Well, this seems really odd to me. Perhaps some of the more experienced vets around here will know what to do...thats my hope, at least.

Heres whats happening:

1.When I brake...my parking lights (the amber colored ones just below my headlights) light up solidly. As soon as I let off the brake, they go off again.

2. My right turn signal works fine, but when i hit the left signal, it just stays solid and does not blink. I have confirmed this by standing outside of the truck, just to clarify. I have to manually move the turn signal selector up and down, to make my left blinker work

3. When my right signal is blinking, the left brake light blinks as well, only just a little fainter than the one that is suppossed to be blinking. Not sure if it works the other way around, due to what I described in problem #2.

4. I noticed that my fm transmitter works fine in my cigarette lighter, but it sort of blinks from time to time...like the voltage is unstable or something. I use an fm transmitter so i can listen to my mp3 player over my stereo.


I have replaced fuses and relays and checked my turn signal contacts to make sure the wires were not crossing. The turn signal contacts are old, but dont seem to be touching. I have good dry cell battery that is putting out 12volts solid and a new alternator.

This just started happening not very long ago, and has not always done this.

Any ideas? This is really making me nuts!

 

1st of all, lonelypauly, you are not alone here! Welcome to FTE & the 67-72 Forum page where most are dedicated to our FoMoCo Trucks & their preservation.

Don't know about the FM transmitter, sounds like a loose connection though. Probably req's a dedicated power source with more than an "adapter" style plug in a lighter.

As for the brake/ turn sig, I would 1st check all bulbs as it sounds as if you have a blown filament that has crossed with another filiment in one of your 1157 bulbs. And if that's not the solution, the problem is in turn sig indicator switch in the mast jacket, beneath your steering wheel. But I would bet the filament problem will do it.

FBp

 

ok, I don't know what a filament is. what should i be looking for?

 

The filament is the wire inside a lightbulb that glows "white-hot" giving off light. The 1157 is a dual filament bulb (2 hot connections, 1 common ground).
Filaments are usually made from tungsten, or a tungsten alloy.

 

oh, so what you are saying is that i may have either the wrong type of bulb, or possibly a bad bulb somewhere? do i need to make sure all of my bulbs are 1157 from now on then?

 

Also check your light sockets for any weird stuff. I once had a 1157 socket that had crossed up connectors. Sometimes on a worn/rusty socket, you can move them around when you try to screw in a bulb. use a little grease on the base of the bulb when you put it in. I've found that usually on these kinds of probs it ends up being that $50 wad of plastic and cheap metal contacts under the steering wheel. But always check the obvious and cheap fixes first.

 

I agree with checking all of your lamps and sockets first (the simpler the solution--the better!). If everything's good, then you may be looking at a turn-signal switch issue as others have said. Diagnosing lighting issues in these rigs can be a large PITA since everything is inbred through that switch.

The 1157 lamp has two filaments so you can have marker lights and brake/turn signal at the same time.

From what you've said, I don't see your FM transmitter issue having anything to do with the lights.

Baitmaster, where do you find a switch for $50? I've paid $12 for the cancelling cam, but the cheapest I've found the switch itself for is $71 through Ford. I must be shopping in the wrong place...

 

problem solved. thanks for the info guys, i really appreciate it.

sometimes i tend to think the worst is happening, when in reality, it is something simple.

i found an 1156 filament bulb in an 1157 socket...on to the next thing now...im working on this truck constantly...sort of restoring and PMing as i go...as what most of us are doing i guess.

thanks again.

 

Congrats! Glad it was an easy fix.