[sexypizzaman]

My 1980 z28 has been sitting for the last 3 years as I built a new 383 for it. Now that the engine is in and running I am ready to drive it but the signal lights don't work, front nor back left nor right. All the bulbs are fine and I just replaced the flasher. What else could it be I don't know where to look now!!

Please help,
Keith

[DanielC]

Do the 4-way flashers work? I am not blessed enough to own a 1980 z28, so i do not know all the details of the wiring.
On a 1970 Datsun pickup, that I do own, the power for the 4-way flashers and the turn signals goes through different fuses. Power for the turn signal also goes through the 4-way flasher switch when the 4-way switch is OFF.
If the 4-ways work, and the turns do not, you can isolate the problem. 4-ways work, bulbs and wiring to them are obviously good.
On a twenty eight year old car, every connection in the wiring system could be bad. You might have to take each connection apart, and clean the contacts to bright and shiny again, and put them back together.

[carsavvycook]

I bet it is in the turn signal switch, or it's connector.

Your brake lights, and hazard lights, and horn go through this connector also.

Check the connection at the base of the steering column. It is a single row connector, with 19, or 20 pins, usually white, or black in color.

To help, here is the wiring schematics attached.

[302 Z28]

If it's not the body connector, it's more than likely the turn signal switch. It would be really unusual for the turn signals, brake light, and horn to quit working at the same time if it was the switch.

Vince

[carsavvycook]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

If it's not the body connector, it's more than likely the turn signal switch. It would be really unusual for the turn signals, brake light, and horn to quit working at the same time if it was the switch.

Vince

Vince, I was referring to the electrical connector for the steering column switches, and horn. That long flat piano keyboard looking connector.

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by carsavvycook

Vince, I was referring to the electrical connector for the steering column switches, and horn. That long flat piano keyboard looking connector.

Yes, your right, I misred it .

Vince

[smrat]

just thinking, but did you turn the key on and push the lever down for left then up for right?

[sexypizzaman]

The brake lights work and yes I did try the signals with the key on car running and did push the indicator all the way down left and all the way up right. Tomorrow I'll take a look and make sure the connector at the base of the steering column is tight. Where is the signal switch and how would that break over 3 years of sitting??

[jimfulco]

When you get your hands on that connector, wiggle it so the individual connections can rub against each other some. Better yet, unplug it and plug it back in a couple of times. This will usually rub through any corrosion that might be interrupting the circuits.

[carsavvycook]

Originally Posted by jimfulco

When you get your hands on that connector, wiggle it so the individual connections can rub against each other some. Better yet, unplug it and plug it back in a couple of times. This will usually rub through any corrosion that might be interrupting the circuits.

Do this same thing with the turn signal flasher fuse.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by sexypizzaman

The brake lights work and yes I did try the signals with the key on car running and did push the indicator all the way down left and all the way up right. Tomorrow I'll take a look and make sure the connector at the base of the steering column is tight. Where is the signal switch and how would that break over 3 years of sitting??

If you have brake lights, it is unlikely that the TSS connector is loose, since the brake light signal passes through the turn signal switch.

Here is a test you can do to make sure there isn't a problem with the turn signal switch:

Apply the brake and flip on the turn signal. When you do this, the brake light on the side you are signaling towards should turn off. If it doesn't, there is a problem with the turn signal switch. If it does, the problem is most likely in the turn signal flasher or it's fuse, or in the related wiring.

Hope this helps.

Joe G.

[smrat]

the switch is behind the steering wheel.the switch lever is behind that, i cant remember how to get into it but it is a pain in tha a++. if it is the switch it might be easier for you just to get a different colume at a salvage yard.does it click like its engaging in the colume or is the lever just floppy? the lever is held in place by a little ball and socket setup, that might have come apart.Maybe you bumped agaisnt the switch when u were getting out of the car at one time.

[alittle1]

What happens when you put the 4 way flashers on?

If you have brake lites, do you also have running lites?

How are the ground wires in the front signal lites? Connected to good base metal?

Have you changed out the signal lite flasher for a new or working one that you have verified as working from another source? Make sure you are checking the signal flasher not the four-way flasher.

[sexypizzaman]

Hey guys update here. I have got them working!! I couldn't figure anything was wrong and replaced all the lights and flasher with a new one. I was fiddling around with all the controls on the steering column and I started pushing/pulling, twisting/turning the 4-way button and boom, the left side lights started flashing (the indicator lever was in the left position). I guess the 4-way flasher control needs to be pulled out and turned for them to work?? Anyways they work now so I am happy, thanks for all the help guys.

Keith

[66GMC]

Being that you're in Vancouver (otherwise known as "Raincouver") and right on the coast to boot ... you probably have some humidity / corrosion issues.

Go to your local parts store and get:

1.) CRC electrical contact cleaner. Spray it wherever you can see green crud on the connectors ... especially on the exterior lamp sockets. You could try it on the column connector and even the turn signal switch if you're ambitious enough to pull the steering wheel.

2.) Some Dielectric grease. Apply it LIBERALLY to the bulbs and pigtails to keep the moisture out.

You might even want to try scraping (or wire brushing or sanding) the big hunks of green crud off first before spraying with the contact cleaner. Use the dielectric grease wherever you can.

One more thing. Most of the wiring harnesses will have a ground connection, which is usually a bolt & star-washer combination. Give them the same treatment, or replace as necessary. A lot of "electrical gremlins" can be directly attributed to bad grounds.