Electrical: Turn Signals - Again

[GTCruiser]

Right turn signal works front and rear on the '63 Champ. Left signal does not flash. With signal lever in left position, the left front parking light stays well lit and rear turn signal light stays less well lit, but neither flash. Have checked the bulbs and both do not have broken filaments. Have read past posts on this, including Bob Johnstons site info which is great, but this situation does not seem to be addressed. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks

[skyway]

I would begin by changing out those left side bulbs with some that are known to be good. At the same time check those left bulb holders for corrosion or other obvious problems. If nothing there, then verify good grounds at each bulb holder and then start looking for a short, exposed wire, and/or bad connections from the bulb holders back to the switch and flasher.

[mapman]

The symptoms you describe are quite often attributed to a poor ground in the left rear tail light housing. it is trying to ground through the light filament via other bulbs in the circuit. Make sure the bulb itself is making a good ground in the socket and that the socket is also grounded to the housing and the housing to the body.
Rob

[RadioRoy]

What Rob said.

Bad ground on either or both left side bulbs and/or sockets.

[Jerry Forrester]

As Jim Turner would say, "It's going to be a bad ground".

[StudeRich]

The clamps that hold the Left Air Vent and Parking Light Housing may be loose or fastened to a heavily Painted surface and not grounded. You test for that, by attaching a alligator clipped jumper wire to the Bumper or bracket and to the Pk. Lt. Housing to see if it corrects the problem.

[GTCruiser]

Thanks for all of the rapid and useful responses. Tomorrow should be warm enough outside to make the checks/tests. Will respond with results.

[RadioRoy]

Here's an easy way to spot the trouble.
-Put the car in a dark or shady spot so you can see the lights.
-Turn on the parking lights (not the head lights).
-Turn on the turn signals.
-When the signals blink, they should get brighter.
-If a ground is bad, that light will go dark when it blinks.

[GTCruiser]

Left front bulb, even though lit with no blink with the turn signal on, was a bad bulb. Left rear bracket, where the lamp fixture is bolted to the bed, was very corroded causing a poor ground. Amazingly I had put a NOS left rear lamp on recently using that same rusted bracket! Everything now works. Have also record the last tip about an easy way to spot trouble. Again thanks.

[jackb]

thanks for the conclusion..