Signals and brake lights

[Dukietown]

Been working on getting lights and signals working to avoid giving the traffic bureau any more of my money than I already have over the years. My front 2 signals are shot and will need to be replaced. The rears are... a little strange. I have no reverse lights, I'm assuming that's because my neutral safety switch is zip-tied to a bundle of wires under the hood and not actually mounted to the tranny.

I have 1 working turn signal and 1 working tail light... on opposite sides. Looking at the setup since it's just a 2-wire socket it seems like if I have power to the socket I should get working lights no? I replaced the signal switch and flasher relays. The signals in the guage cluster flash properly but they only work on one side in the back. I've tested bulbs etc and re-spliced the connectors to make sure there wasn't a short where it was already spliced. Is there somewhere/something else I can check or do I just need to run all new wiring back to those housings?

[Gunnibronco]

Its been a while, but I think I had the same kind of problem after replacing the turn signal cam inside the steering column. I had to tweek the wires on the turn signal cam to get the dash signals & actual turn signals/brake lights to line up. The voltage to the brake lights also pass through the same wires, so that is my guess. Take the steering wheel off, and try to see if the wires from the cam are sitting on the brass "buttons" behind the cam, try with the turn lever "off" and "left" and "right". Its been too long for me to give more specifics, but if the cam wires don't sit just right, it won't work. It took a few times, on & off, with the steering wheel to get it right. Hope I'm remembering right.

Chad

[Dukietown]

I'll have to look again. What do you mean by the signal cam? I'm only familiar with the cam for cancelling the signal which has no wires. Also, it was still attached to the stock steering wheel in a spare parts tub until I replaced the signal switch and threw it on. The signal arm looks good and the dash lights flash properly just not getting any flash on the passenger side.

[Viperwolf1]

If the turn indicators are working the front turn signals are working at the turn signal switch. Check the grounding at the core support for those turn signals. Rear grounds are also good place to start looking.

[Dukietown]

Front driver side works but the socket is rusted to the point I can't fully fit the bulb in. The wiring to the passenger side front was cut out by the PO and I haven't been able to figure out how far back it was cut to run new wiring yet. The rear grounds looked good but i'll double check em.

[Gunnibronco]

I'll have to look again. What do you mean by the signal cam? I'm only familiar with the cam for cancelling the signal which has no wires. Also, it was still attached to the stock steering wheel in a spare parts tub until I replaced the signal switch and threw it on. The signal arm looks good and the dash lights flash properly just not getting any flash on the passenger side.

Yeah, the cam to cancel the turn signal. Mine has 2 stranded (typical 18g) wires that are connected to 2 stiff metal (solid) wires on the back side. Those stiff metal wires must make contact with the brass contacts behind the cam. The installation instructions that came with my replacement cam stated that the stiff metal wires must be bent/trimmed to make proper contacts. Its been a long time, but I think there are 4 contact points, when you signal left or right the wires change the contact points.

I tried to post a pic, but it wouldn't work, so here is an ebay listing for a turn signal cam like mine (don't know if it the exact right cam or not).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shee-Mar ... 2124wt_754

I also had problems with the rear lights not being grounded at one time. I think the metal reflector must ground to the body. I figured since you had a light working on each side, the grounds were ok.

Chad

[Dukietown]

I'll have to look again. What do you mean by the signal cam? I'm only familiar with the cam for cancelling the signal which has no wires. Also, it was still attached to the stock steering wheel in a spare parts tub until I replaced the signal switch and threw it on. The signal arm looks good and the dash lights flash properly just not getting any flash on the passenger side.

Yeah, the cam to cancel the turn signal. Mine has 2 stranded (typical 18g) wires that are connected to 2 stiff metal (solid) wires on the back side. Those stiff metal wires must make contact with the brass contacts behind the cam. The installation instructions that came with my replacement cam stated that the stiff metal wires must be bent/trimmed to make proper contacts. Its been a long time, but I think there are 4 contact points, when you signal left or right the wires change the contact points.

I tried to post a pic, but it wouldn't work, so here is an ebay listing for a turn signal cam like mine (don't know if it the exact right cam or not).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shee-Mar ... 2124wt_754

I also had problems with the rear lights not being grounded at one time. I think the metal reflector must ground to the body. I figured since you had a light working on each side, the grounds were ok.

Chad

Mine's much lower tech than that. It's just a metal ring that resets the arms of the signal switch when you turn it back the other direction.

[Gunnibronco]

You are lucky, mine was a PITA to get right.

Good luck.

Chad