[71chevy0192]

How are you guys?

This is probably an easy one for you guys...

I'm just about ready to get my chevelle back on the road, but i'm having a little bit of an electrical problem. When I turn on my running lights and/or my headlights my left turn signal (drivers side) and left brake light (both in rear...front is ok) will not work. When the lights are not on at all, then they work fine. Also when trying to use my left turn signal when the lights and/or running lights are on, the blinker for my turn signal won't work either. Any advice on what might be causing this, or what to check for, guys? I just noticed this tonight, and don't have time to fix it, but I will check fuses in the morning. Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys. I suppose if I can't get this figured out i'll just have to avoid driving at night....but that's when all the cruising goes on.

 

[John_Muha]

1, Check and replace the left rear bulb. If OK.
2, While the headlights and the brake is applied use a jumper wire. Touch one end to the left rear bulb. Touch it on the bulb base right where the metal base meets the glass. Touch the other end of the jumper to a known good clean gound. See if the light behaves itself. If so bad socket or bad ground wire.

 

[68Phoenix]

The left rear lights not working ONLY when the headlights are on, just happened to me on my 68. It was the tail-light socket not making contact with the body. A jumper wire fixed it (from a body ground to the metal clip holding the socket in place).

 

[John_Muha]

A 71 doesn't use chassis or frame ground. The socket has a seperate ground wire.

 

[71chevy0192]

Well I know the bulbs are good because they do work. The only time they don't work is when I turn on my running lights and/or headlights. As mentioned before, that is the only time that my two left (drivers side) rear lights won't work....as well as the left rear turn signal. Everything works just fine with the lights and/or running lights are not on. Does that make sense?