Author Topic: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights  (Read 2310 times)

Offline hemi68charger

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71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« on: September 02, 2013 - 06:14:16 PM »
Item:
'71 Challenger

Problem:
Blowing hazard fuse and when I apply the brake lights, the left side of the taillamps acts funny. When the lights are on, then the brakes applied, the left most bulb goes out and when the brake is released, the light comes back on.....

I just put in a brand new turn signal switch. All body harnesses are new as well.

Cheers,
Troy
'69 Daytona 426 HEMI-727
'70 Superbird 440 - 4speed




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2013 - 01:21:29 AM »
Ground problem likely make sure the light socket is tight & clean on the housing , often a pin punch will tighten the lip of the socket against the housing a re establish the ground

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline hemi68charger

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2013 - 08:04:01 AM »
Ground problem likely make sure the light socket is tight & clean on the housing , often a pin punch will tighten the lip of the socket against the housing a re establish the ground

I removed driver's-most socket and placed it on the trunk floor ( the trunk mat is in, so it isn't touching metal ). Now, when I turn on the lights, the bulb turns out... If the socket needed the taillamp housing to ground, then why would the bulb turn on if it wasn't installed? I'm going to scuff all the taillamp housing openings and check for ground.
'69 Daytona 426 HEMI-727
'70 Superbird 440 - 4speed

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2013 - 08:42:24 AM »
It will ground back through the park light circuit but if both the park & brake are on then there is no ground so the light will not work .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline hemi68charger

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2013 - 01:26:30 PM »
It will ground back through the park light circuit but if both the park & brake are on then there is no ground so the light will not work .

Ah, those darn electrons....
'69 Daytona 426 HEMI-727
'70 Superbird 440 - 4speed

Offline hemi68charger

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2013 - 10:19:27 PM »
Saga continues........ I got the brake lights to work, so that's a tick mark. But, the 4-way circuit is still blowing fuzes and the turn signals are ALWAYs going now, even in the neutral position. The turn-signal switch is brand new and the wires are not pinched anywhere in the steering column. Now, else where, no clue. I checked the grounding of the front parking like housings and they are good. I will disconnect the rear body harness tomorrow when I get home to isolate that and see if the front works ok. But, something that's weird. Part of the turn-signal circuit goes to the radio? Here are snapshots of what I am talking about.

1. X12-18R goes to the radio ( the hot wire for the radio power feed ), the connection in the dash harness isn't hooked to the radio. The radio in the car is an aftermarket system.

2. The other end of X12-18R goes to the turn-signal flasher.. What the? is this the power source for the radio ( feeds off the turn-signal circuit )?

Gut tells me, with the 4-way blowing a fuse so fast, there has to a short on the body somewhere..... Now, doesn't explain why the turn-signal flasher starts as soon as the key is placed in ignition 1.
« Last Edit: September 04, 2013 - 10:14:26 AM by hemi68charger »
'69 Daytona 426 HEMI-727
'70 Superbird 440 - 4speed

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2013 - 09:32:43 AM »
I agree with you that the wiring has to be shorted somewhere if the fuse is blowing immediatly , possibly a wrong bulb such as a 1056 single filament in an 1157 socket or if the dome light is tied in on the same circuit   I have often seen a single contact bulb in there where there should be a dual contact bulb & that will pop the fuse instantly so maybe start there ?
The radio feed is just a 12v feed so no big deal if the flasher gets power there as well but the flasher is always powered & needs a ground to complete the circuit so it could be grounded at any of the turn signal bulbs circuits , even the dash light circuit .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline hemi68charger

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2013 - 11:47:19 AM »
All,
I am still having grounding/feedback problems with the turn-signal and 4-way circuit. If I disconnect the forward and rear body connections at the firewall and driver's kick panel, will the circuit still work in such that the flashers and dash lights will work? Or, do I have to have EVERYTHING connected in order for the turn-signal and 4-way flasher to work? I am trying to isolate the circuit to narrow down the possible problem.
'69 Daytona 426 HEMI-727
'70 Superbird 440 - 4speed

Offline hemi68charger

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2013 - 07:40:17 PM »
Tada !!!   

The culprit: me...........

I had the pigtail connections on the side mark lights and the front parking lights reversed...... Explains EVERYTHING !!!

Glad I took a break from it all and took a deep breath and went back to the FSM and worked my way from the front to the rear... Luckily, I started at the "broken" end first and saved a LOT of frustration....

I never give up !!!!

Works perfectly.....  :bananasmi
'69 Daytona 426 HEMI-727
'70 Superbird 440 - 4speed

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 71 Challenger: Flasher and brake lights
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2013 - 11:09:09 PM »
 :2thumbs:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t