1958 left blinker not working (need help)

[Daniel J.]

working on finishing up restoration (new wiring & electrical never worked when restoration started)
Got steering column buttoned up and everything works, except the lefthand blinkers will not blink.

Right side works.
Left lamps light up solid when turn lever engaged and the dash indicator lights up solid.
Turn cancelling works.
Checked both front and rear lamps and both elements work (no shorts)
Brake lamps work.

Any suggestions appreciated.
Dan

[David M.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Verify you have good grounds at the suspect sockets and that circuit. Trace it from its source to the bulb.
Swap known good blinking bulbs to the suspect sockets see if they blink.

[Daniel J.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

David,
grounds are good. Bulbs are confirmed good. Sockets are confirmed good.
Could it be the wiring assembly in the steering wheel hub?
Dan

[Gary C.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Daniel,

Recommend running a ground wire from the battery or ground the frame from the negative post and then run a wire to the socket to make absolutely sure that wiring is bad. That will absolutely confirm it's not a grounding problem. Just sayin'.

Gary
....

[Daniel J.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Gary,

I will give that a try, but if both the front and rear LH running lights & rear brake lamps work...I am thinking it is not a grounding issue at both sockets, but I will do as you suggest and try it.

Dan

[Gary C.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Dan,

Doesn't sound like a ground problem, but you never know.

Next step is tracing from the socket back with checking the socket pin and then the wiring where it plugs into the bulb socket.

Gary
....

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

I had a similar problem on my 58 - drove me nuts. Finally figured out that the wires to the lamp socket were reversed (new LL harness.....). I switched the wires at the lamp socket and all was right in the world of blinking again.

Tom

[Joseph L.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Hi Dan

I fixed this same problem last night on my 1957. The L front would not light, the L rear was constantly lit, the L dash indicator was constantly lit. I do not have the 1958 AIM in front of me. Going from the 1957 AIM, Sec. 12, Sheet 6, there are two 3-wire connectors at the panel at the radiator support on the left side. The right connector is for the headlamps; the left one is for the turn signal and parking lamp.
I sprayed contact cleaner (trichloroethylene) in the connector, and it worked. Also try disconnecting and reconnecting the connector wires.

Joe

[David M.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

All great info.
Sometimes its the smallest detail overlooked after the simple easy troubleshooting items are eliminated (grounds).
Incorrect wiring even broken wire under insulation or under a crimp. The spring under the bulb contact may be broken or week, Saw that once.

Gota sleuth it out with a VOM, Diagrams, sense and ye-old-eyeballs.

Countless times people forget these cars are 50-60-70+ years old. Grounds on these cars when new were good for about 5 years before they start to deteriorate and increase in resistance from oxidation. Not as quick for S.Cali or Arizona cars, different story for salt belt damp environment cars.

Neg ground systems...first thing on the troubleshooting list is grounds.

You have covered that move down the trouble shooting tree.

[Daniel J.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Update,
double checked the grounds, checked that power is getting to the sockets, checked the rear socket wiring and the black wire is on the same orientation for both sides, checked wiring at column connectors to confirm color to color is matched up.

new information,
When operate left blinker the lamps front & back go on, but do not blink (and turn indicator stays solid).

Could it be the turn signal switch in the steering hub?
Dan

[David M.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

I know we already discussed this just verifying...did you flip flop all the left side bulbs to the right front and rear? Good practice to inspect the bulb contacts on the car.

Did you check all the right side wires for continuity from the source to the bulb sockets?

Think about what is generally broken when the turn signal system does this. A filament in one of the bulbs is broken or open. This is by design to let you know a bulbs blown. This tells me something in the circuit is open not allowing the flasher to make n break.

Do both elements in the dual filament bulbs illuminate?

If the flasher was shot the left side wouldn't blink.

What happens when you put the 4 way flashers on?

You are using old school bulbs right not LEDs?

Also have all the right side sockets pulled out and dangling. Turn the stalk to activate the right side now go to each socket wiggle and tug, push wiggle the bulb etc see if it magically starts working.

Use a long jumper wire to a good ground source and probe the flash circuit see if the forced ground make it work.
A test light comes in handy here.

If all of the above checks then its time for a deeper dive. Look at the indicator bulbs and traces in the speedo head.
Then inspect the switch & wires in the column down through the flat connector then out to the right side.
Not sure which is the easier path. Dash or column. Prob column depending on your age and body type... lol

[Daniel J.]

1958 how to test a turn signal switch (help)

I am still narrowing down the left turn blinker (not blinking) issue.
Question...how do you bench test a turn signal switch assembly?

Appreciate any help, Dan Johnson

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 how to test a turn signal switch (help)

Daniel there's a diagram of the switch in our database Main Page..... Here

Use your ohmmeter or test light, following the wire color function descriptions shown at upper left of diagram.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 left blinker not working (need help)

Daniel, I posted a diagram in your other thread asking how to test the directional switch. (edit: now integrated here)

I just read through this thread. Your filaments in all bulbs are good, but are they to spec?(rhetorically)

Did you swap the bulbs left to right to left as mentioned? If there's a spec difference in your bulbs it could in fact cause a condition like you're seeing.

I don't think it's your switch. You may have different candlepower bulbs between the two sides, and your flasher may not be the right rating or could be out of spec, meaning it's a "soft" defect..... switching lamps on one side, but not the other.

Did you try a replacement flasher?

Rich

[David M.]

Re: 1958 how to test a turn signal switch (help)

Moderators... can we combine this thread with Daniels original thread so we don't lose the trouble shooting and solution when found.