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Front Turn Signal Problems?

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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 03:20 PM
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From: SoCali
Front Turn Signal Problems?

Ok... i changed the bulbs in the front turn signal... the Right side turn signal comes on with the headlights.. but the left is off...


but the turn signals work fine... its just thats the Left one doesnt come on with the Headlights...


any idea?
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 03:24 PM
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could be a faulty wire (parking lights or whatever the devil they're called). check to make sure its getting voltage to that particular wire. i don't know the color; the FSM should have it.
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 03:33 PM
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From: SoCali
Originally posted by casio
could be a faulty wire (parking lights or whatever the devil they're called). check to make sure its getting voltage to that particular wire. i don't know the color; the FSM should have it.
it cant be a faulty wire since it runs on the same wire right?

i meant it does the signalling.. but doesnt stay on with the headlights..
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 03:47 PM
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i mean the wire to that particular turn signal. one wire can't go to two loads; there will be a split. its like one headlight working and the other not. that has happened to me; the old wires are less flexible and the light fixture going up and down broke the wire (so i think). so yes, one load/accessory can go out without the other going out.

also think of christmas lights. you know how a whole string will go out if one light is removed? those are wired in series. the lights that stay on if one is removed are wired parallel (the proper way).

::that is why i say check the wire right before the parking light itself, not an earlier main wire that actually would cause both to fail.
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 06:29 PM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
bad or wrong bulb if the rear ones work
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 07:19 PM
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From: SoCali
Originally posted by Icemark
bad or wrong bulb if the rear ones work
the problem is Front Left indicator Specific... so its the wrong bulb?

all the other indicators work...
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 09:22 PM
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Check the wiring back to the harness. There should be 3 wires coming from the turn signal light.
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Old Jan 2, 2004 | 11:37 PM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by x2delight
the problem is Front Left indicator Specific... so its the wrong bulb?

all the other indicators work...
could also be a broken wire or connector at the bulb, but I would be swapping bulbs first to make sure it is not the wrong or a bad bulb
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 12:31 AM
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From: SoCali
Originally posted by Icemark
could also be a broken wire or connector at the bulb, but I would be swapping bulbs first to make sure it is not the wrong or a bad bulb
i would do that... but the actual light WILL indicate.. it just doesnt come on when the parking lights are turned on....

i didnt think a bulb mattered if it was on when the parking lights are on...


for a better clarification.. go out to your FC and flip on the head lights... the indicators right under the headlights should come on... only one of mine comes on.. but both of them still signal... if thats the understanding you had then i will go pick up some different/correct bulbs
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 10:37 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Okay, let’s make it a little clearer.

There are in A-spec cars two lights built into a single bulb on the front turn signals.

Inside this bulb, there is the 7 watt indicator filament and the 27 watt Turn filament.

Looking at the bulb, there will be two metal contacts on the very bottom of the bulb, and inside there are two different filaments.

When you turn the parking lights on, the first filament lights up and remains lit, as long as the parking lights are on.

The second filament only lights when the turn signal voltage is sent from the CPU. (Now the CPU we have already ruled out, because the rear turn signal on the same side still works).

Maybe this will now help…

So again, the system works to flash the larger 27 watt filament when the turn signal is on, but lights the smaller 7 watt filament only when the parking lights are on. This means that the whole indicator will get brighter and dimmer; brighter and dimmer if the parking lights are on and the turn signal is on.

If the bulb is lighting when the parking lights are on, but does not indicate the turn signal by getting brighter, then either the wiring to the bulb is bad, or it is the wrong bulb.

If the turn signal indicates, but does not always light at all when the parking lights are on, then the bulb is bad or the wire going to the socket is broken.

BTW: the bulb is a 1157, not a 1156 in the A-spec cars. People will sometimes cram a 1156 in and it will not get brighter to indicate a turn signal when the parking lights are on.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 12:44 PM
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From: SoCali
damn.. you are good.. i will go pickup another pair of bulbs today and make sure its 1157... and ill go from there....you have been a great help.....
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