72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Need some advise on an electrical problem I found when returning from Car Show past Week End. Got ready to leave Event for Home & when I started Monte and turned on Parking Lights, BOTH Left Right Turn Signal indicators illuminated! Stymied me as prior, no indication for a problem & had done nothing to Car prior to this anomaly. Was daylight so turned off Parking Lights drove home & parked in garage. I then did some further investigation and here is what I discovered as I went thru each of the Dash modes. 1) With Key in Ignition, Parking Lights on BOTH Turn Signal Indicators light up when pulling Light Switch to Parking Lite mode (Also same with Headlight Switch on). After checking each variable, ALL lights performed as expected less the Turn Signal Indicator lights. When moving turn signal lever to left, while signal blinks on the left, the Indicator says it's blinking on the R/H side & visa versa. Every other combination of Electrical operates normally less Turn Signal Indicator Lights. So, while just repeating repetition, somewhere along the way, those Turn Signal Indicator Dash Lights started performing normally again? I did nothing other than performing on/off checks on those affected knobs, levers, switches. Drove Home & put in Garage without any other malfunction(s). I'm at a lose! I don't believe I missed anything during this investigation. I applied every variable I am aware of but is confined to Turn Signal Instrument lights. It was suspected to be a Ground Issue but unless it fails again, unsure what it might be causing the Problem. I thought Light Switch but that was ruled out. Any Ideas? Remember, other than Turn Signal Dash Illumination, everything worked as expected and right now, everything works as expected again! Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted August 11, 2023 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Has your turn signal switch failed or shorted out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted August 11, 2023 Author Share Posted August 11, 2023 That was a thought. However, the problem and I don't now why, had corrected itself while investigating, while returning home, turn signals worked as expected. I made no adjustments while investigating, just moving levers, knobs & switches. I return to a Ground problem as that what it seems to point to. I was hoping another had experiences a similar issue and could explain possible failure. I could still use with failure, the only change showed signal indicator light(s) blinking opposite of direction signal, yet outside signals flashed on correct sides? As I said, problem has hidden itself and just would prefer I could prevent it occurring again. My explanation I hope paints a clear picture for the problem. Essentially, everything worked as it should except with signal indicators on Instrument Panel. I usually drive with park lights on and did not notice/discover this issue until leaving that Car Show. With Park Lights turned on, turn signal indicators immediately went (Bright) on both indicators and was my 1st clue I had a problem. I drove to Brothers house a couple days later after I failed to identify or able to fix. Just left the parking/headlights off for the drive over. For no reason, with park light switch activated and going thru the problem solving, the problem did not reappear! Had it been the turn signal switch, I would have expected it to NOT correct itself. As for a ground issue, again, nothing changed other than playing with ignition switch, light switch, brake pedal and directional signals. Weird............. I'm no genius when it comes to Electrical Issues short of being shocked. That I Know Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 Another thought is the 4 way hazard knob.... I had a similar issue with the turn signals activating while driving, and found that if I pulled the knob out to the "off" position, it would stop. Or sometimes it would self correct if I turned the wheel. The little tab in the switch could be worn out and the thing might just be dropping into contact randomly. Just a guess.... Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted August 12, 2023 Share Posted August 12, 2023 Way out question, any trailer hitch / wiring on this car now or ever? Bad light bulb or defective / rusted / dirty socket? Bad ground? (My 71 the T/S blinks slightly faster left than right) I bought some new light bulbs years ago and they were slightly smaller in diameter so they didn't ground very well all the time. After 50+ years anything could have been changed, so there is that also........ Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted August 13, 2023 Author Share Posted August 13, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Scott S. said: Another thought is the 4 way hazard knob.... I had a similar issue with the turn signals activating while driving, and found that if I pulled the knob out to the "off" position, it would stop. Or sometimes it would self correct if I turned the wheel. The little tab in the switch could be worn out and the thing might just be dropping into contact randomly. Just a guess.... Scott. It's always something isn't it. I hate a problem self corrects without understanding why. I will continue monitoring it and pay attention to any irregularities that might pop up while tinkering, hoping to see the issue happen. Until then I will keep alert for any Fires ps; I played with the Hazard button and it works during each time I activated button......... Appreciate your insight, Doug 47 minutes ago, stangeba said: Way out question, any trailer hitch / wiring on this car now or ever? Bad light bulb or defective / rusted / dirty socket? Bad ground? (My 71 the T/S blinks slightly faster left than right) I bought some new light bulbs years ago and they were slightly smaller in diameter so they didn't ground very well all the time. After 50+ years anything could have been changed, so there is that also........ Good luck. Nothing had changed, prior to my purchase, someone had a trailer hitch on at one time. I could see the outline image of the Hitch on the Frame and No Wiring evident from trailer hitch. I have one dash bulb not working and that's my Dash Oil Pressure Indicator. It quit working a few months ago and have not tried replacing it. Looks impossible to get to without pulling Dash away to get hand in. All the Bulbs have been in vehicle for some time without any replacements or with any exterior bulbs burnt out. I added a Gauge Pod/Gauges and a Keyless entry for power doors & trunk many years ago, removed my Factory Stereo Radio to get work done on early this year but have no relationship with this issue. It is a puzzler for sure. I will just monitor it & should it reoccur, I hope to see/find issue then. Thanx guys, if I discover it, will advise cause............ Doug Edited August 13, 2023 by 72-CLASSIC_RIDE Added more info to Post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 As discussed in another post, if you pull the top dash pad, reaching the gauge lights is fairly easy. It's held in by about a half dozen screws along the top of the dash and simply clips into the front along the windshield. Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted August 13, 2023 Author Share Posted August 13, 2023 2 hours ago, Scott S. said: As discussed in another post, if you pull the top dash pad, reaching the gauge lights is fairly easy. It's held in by about a half dozen screws along the top of the dash and simply clips into the front along the windshield. Scott. I have had the Pad off several times & looking down into the cavity between Cluster and Firewall I remember back with Dash out, I should replace all Bulbs because I didn't see my hand let alone finger dexterity small enough to reach that Bulb. Not really important as I have a Manual Oil Pressure Gauge installed & was using both indicator and pressure. I will at some point replace it as it's part of the Original Set Up. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted August 14, 2023 Share Posted August 14, 2023 I have the same "large finger/dexterity" issue.... lol When Montelishi first arrived, there were several electrical issues...... So I wound up pulling the front seat to make access more comfortable. I spent the better part of 3 days tracing and re wiring what was under there. And as long as I was down there, I figured changing all the bulbs couldn't hurt. Luckily, I don't have anywhere near the options you've got, or I'd probably be bald by now. You'll eventually get around to figuring it out..... Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted August 15, 2023 Author Share Posted August 15, 2023 Yeah, when it becomes important I will then go after it. I had a fire under the hood in a 72 Monte I owned around 1985 that made me a little uneasy when I saw both indicators illuminated. Thought the answer might be already solved. Hey, it was worth a shot.............😁 Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 I know that feeling.... Like the smell you get right after changing the oil. Did I miss something ? Is there a leak I didn't see ? How much did I spill on the headers ?? Stuff like that........... When I replaced the bulbs, I went with the LED ones, makes a nice difference. Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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