brake lights/turn signals= non existant.

So I pulled my 74 caprice out the other day because it was actually nice enough to do something to it. After gpoing through the whole shebang I was hoping to drive it to work, so I tested the turn signals to make sure it was driveable. ( I've always had problems with them) turns out neither the turn signals or the brake lights are showing. Its sat for quite awhile but when I put it away last fall I'm pretty sure everything worked. Anyone have any answers for me? I haven't really looked into the problem but any advice would be appreciated!

 

I'm sure you know the obvious....fuses.

Since it's been sitting all winter and assuming the obvious is good, it would be a darn good idea the check all the bulbs and their sockets to make sure corrosion isn't causing the failure. Check any ground wires especially. I'll bet a bit of housekeeping (cleaning and corrosion fix) will do the trick. Go ahead and get some dielectric grease and lube 'em up before you reinstall all the bulbs.

I always start simple and most of the time it is simple.

 

thanks i will definately start there!

 

not so fast

what shows in the front?

try these tests:

headlights on, what shows? parking? tails? try the 4 ways. anything front or rear?
same with signals - anything work up front?

FWIR your taillights ea have 1 double filament bulb.

I suppose it's possible for both bulbs to go at the same time, but not likely.

A burnt out or corroded / bad socket, etc. front bulb (signal) will affect the signals (slow them down) in the rear

I would imagine the same would happen vice versa - see what the fronts say

 

Squirells???

Little beggers chew thru almost anything...
Later,
Bruce

 

its common in those years of GM that the contacts get all goofy...or it may have just blown out the signal/brake filaments....they are both the same in the bulbs

 

does it have a tilt column-remember all lights except head lamps go thru the turn switch--check connector at base of column-clean and put back together and test

 

I'm with you on that. If they sit for awhile, the humidity starts corroding the bulb contacts and stresses out the rest of the contacts, including grounds. The Flasher unit might also be affected. I prefer the clear plastic flashers over the aluminum ones for that very reason.

One way you can prevent it from happening again is to dab a little gob of vaseline or lubriplate on the bulb contacts. It might also be called a non-conductive grease. use a Q-tip and just put an even, thin coat on them.