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Signal lights acting strange...

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Old 07-04-2016, 11:17 AM
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Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Signal lights acting strange...

I know next to nothing when it comes to working with electrical parts and I have no idea what's going on with my signal lights.

If I switch on my hazards, everything works fine. None of my bulbs are burnt out. If I have my headlights switched off, my left turn signal works normally, but my right turn signal just stays solid. It's the same when I turn on my headlights, the only difference is that the right turn signal indicator on my dash stays on no matter what.

Any ideas on what's going on here? How do I fix this? I basically have no way of using my right turn signal!
Old 07-04-2016, 11:22 AM
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Re: Signal lights acting strange...

Right front bulb in the socket wrong, such that the bulb contact is touching both the TS and PL contacts; or, socket itself is fornicated, so as to produce the same result

We know it's the front because if it was the rear, the TS indicator would also come on when you push the brakes with the headlights off.
Old 07-04-2016, 12:28 PM
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Re: Signal lights acting strange...

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
Right front bulb in the socket wrong, such that the bulb contact is touching both the TS and PL contacts; or, socket itself is fornicated, so as to produce the same result

We know it's the front because if it was the rear, the TS indicator would also come on when you push the brakes with the headlights off.
I switched the bulbs from left to right and still got the same result. Do I have to replace the whole socket?
Old 07-04-2016, 01:10 PM
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Re: Signal lights acting strange...

Likely.

What happens with NO bulb in the socket?
Old 07-05-2016, 07:31 AM
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Re: Signal lights acting strange...

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
Likely.

What happens with NO bulb in the socket?
Problem Solved!

I took out the bulb and tried it, still had the same issue. I switched the bulbs again just to double check that it made no difference and still I got the same result.

Then I noticed that the right driver's side socket only had two contacts, but three wires leading in. So I compared it to the left side socket and realised what must be the ground contact was broken off the right side socket. I soldered a piece of copper wire in place and now everything works perfectly!

Thanks for your help sofakingdom!
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