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Tail/blinker light


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parisda
New User

May 8, 2009, 6:53 AM

Post #1 of 5 (2238 views)
Tail/blinker light Sign In

Hello there,
1972 Chevy C20 Truck. 1157 light bulb. Using an electronic multimeter I ground one side, then touch the other side to the tail light side of the bulb socket, I get a reading around 11 volts. With the blinker ON I touch the multimeter to the blinker side of the socket and get variable readings (obviously) up to +10 volts. Seems correct, I'd say. Then, ground the 1157 with a copper wire and touch the Tail light side of the bulb to the tail light side of the socket- it lights. Touch it to the blinker side of the socket- it doesn't light. Touch the blinker side of the bulb to the tail side of the socket, it lights. Touch the blinker side of bulb to blinker side of socket- no light.

Why does the meter show a reading, but the bulb don't light?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 8, 2009, 7:04 AM

Post #2 of 5 (2235 views)
Re: Tail/blinker light Sign In

You probably just have a contact problem in the socket so it isn't making a real good connection. If you have verified the power, double check that you have a good ground. If so, replace the socket.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



parisda
New User

May 8, 2009, 7:52 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2233 views)
Re: Tail/blinker light Sign In

Thanks for the reply.
I just checked out the other blinker, and in comparison, I'm showing up to 14v on the rt blinker, compared to up to 10v on the left blinker. Does an 1157 require the full 12v or more in order to light?

Thanks,
David P.
Ann Arbor, MI


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 8, 2009, 8:04 AM

Post #4 of 5 (2227 views)
Re: Tail/blinker light Sign In

The battery voltage is the same throughout the car so you have a connection or resistance problem there somewhere. You had to have the car running to see 14v though.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 9, 2009, 6:18 AM

Post #5 of 5 (2215 views)
Re: Tail/blinker light Sign In

Just a thought: Bed of truck needs to be grounded to frame somewhere - perhaps more than once. It's rubber mounted on frame which also need to be grounded to engine block then back to negative battery post.

I've observed many problems with rear lighting caused by corroded trailer wiring especially in pick up trucks or any that was ever wired for a trailer.

I'd also just toss the socket itself - solder in and shrink wrap splice and grease the inside of socket with a silicone or dielectic type grease - plain Vasoline would be better than nothing for that too.

Just guesses......

T







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