Turn signals not working.

[Damon23]

I can manually get them to flash both the front and the back. But if I turn on the headlights then only the back will manually flash and the very fronts wont. The side markers will but the fronts wont. I can get all of them to manually flash with just the marker lights on.

When I pulled the bulb out of the front passenger side the side marker light went dim. I re-install it and the side marker is bright again. Strange. What is up with the headlight thing? I did notice that one of the headlights was dim at one time untill I messed with the plug in the back and it has been fine since. Is there a ground for the front lights on the firewall somewhere? And where is the relay that makes them flash? There has to be something somewhere. I will try anything to want me too, but i'm no electrician. Thanks in advance.

Damon.

[Camaro6662]

Check Flasher,bulb then ground

[76zo6CAMARO]

Hey Damon. I believe it does have something to do with the ground. I'm not an electrician either, but sometimes when I change the bulbs on mine I'll get some funky things going on. Then I just pull the socket back out and turn it and reinstall it and it will clear things up. I think the way the bulbs are "daisy chained" you have to have the socket installed just right.

[Damon23]

I'll check the flasher. I thought that was just for the hazzard lights. John, you feel my pain with these things then. If the flasher is not the issue then I guess I have to pull the grille and lights back out and hunt for the ground. I do need a new headlight adjuster for the top passenger side. The clip that held in the top one broke and the car looks like it has a lazy eye.

[A79Classic]

If your getting lights that are dim then it sounds like a ground... that may also effect the functioning of the flasher module. If I'm not mistaken the flasher requires a specific amount of resistance/(load) in order to operate correctly. No electrician here, but have done a little bit.

[Damon23]

Thanks Mark. I've gotta check out the ground for the lights. Maybe tomorrow. I'm going to pick up a new flasher anyway. So it is not just me putting off sleep tonight fearing what is waiting for me in the morning.

[76zo6CAMARO]

Since you had all the bulbs and sockets pulled for painting, you may need to check all the sockets and make sure they are installed correctly and making good contact in the housing.

[A79Classic]

Since you had all the bulbs and sockets pulled for painting, you may need to check all the sockets and make sure they are installed correctly and making good contact in the housing.
He has a VERY valid point there.. you should also look inside the sockets/connectors and make sure they didn't get overspray in them..

[Chick]

I was thinking the same thing...if everything worked before the dissassemby/paint, then break it all down and make sure things are back the way they are supposed to be and making good contact. Might turn out to be something simple...

which reminds me of a story...

Back in the early 90's when we owned a '79 Camaro, the car developed a problem with the turn signals. We checked everything we could think of and ended up thinking it was a bad ground in the turn signal unit in the column so we replaced it. No joy. I got good at pulling that steering wheel and using hand signals though... :p A few months later I noticed a faint difference in the way the left rear turn signal illuminated. Turns out all this time we had accidentally put the wrong kind of replacement bulb in it (non directional) just before the "problem". :o

[Damon23]

You know what Chick? I did'nt check to make sure the 1157's I bought were directional or not. They were amber for the fronts and clear for the backs. I will check that out when I go to the store and get a new flasher. Thanks.

[Damon23]

Well, advanced auto parts has a knowledgeable person after all. I was in there to buy a flasher and I told him the problem I was having. He told me that if the bulbs were in backwards you would have this problem. I blew it off. I've never had to deal with that. Well, low and behold the **** bulbs, both in the front were in.....backwards. I turned on the lights after I removed the tail lights and front turn signal housings and played with each bulb starting with the rear and nothing. I did find out that I need a new 1156 for the back up as one broke as I turned it. I reached in and hit the flashers and they worked. I was frustrated. I played with the front bulb and turned it around from the position it was in and it blinked. I did the same on the other side and now I have turn signals. Amazing. I found a new person to gravitate too when I go in there from now on. I really started to come unglued when the flashers worked, untill I turned on the headlights. Again, this has never crossed my mind. Thanks for all the replies and worries.

Damon.

[76zo6CAMARO]

Glad you got it worked out.

[A79Classic]

same here bud... SO glad you got it figured out and that it was a simple fix!!! :)

[Chick]

Well, low and behold the **** bulbs, both in the front were in.....backwards.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My story helped........ Unbelievable!! :D