Electrical: 1960 Lark Dash Turn Signal Indicator

[ivorydan]

Hey there. Here's my problem:

For those familiar with the 60 Lark: . All turn signals work fine, front and rear, right and left. So why does the dash turn signal indicator bulb only light up and blink when I signal for a right turn ? Bulb doesn't come on at all when I turn left. Anybody know? Dan

[StudeRich]

Are all Four of them having a good, bright, proper length lit flash?
Just an educated guess, there could be a poor Ground on the Left Front turn signal housing, the Indicator Light is connected to the Front Lights.

Sometimes in order to light as they should, one with poor or no Ground will seek ground through another bulb socket and still work.
Also, all Flasher Units are not Load Sensitive, to tell you there is a burned out bulb, a H.D. 6 Bulb capable for Trailering Flasher, will not give a fast flashing light or No light on the other end of the car with one end bulb out, so it just works the other three as usual with no warning.

Try running a alligator clipped jumper wire from the Housing to the Bumper.
Does the Car have a Re-Paint ?

[ivorydan]

Will try a jumper.

[Felix]

Is the indicator light in the dash an LED? I had a similar problem when I swapped all light on the car to LED's, with all lights working, front and rear, left and right, but the dash light would only work in one direction. This is because the tell tale indicator light was an LED, and of the design of the LED, as opposed to a regular incandescent bulb, the power will only flow in one direction, hence the light showing it works in one, turn signal direction. Just a thought, but as you did not mention "LED" in the question, I just wanted to rule that out.

[ivorydan]

OK, did have an led bulb in it. Switched it back to a regular 1445 and still does the same thing. Also put a jumper wire between the left front parking lite body and a good ground and it still does not lite the dash indicator when turning left, although both front and rear left turn signals flash brightly.

[StudeRich]

OH, Oh NOW you are in untraveled ground !
This is the First time I have heard of this happening, but it does seem more like a Grounding issue than Power, but WHERE ?

You don't have any more of those crazy LED's in the Car do you ? THAT will do it.

[Felix]

Yes, Rich, this is a puzzle.

Although my 59 Lark was unmolested before I purchased it, and know all wiring and electricals were stock, I knew what I changed and was it easy to swap back to troubleshoot. This is a different situation, as I don't know how long Dan has owned the Lark or what he has done since ownership. So, Dan, I have not been following your Lark and so don't know what it's history is. Would be so kind as to bring me up to speed with the car, and maybe it could be diagnosed from there. Thanks, Len

[ivorydan]

Len, had replaced several dash bulbs with LED equivalents. Prior to that indicator worked fine going left and right. After it did not work correctly with the LED installed I switched it back to 1445 and it still doesn't indicate when turning left. Have not removed the other LEDs in the dash because I don't understand how they could affect the operation of a 1445. Next step is I plan to test the 23b wire coming into the socket from the left turn signal to see it there is current there when it's turned on. Dan

[Felix]

If that is the case, then you are left with checking connections and testing wires. There shouldn't be anything else that I am aware of that would cause the situation, as you described it, working before the swap. I replaced mine back to the 1445 incandescent and it came back to normal. If it worked before the switch to LED's then it must be something you have disturbed or disconnected. Testing, testing, testing. Depending on the condition of the loom, wires can be so fragile on these old beasties, and a few movements can, at the wrong angle, be the end of a stable connection, especially just behind the brass connectors.

You are correct in saying that the other LED's in the dash shouldn't be a concern. I still have all instrument and telltale lights as LED's, as well as the interior, license plate lamps, turn signal and brake lights as LED's, with only the turn signal tell-tale as incandescent, and the headlight being halogen.

The indicator tell-tale is in the indicator circuit, wires 23B and 24B, which come from wires 23 and 24, left and right respectively, front turn signal circuits. It's a fairly simple circuit. If everything is put back to normal and you still have a problem, it couldn't be anything complicated. Seems to be the wire 23B. It has been a while since I was under the dash to tell you where they connect so you have some work to do.

Also, if you have the manual and are using the Lark wiring diagram for 1960, swap back to the 1959 Lark diagram, as it is clearer to trace wires. Just a thought.

Other than that, I have no idea. Good luck. Keep us informed with your progress.