atgrazi

OK I have a very strange problem. My old hideaway Headlight motors were stuck for a long time. So I had them unplugged and manually cranked up for the last year. Recently I replaced the headlight motors with some rebuilt ones on eBay. I plugged them back in and the headlights go up and down and work as usual. However, whenever the headlights are in the on position, the right turn signal indicator on the dash lights up and the right turn signal won't blink if I try to use it. The left signal is working fine. If I disconnect the hideaway motors then the dash indicator goes away and the turn signals work normally.

I have a 1986 Firebird Trans Am with the 3 wire headlight motors. The 3 wires are labeled A B C. Does anyone know what would cause the headlight motors to interfere with the right turn signal? I can't find a clear wiring diagram or the exact voltage specs to check to trace down what wire is causing this. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Ground issue. Check wiring. ground locations an the turn signal socket for corrosion. Could also ve as simpke as wrong or crooked installed bulb

atgrazi

Im thinking a ground issue too. Today it is raining and it works right. Yesterday it didn't.

atgrazi

today I cleaned out all the bulb sockets with contact cleaner and replaced all the turn signal bulbs. Now the left turn signal works perfectly fast, the right turn signal blinks super slowly, and again, when I turn on the parking lights or headlights the right signal lights up solid. I tried unplugging the headlight motors like it was before, same. I removed just the front bulb on the right, still solid on the dash but not in the rear.

I hate the wiring in the 3rd gens so bad, this is my 2nd one and I'm about to the point where I feel like ripping out the seats, carpet, dash and console and replace the entire wiring harness. Last summer the horn and radio didn't have power unless I jiggled the key back and forth, then it's fine. The turn signal issues I had before on a 84 Trans Am too. Pulling my hair out now.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

This is from and '88 service manual. Closest thing I could find.

atgrazi

Thanks. It's a littler different for 82-86, but this is a starting point.

Jacques101

Following this post - I have the exact same issue on my '91. The only difference being, if I remove the lightbulb from the right front marker lamp on the fender… The right turn signal on the dash actually goes out...... if I put the bulb back in, the turn indicator light on the dash comes on when the headlights are on… The right-hand side 🤦*♂️

atgrazi

I fixed the issue on mine. I did 2 things. I added another ground wire from the negative battery terminal to the chassis. And I took out all my turn signal bulbs, cleaned the sockets with contact cleaner and a small wire brush. Then I replaced the front turn signals with new bulbs. The light is no longer solid, but when my headlights are on the right turn signal blinks slow when activated but the left blinks normally. It's still driving me crazy but at least it's no longer stuck on solid with the headlights up. Left and right blink perfectly normally when the headlights are down. Lol

usafirebird

In my experience that means the turn signal needs a new bulb. That should fix it. It's weird that it stays on with no flash but a new bulb should fix it.

Jacques101

The bulb was burnt out when I bought the car… So I replaced it with a brand-new one and that's when the problem occured

Jacques101

thanks – I'll try that.

dlinger

iTrader: (4)

Double check to make sure you put the correct bulb in.