |
12-24-2022, 08:06 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
Sounds like your blinker fluid is low .
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1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop |
01-03-2023, 08:47 PM | #15 |
Not a bad nut after all..
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ND
Posts: 1,756
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Re: Troubleshooting Help with Intermittent Signal lights
The socket is crimped to the housing, and the crimp loosened up over time making the ground intermittent. I used the punch to walk around the perimeter to tighten the crimp up again.
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'05 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 '72 GMC LWB 4x2 driver '72 Chevy LWB 4x4 plow truck '71 Blazer 4x4 driver '70 GMC LWB trailer |
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