Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

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Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby ol55 » Sat Nov 07, 2015 1:06 pm

Right rear turn signal and brake light are not working. Parking lights work, front right is flashing, flasher is clicking, left side good etc. Meter shows a fluctuation (@10.45/10.32) at the socket. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Larry
'73 Vega GT Hatchback hot rod.
'76 Cosworth
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby marco_1978_spyder » Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:42 pm

Rusty Ground? The one right at that light
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby TOM71VEGA » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:47 pm

I second that, check the ground
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby cjbiagi » Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:17 pm

Obviously you have some voltage there so it does sound like you have a high resistance cutting down the power by about 3 volts or so. I agree, check your connections for resistance, could be a rusty ground as mentioned or possibly corrosion in the socket or anther connection. You may have to do some more voltage checks if you don't see anything obvious and see where the voltage drops off. Check the obvious first as suggested and we'll go from there.
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby Monza Harry » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:20 pm

I think Clyde is right on here. The Monza (I don't know if the Vega is the same or not) has a connector in the left quarter panel area, right near the back, I am willing to guess that you have a little corrosion in that connector and that is the source of your low voltage. The lights ground wouldn't affect the meter's reading unless you are using the lights ground for the meter. You should check to an independent ground first, then the lights ground through the socket then at the screw. This will help identify the problem. Power to ind. gr. Ok, check to the other grounds, this will identify the ground problem. Power low, back trace until culprit found, I would go through the connectors first then start probing the wire. Always re-seal the wire when you prick it as this will be your next problem if left open, I just put a drop of "Super Glue" or smear a LITTLE silicone over the pin prick. I'll try and help some more if this doesn't help sort this out. Harry
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby ol55 » Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:03 am

Thanks for the help. Problem was in the connector at the steering column but great info from all.

Larry
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby spencerforhire » Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:09 am

Sorry I missed this thread last week when I was at my cottage(no internet). If it had been a bad ground, the signal would have still sort of worked, getting some ground through the other side of the bulb(park lights). When you have a missing ground, the park light will work by itself, the signal will work by itself, but if the park is on, the signaI will shut it off instead of getting brighter. I would have suggested going right to the column first. Aside from loose connections at the connector under the column, another common cause of one(or both) rear signals not working is an emergency flasher switch stuck halfway between off and on.
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Re: Right rear turn signal and brake light out -'73 Vega

Postby ol55 » Thu Nov 19, 2015 4:15 pm

Thanks for the advice Spencerforhire! It's all part of the (steeeep) learning curve.

Larry
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