Weird short

[Scott]

I've noticed that I have a short somewhere in my 66 Cruiser that allows the the signal tell-tale light to illuminate when the parking lights are on, but when I switch to headlights on, the tell-tale light goes off again. I have also been blowing the fuse for the turn signals, but I think the tell tale light still comes on when the headlight switch is on the parking light setting. I've scrutinized the wiring diagram until I'm almost blind, but the only thing I can think of is a problem in the turn signal switch in the steering column. But that doesn't really make sense either. Any ideas?

[DEEPNHOCK]

Check all your grounds.
Maybe even remove each lamp base and clean the mount area with a brass wire brush.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by Scott

I've noticed that I have a short somewhere in my 66 Cruiser that allows the the signal tell-tale light to illuminate when the parking lights are on, but when I switch to headlights on, the tell-tale light goes off again. I have also been blowing the fuse for the turn signals, but I think the tell tale light still comes on when the headlight switch is on the parking light setting. I've scrutinized the wiring diagram until I'm almost blind, but the only thing I can think of is a problem in the turn signal switch in the steering column. But that doesn't really make sense either. Any ideas?

DEEPNHOCK at Cox.net
'37 Coupe Express
'37 Coupe Express Trailer
'61 Hawk

http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock

[gordr]

Does your Cruiser have a single signal tell-tale lamp, or one for each side? I should know, but I don't remember right now.

A single telltale lamp is usually switched into the "active side" of the signal circuit by the switch, and is out-of-circuit when no turn is selected. For such a single lamp to come on when the parking lights are on would require a defective signal switch.

Dual tell-tales, though are usually connected directly to their respective front signal lamps somewhere in the signal switch or its harness. In that case, a bad ground at one of the front sockets would cause the park lamp to try to find ground through the signal element in the bulb. I have also seen those dual-filament lamps fail in such a way as to short one element to the other.

Do as Jeff suggests; clean up your lamp sockets to ensure a good ground, but also try new quality bulbs in there. Also wash all the lenses in the sink; it's amazing how bright they will be, once you wash the dust out the crevices on their backsides.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[N8N]

I concur that you probably have a bad ground, likely one of the front parking light housings.

good luck

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[rockne10]

Concur on ground problem. Remove headlight doors and tailight covers, tighten all bucket/fixture mounting screws or drill 1/8 hole through bucket/fixture to body sheetmetal and add a new sheetmetal screw.

[Scott]

A bad ground sounds likely, since the front of this car has damage and the lenses on the parking lights won't even fit anymore. They are both exposed bulbs in front (no lenses!). I suppose they could be really dirty now, but isn't that more likely to cause an open than a short? I should also check the headlight circuit? I suppose it can't hurt. It's hard to check wiring single-handedly, but I can check power and ground connections easily enough.

This car has the single tell-tale lamp, not one for each side.

[Scott]

Yes, Gordr, I was thinking the same thing about the switch. My signal lever is loose - could that be causing an issue?

[Roscomacaw]

Bear in mind that a fuse that's blowing isn't gonna be caused by bad grounding. Grounding in the sense of a short but not just bad grounding of a socket or fixture.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS