1983 Chevy K-10 Turn Signal Problem

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Undetermined - 01 Mar 2007 15:26 GMT

I just bought a 1983 Chevy K-10, 305 Automatic, 3" Lift with 33"
tires. The body is in good condition, but it had some mechanical
issues I am working out. I am not big on electrical, and to get it
inspected, I need the headlights and turn signals working correctly.

Here is the issue:

Turn signals work great with lights off.

Low Beams on, right front signal works very dim.

High Beams on, right low beam goes off, and right front signal lights
up and does not blink.

Any ideas? I am pretty much lost, I am going to replace all the
headlights just for good measure I figure.

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Mike Romain - 01 Mar 2007 16:10 GMT

> I just bought a 1983 Chevy K-10, 305 Automatic, 3" Lift with 33"
> tires. The body is in good condition, but it had some mechanical
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Any ideas? I am pretty much lost, I am going to replace all the
> headlights just for good measure I figure.

I would start by replacing the running light/signal light bulb. I would
start with the dimmest one.

Those 1157 bulbs which have both running and signal filaments can burn
out and short one filament to the other which causes your symptoms. The
glass also falls out of the brass base which also causes the two wires
to short or short to ground which causes your symptoms.

If the ground for the light fixture itself has gone rusted, it can also
cause you symptoms. On a GM the brake and signal lights usually ground
via the screws that bolt the fixture on. I use a booster cable to run
from the battery negative to the light fixture itself if the bulb is
acting up and the bulb appears good.

The running lights have a wiring harness ground. If all else checks
out, then where this ground bolts to the fender might need a clean. It
is normally at the end of the harness piece.

Your symptoms happen when one of these grounds gets bad for any of the
above reasons.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

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Mike Romain - 01 Mar 2007 16:26 GMT

>> I just bought a 1983 Chevy K-10, 305 Automatic, 3" Lift with 33"
>> tires. The body is in good condition, but it had some mechanical
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> Your symptoms happen when one of these grounds gets bad for any of the
> above reasons.

One other ground is the one for the headlight itself. If that is bad it
might try to steal the ground through the running light.

> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

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Scott Dorsey - 01 Mar 2007 16:16 GMT

>I just bought a 1983 Chevy K-10, 305 Automatic, 3" Lift with 33"
>tires. The body is in good condition, but it had some mechanical
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Turn signals work great with lights off.

There's a lifted ground somewhere.
--scott

Signature

"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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Undetermined - 05 Mar 2007 13:08 GMT

> >I just bought a 1983 Chevy K-10, 305 Automatic, 3" Lift with 33"
> >tires. The body is in good condition, but it had some mechanical
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I traced it down over about an hour. I traced all the wires and found
that when they had installed KC Lights, they tapped into the ground
and when they removed them, they took the ground completely out. The
turn signal and both headlights were all working on the same ground
wire. But they were just grounded to each other, I tapped into that
where they had obviously taken the previous ground out and now all my
lights are working great. I also managed to re-wire my horn so it
works. They did some really crappy wiring, and I feel I may be
investing in the Painless Wiring Harness to remedy some more issues I
know I will run into down the road. Thanks to Mike and Scott both.

My next battle is going to be my Steering. It seems to be very loose,
and I know there is always some play, but there is currently about an
inch both ways of play. At least now it can be inspected, and I can
drive the truck while I discover other issues.

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