Funny electrical stuff going on...

[fourone3]

And by funny, I don't mean ha-ha.

So here's the thing... my blinkers don't want to work. I started with the simplest thing I could think of (the fuse) and yes, it was blown. I replaced it and they worked fine with the car on while in idle. But, as soon as I took off down the street and even tapped the brakes, they wouldn't work and I found another blown fuse.

I thought that maybe replacing all the bulbs in the car might help, or even solve the problem. But at least I have new bulbs

I replaced both battery terminals and made a better ground for the negative, but still nothing. Could anyone shed some light on this for me? Thanks!

 

[jeffnoel]

Test each system one at a time. Test the blinkers, then test the brakes. You make it sound like something in the brake wiring may be at fault. I had a similar problem I caused myself on my 02 after installing sequential lights. When I reinstalled the right taillight one of the wires got crimpt by a bolt and the burned the fuse evertime the right blinker was used. Had me scratchin my head for about 5 minutes.

 

[77sleeper]

unplug the taillight harness and test it, that will atleast tell you what half of the car the problem is in

 

[Wart]

I stay out of electrical threads, cars about 30 years old with who knows who doing who knows what to the harness(es)/ loome(s), not to mention normal chafing.

Reads to me like you have a dead short.

Happy hunting.

 

[UnbridledFury]

Wart has a good point. I'd also remind you that there are a couple of ground wires under the dash that might have gotten loose. I remember when I had to change out the entire dash, I had a problem with the blinkers. I found that a ground wire had not been connected and my problem was solved.

The guy that had the car before me (1975 - 1981) did a butcher job with some of the wiring under the dash. That did not help matters any.

Hope you find the cause. Electrical problems can be tough to find.

 

[fourone3]

Hmmm... I did notice that the sockets for the bulbs were all the same except two or three. One of them has glass around it that looks like it holds the bulb in, but the glass is broken.

I'm thinking of re-doing the entire car soon... but I wanted to get this gremlin out so I can get it inspected. Is there anything I can do to hook some blinkers up just long enough to pass the inspection?

 

[Wart]

I'm thinking of re-doing the entire car soon... but I wanted to get this gremlin out so I can get it inspected. Is there anything I can do to hook some blinkers up just long enough to pass the inspection?

Why not try to find the problem?

 

[fourone3]

Oh, I will try and find the problem. I have to. But just as a one day thing so I can take it to get the passing sticker I wanted to just hook something up temporarily. Then I'll take it back and dig more into it.

 

[Mstng2]

Wart hit it on the head, sounds like a short, look at the wires where they pass through the body for rub through as well.

 

[Wart]

I would find and fix the problem.

 

[fourone3]

Well I'm gonna give it a try this weekend and see what happens.

 

[fourone3]

I think I've narrowed it down to the breaks... more specifically one break light where the lights work, but not the break light. I replaced the bulb and the socket, but to no avail. There's a brown, green and black wire. I'm assuming the black is a ground, and the brown is for the taillights... so the green should be for the break, right?

 

[COBRAIIW]

you are correct on the wiring colors.
what i find strange is the glass you mentioned. i don't recall ever seeing glass surrounding the socket.sounds like the old broken glass from another bulb!