Help! I recently aquired a 71 EL, and the blinkers worked fine until yesterday. I've checked the bulbs and flasher and all is fine. However, when I press the brakes, all four (front & back) signal lights come on.??? Also because the fuse box cover is missing, I have no idea what circut the fuses serve. Looking at the fusebox, I do notice that the fuse on the right row, third up from the bottom keeps blowing. Does anyone know what it serves? Thanks! and have a good holiday!

sounds like the "flasher" switch. try messing with it and see if they return to working order, but that switch will make all 4 come on when you press the brakes.

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1970 SS396 AKA 454/4spd
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John's got a good idea on the weak flasher can. It is the one under the dash on the right side of the steering column and not the one in the fuse box. Best just to change it. They are only around $3.00. The fuse block does not have a cover. Originally there was white stenciled letters on it indicating the fuses. Pick up a copy of the Haynes Chevelle manual, available at the chain auto stores.. There is a picture of the block in there and it tells you which fuse is which. Off the top of my head, I think that's the radio fuse popping. Radio work?

This old wiring diagram I have for a 70 chevy, shows the brake-lite wired through the turn signal switch. Just something to check. I,ve had trouble in the past about not being able to read fuse boxes. I used a volt-meter on the fuse box. This was an analog meter. Put it on the ohms setting, pull out the fuse, put one lead to the circuit side of the fuse terminal, the non hot side, you can,t use the ohms setting on a hot circuit, then use ever how long a wire you need to run to whatever terminal you want, if it is a turn-signal socket so be it. With both ends of the volt-meter connected if the needle jumps to zero, then you know at least one circuit the fuse controls. hth

Thank's Chev Hell, I appreciate it, maybe I thought the flasher was good and I'll get one after work. it would sure beat the hell out sticking your arm out the window and reducing the cabin temperarture down to 40 from a toasty 75.
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Thanks John, for three bucks the flasher can is nothing. Actualy the radio is not installed and I assumed the panel had a cover on it. But after thirty years I suppose it was time for the stenceling to evaporate. I appreciate your imput and have a good holiday.

Thanks Oily Spill, that's some good information on what to check. The previous owner left me alot of spagetti under the dash and your response certainly gives me a direction to take. I appreciate your input.

This actually sounds like a turn signal switch that's gone bad. You can buy new ones from the resto suppliers like Year One and Groundup. you can give the $3 flasher a try first, but I suspect you'll be replacing the switch. You'll just have to remove the steering wheel which requires the use of a steering wheel puller.

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 12-19-2001).]

I agree it is most likely the turn signal switch too, because the brake ligts do go up through the switch then to the turn sgnals. Thats' also how the emergency flahers overide the t/s, but the brak lightsa overide them all. I've had similar problems over the years and sometimes a faulty ground will cause weird lighting probs too. You could bypass the t/s switch with the brake light wire to each t/s wire...and see if you stl havethe prob. If not, t/s switch is bad. Good luck with the hunt.

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Before you go and pick up the switch. Replace (don't check) your brake light bulbs. And be sure they are dual filament bulbs like 1157's not single filament. What happens is the bulb filament goes bad (or someone puts the wrong bulb in) and it falls accross the other filament. Now your brake lights send power back thru the turn signal circut. It may still be the switch but I've seen this at least a dozen times.
Good luck and hope it's the easy fix.
Karl B.