1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

WIERD electrical problem!

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Old May 22, 2002 | 09:43 PM
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WIERD electrical problem!

Here's a STRANGE one. Just got a 85. Blinkers work fine w/ headlights off, headlights on, right blinker light stays ON solid.
Turned headlights off to make blinker function normally, noticed on the right side the rear TAIL LIGHTs bilnk, not the blinker light. Both front lights (blinkers) work fine, except if headlights are on, right light stays on as well, front and rear.
Opinions, or should I call an exorcist?
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Old May 22, 2002 | 10:23 PM
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Crazy, sounds like you have a little gremlin running around in your wires

I recommend removing all your wiring and re-doing it, I just finished doing mine. It was only a little bit of a pain in the ***.

For the record, I don't actually recommend doing that. Sounds like you have crossed wires in there. If you've ever looked at the factory splice jobs, you'd realize why they aren't holding up too well. If you have a haynes manual, the wiring diagram should help a little in isolating the wire, then you just have to trace it up under the dash.

If it's really that annoying, you could always ditch the hazard relay and buy a couple Buss 12V flashers and use those. All it takes is some wire, a few butt connectors, and a whole lot of patience. (this is what I did, my relay was bad, though)

Good luck.
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Old May 22, 2002 | 10:26 PM
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Check your grounds in the right taillight.
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Old May 22, 2002 | 10:27 PM
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Well hazard blinkers and headlights are consant power type of things. Maybe its a bad flasher?
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Old May 22, 2002 | 10:28 PM
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Originally posted by peejay
Check your grounds in the rear taillight.
Yeah TRUE, bad ground will either make them blink really really fast, or slow. Maybe even constant
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Old May 23, 2002 | 08:24 AM
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check your bulbs. Sometimes these bulbs are double filiment. One of the filiments might be burned out.
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Old May 26, 2002 | 10:51 PM
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Tried new bulbs, same ol, same. I looked at it in the dark, however, and noticed that BOTH tail lights blink when I have the right flasher on, the flasher flashes with it. Left works fine. Hazard works normally. Somehow, the right flasher is shorted to the tail light circuit. Can't think of anything but the switch. Any other ideas?
Thanks!
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Old May 26, 2002 | 11:07 PM
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definetly check the wires to the bulb sockets for bad grounds or shorts. You said you just got the car. Check with the previous owner and see if they tried to change the blinker switch. If you got the car from a dealer, then forget it. They will swear up and down it wasn't like that when they sold it.
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Old May 27, 2002 | 12:51 AM
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I had a similar problem as you with my '79; The taillights would all go on at the same time (including the backup lights) when I hit the brakes... both of the rear signal and brake lights would go on when I signaled in either direction... both of the front signal lights would go on when I hit the brakes... and the reverse lights turned on every light on the car except the headlights (yes, including the side marker lights)... anyways, I checked all my grounds, and low and behold, the right rear tail light ground was disconnected... I unscrewed the nut from the liscense plate lights, put the loop over the bolt, and threaded the nut back on, and all of my lights function normally... all I have to do is fix my goddamn headlight motors... they go up, but won't come down, and it isn't the fuse or the motors... oh well, this is why we have these cars...

Jeff
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Old May 27, 2002 | 07:57 AM
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From: Seymour, TN
Thanks to all of you, I know I'm getting close. Where does the ground connect for the taillights?
Thanks!
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