Turn signal help please

[landarts]

I finally got my long term project back on the road recently. I am having issues with the turn signals. I installed a brand new American Autowire classic upgrade harness for the complete truck. Ground locations were cleaned well and used the serrated washer that really bites good. So here is what is going on.

-When I have the running lights on and apply right turn signal it works great very bright, left tail light goes out

-if I turn off running lights and apply left turn signal it works but very dim and slower blink rate

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by landarts

I finally got my long term project back on the road recently. I am having issues with the turn signals. I installed a brand new American Autowire classic upgrade harness for the complete truck. Ground locations were cleaned well and used the serrated washer that really bites good. So here is what is going on.

-When I have the running lights on and apply right turn signal it works great very bright, left tail light goes out

-if I turn off running lights and apply left turn signal it works but very dim and slower blink rate

First thing I would do is take the bulbs out and clean the bases of the bulbs, contacts, and sockets good. Second, remove the screws that hold the housings in and clean them up and re-seat them making sure that the inside of the housings are clean around the holes. Third, double check the ground straps from the bed to the frame and from the frame to the engine or negative cable depending on how you have the frame grounded.

Report back.

LockDoc

[TruDom]

what lockdoc said... poor connection somewhere maybe even the bulbs themselves could try switching them from one side to other.

if you have a multimeter could narrow it down faster resistance checking connections, looking for a high ohm reading.

[landarts]

All bulbs, housings, wiring, battery cables all brand new. In areas where ground wires are I rough up to bare metal and used serrated washer that grabs. I have tried switching new bulb across and same outcome. Is it possible there is something wrong with new housing on left side? I have an old one that I could try.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Is the front doing the same as the rear?

Are you using five or more ground straps? I'm sure you know the headlights and rear markers ground to sheet metal as well. "divorced grounds".......Ha, I don't know what they're called.

Doesn't seem a lot can go wrong with the housings, but who knows, it's simple enough to rule it out. Wouldn't be the flasher I'd think.

[randy500]

I suspect no ground to left tail lamp or left front running lamp.

Test ground this way and only this way...it’s quick and easy

Attach wire to known ground touch other end to bulb base with lens off which gives the bulb a ground that bypasses the housing and what it is attached to.

If all is good, touch wire to lamp housing to test it for continuity, Etc till you find which bulb isn’t grounded.

Ignore and throw out all other ideas until the housings are grounded and tested.

[randy500]

And forget all the....I cleaned, star wahsers, new housings, bulbs etc, check the grounds and use verified bulbs...verified bulbs come from the working side not from packages.

[landarts]

I have fixed the issue with turn signals, had to remove some of the paint off of the area wear the clips and cleaned up the screw clips. I guess when I painted the truck it covered that ground location. Thanks for the help and suggestions. Chalk it up to another self inflected wound.

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by landarts

I have fixed the issue with turn signals, had to remove some of the paint off of the area wear the clips and cleaned up the screw clips. I guess when I painted the truck it covered that ground location. Thanks for the help and suggestions. Chalk it up to another self inflected wound.

Glad you found the issue! Good thorough grounding practices can never be over emphasized, especially during assembly.

Not all electrical problems are grounding problems, but 90% of electrical problems are grounding problems.

One trick while sorting out or pin pointing the issue is to use a long jumper wire with alligator clips, go directly to your battery neg post and then ground the problem at its end result. if the problem goes away then start back tracking.

I also use on good clean grounding surfaces, bulb socket bases etc. Dielectric grease it helps keep out dirt, moisture and oxidation...good stuff!