Wiring Woes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Your41Plague12 · 01-25-2011, 01:09 AM

Ok guys, I have two separate issues, and I'm hoping someone can enlighten me. The search turned up no results. I just swapped in an 83-84 grille, and now my left turn signal only works when my headlights are off. When the headlights are on, the turn signal in the grille will not flash. It doesn't get dimmer or brighter. The side marker does work though. When the headlights are off, it works fine. The 4-ways work fine with the headlights on and off. I didn't change the wiring at all, and it worked fine with my old (86) grille. I'm stumped on this one. My second issue is even more ridiculous. When I have my 4-ways on and I press the brake pedal, the 4-ways go solid. I imagine the wiring is crossed somewhere between the two, but I'm not sure. Keep in mind, this truck has been so frankensteined together over the years that almost nothing is original. The wiring has been completely butchered by a multitude of people, and I'm just trying to bring it back to 100% working order. It's just difficult to work around other people's previous mistakes. Any ideas? Thanks guys.

Steve

**hatzie** · 01-25-2011, 03:36 AM

Check the ground connections on the radiator support.

Jonboy · 01-25-2011, 10:26 AM

There should be one on each side, right behind the headlights. Definitely sounds like a ground issue.

ironroad9c1 · 01-25-2011, 11:02 AM

clean the paint from under the ground screws real good and wire brush the ground lugs and screws.

dropd80s · 01-25-2011, 11:40 AM

When you have your 4 ways on and you hit the brakes, they are supposed to go solid so someone can see if you are stopping.

ont_guy_38 · 01-25-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropd80s

When you have your 4 ways on and you hit the brakes, they are supposed to go solid so someone can see if you are stopping.

Exactly

Your41Plague12 · 01-27-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropd80s

When you have your 4 ways on and you hit the brakes, they are supposed to go solid so someone can see if you are stopping.

D'oh! I should have known that. I'm so used to looking at the back of the newer cars/trucks with separate turn signal assemblies that keep blinking independently of what the brake lights are doing. Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

datguysaL · 01-27-2011, 09:40 PM

make sure your using regular bulbs. if your using the LED lights, then that could be your problem. i switchd to LED and they gave me hell, i just went old school and tossed the new stuff.

Your41Plague12 · 01-28-2011, 10:47 PM

Nope, no LED bulbs here. Regular 1157A's. Where are these grounds on my rad support, behind my grille or on the other side, like by my radiator on the engine compartment side?

JuicyJ · 01-29-2011, 03:20 AM

Your grounds should be on the engine side.

01-25-2011, 01:09 AM	#1
Your41Plague12 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,009	Wiring Woes Ok guys, I have two separate issues, and I'm hoping someone can enlighten me. The search turned up no results. I just swapped in an 83-84 grille, and now my left turn signal only works when my headlights are off. When the headlights are on, the turn signal in the grille will not flash. It doesn't get dimmer or brighter. The side marker does work though. When the headlights are off, it works fine. The 4-ways work fine with the headlights on and off. I didn't change the wiring at all, and it worked fine with my old (86) grille. I'm stumped on this one. My second issue is even more ridiculous. When I have my 4-ways on and I press the brake pedal, the 4-ways go solid. I imagine the wiring is crossed somewhere between the two, but I'm not sure. Keep in mind, this truck has been so frankensteined together over the years that almost nothing is original. The wiring has been completely butchered by a multitude of people, and I'm just trying to bring it back to 100% working order. It's just difficult to work around other people's previous mistakes. Any ideas? Thanks guys. Steve __________________ Steve Member of the Foot Pedal Club '83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL, Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, 350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400

01-25-2011, 03:36 AM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,912	Re: Wiring Woes Check the ground connections on the radiator support.

01-25-2011, 10:26 AM	#3
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Wiring Woes There should be one on each side, right behind the headlights. Definitely sounds like a ground issue. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

01-25-2011, 11:02 AM	#4
ironroad9c1 Master Hater Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Temple,Tx. Posts: 402	Re: Wiring Woes clean the paint from under the ground screws real good and wire brush the ground lugs and screws. __________________ 1997 C1500 ECSB 4.3/NV3500 8.5 3.42 "This evening, all of you bleeding hearts... why don't just go ahead and hug yourself for the next 20 minutes or so, because there's a really good chance you're gonna be offended".- Captain Owen Honors

01-25-2011, 11:40 AM	#5
dropd80s Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: wichita falls tx Posts: 429	Re: Wiring Woes When you have your 4 ways on and you hit the brakes, they are supposed to go solid so someone can see if you are stopping.

01-27-2011, 09:40 PM	#8
datguysaL Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 155	Re: Wiring Woes make sure your using regular bulbs. if your using the LED lights, then that could be your problem. i switchd to LED and they gave me hell, i just went old school and tossed the new stuff.

01-28-2011, 10:47 PM	#9
Your41Plague12 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,009	Re: Wiring Woes Nope, no LED bulbs here. Regular 1157A's. Where are these grounds on my rad support, behind my grille or on the other side, like by my radiator on the engine compartment side? __________________ Steve Member of the Foot Pedal Club '83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL, Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, 350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400

01-29-2011, 03:20 AM	#10
JuicyJ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 123	Re: Wiring Woes Your grounds should be on the engine side. __________________ America is all about speed, hot nasty bad ass speed

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