Tech Question
Greg Casden, Huntington, NY, 1971 Dodge Dart 318
Hi Rick, I have a ’71 Swinger, 318 with a column-shift auto,A/C car. This is an original, stock car and pretty clean. I seem to have anelectrical issue. I have no brake lights, turn signal, hazard flasher, domelight or trunk light. I do however have tail and backup lights.
The indicator on the dash lights up for the turn signal but it does not flash.When I move the indicator lever, I hear the turn signal flasher click oncebut only once. It also looks like I may have a short to power (?) – theignition key light is staying on, regardless of whether the key is in ornot. I removed the bulb for now.
On the wiring diagram in the FSM, I seethat all of these go through the ‘turn signal switch’, the multi-pinconnector under the dash connected to the column harness. I can verify powerto one pin which connects to the horn. I separated the halves, the pins andreceptacles look very good, no corrosion to speak of. Fuses are all good asfar as I can tell and rated correctly. Battery voltage is 12V.
Just looking for ideas of where to start and what I need to verify. I’m thinkingit’s the connector but I’d rather verify before condemning parts. Not surewhere I should be seeing power to or from, not sure what is supposed to behot all the time. Thanks for your time, Greg Casden Out on the Island
Greg-
Most likely it is the switch itself. The easiest way to quickly troubleshootand confirm: Just plug in a new TS switch (unmounted) and try it beforeripping the wheel off to actually install it. The only problem with thistheory is that the t/sig switch has no effect on the dome or trunk lamps.Still, if the dash turn indicator comes on, even once, I’d sure start withthe T/S switch.
If the ignition switch lamp stays on, I suspect a bad timer — this is thesmall metal can, looks like an old-time fluorescent ballast starter, underthe dash. Most likely, this is a separate problem.
Rick
Comments are closed.