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Backyard Mechanic
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Question?
My 51 has factory dealer installed turn signals. They work great with the lights off, full blink, easy to see.
Problem? When the lights are on, the blink is very subtle, but it is there. Is this normal or was something originally wired incorrect.
thanks!
1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Convertible
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When you say "subtle" .... are you saying they flash slow or the illumination of the bulb is not good and bright?
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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Check for a grounding problem. If lights ground through another light circuit or have a bad ground they will give a weak light.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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OP
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Brake light --Bright
Lights --Bright
Signal with lights off --Bright Flash -Strong blinks!
Lights on --Bright Light but the Flash is very weak blinks ????  I am 6 volt still.
Last edited by DrScotti; 04/19/11 06:42 AM.
1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Convertible
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Same problem on my '50 here... with a host of others. When the lights are on, they run dim till the gas is stepped on... and sometimes the signals won't blink at all. I run with the throttle pulled out a quarter inch at night just to keep everything going!
My '51 is the complete opposite... factory wiring and never a problem. I'm so scared of messing that up by getting a new wiring harness even though it's so ratty looking!
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet.
1953 Belair Convertible
1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan
2015 GMC SLE 4X4
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Just thinkin out loud. Have you considered an alternator? Im not usually one to hint modernization but i went the alternator route. Never had any electrical problems but that little update made a world of diference.
In my shop, quality is a standard, NOT and option.
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I'm thinking, like others here, that you may have a poor ground. With a properly grounded system, electical system will be OK on 6 volts. Cover the basics ...is your ground cable "heavy enough" ? Good, clean ground connections?
It worked very well back in the day, it can work that way today.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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Oil Can Mechanic
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In my shop, quality is a standard, NOT and option.
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Or is it time to rotate the blinker bulbs?
Rusty
VCCA #44680
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The Mangy Old Mutt
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I had a similar problem on my 51 and when I checked the bulbs some said "made in mexico" so I installed some sylvania bulbs made right here in New Hampshire. No more problems though still not as bright as todays vehicles.
Steve D
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OK...funny guys ..not much help..have heard NEW "correct" light switch can help...less resistance...ebay..$56/shipping.. I've found w/poor ground they don't work at all ! One clue is..they are all equally dim ? like us lol had to throw that in..my bad..Serious question..bad ground breaks the connection altogether , but at the bulb itself...concentrate on turn signal..it's grounding and that....wait a second..your using a 6 volt flasher unit are you not ? check and let me know ..also what flasher model..I have paper on some....
1947 Fleetmaster Sport Coupe VCCA # 47475
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Bad grounds may NOT break connection, instead they may cause additional resistance .... which makes lights dim.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
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Backyard Mechanic
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OP
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OK,
once again.
My lights work just fine, head and tail.
My turn signals flash nice and bright without the headlights on, but when both are on the flash is only dim and short.
All 6 volt with 6 volt flasher, and 6 volt bulbs, factory installed.
Last edited by DrScotti; 04/25/11 05:00 PM.
1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Convertible
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Maybe make up some test leads and attach them to the turn signal body(lamp) and the alligator clip the other end to a good clean ground. Just a thought. Don
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Dr. Scotti -
Thinking outloud here -
Good lights all around with no turn signals on.
Good turn signals with lights off.
To me, that spells good grounding on both lights and turn signals.
I would suggest new turn signal flasher - may be drawing excess juice when used in conjuction with lights on. Would not show up with lights off.
That is what I would try first, also being cheaper and than if that doesn't work, you can continue to pull hair out of head and end up bald like me.
Just a suggestion and that is how my muddled mind works at times.
Best to you and hope that I don't influence you with my ideas??
Jim.
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Have you checked the voltage at the battery with engine running all lights off then all lights on could be voltage regulator not producing enough voltage with all lights on.
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