Hi,

I love (and sometimes hate) my 66 Dart GT /6 225. I have replaced my under dash wiring harness with a much better (and less melted) unit. I'm trying to leave out other issues so the turn signal switch and stereo is left out of the loop at present.

The major symptom (clue)- when I move the headlight switch to the center position (not all of the way out where the headlights come on) the left blinker light comes on but does not blink. Seems all wrong to me.

Also, if I reach under the dash near the firewall, the wires are slightly warm to the touch near where they melted before. I do not want to fry the replacement harness like the old one.

I'm leaning towards 1) headlight switch (though mine is relatively new), 2) instrument cluster voltage regulator (also relatively new), the instrument cluster itself.

Any ideas?

Tom

I think you have a short out at the turnsignal. I had the same thing happen when the light bulb socket was all rusted and corroded. when I would turn on the lights the turn signal would come on. When the wire is hot that means to much current is going through to a short.

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It must be something else since turn signal switch is not even plugged in to the harness. I also noticed that my left front parking lens (the one in the front bumper) is out too even though the bulb is good.

Tom

It doesnt have to be plugged in. if it is corroded enough the turn signal will come on when the parking lights are turned on.

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Going to have to overule on this one. The turn signal switch is not even in the car. I'm waiting on a replacement from Layson's.

Tom

The headlight switch is not connected to the turn signals in ANY way. In order for the turn signal to come on as you describe is if the wire that goes to the parking light is actually connected to the turn signal instead, or the parking and turn light wires are shorted together (in which case both filaments would light in the lamp). Check all the wiring to that lamp assembly, and maybe try swapping the left and right assemblies to see if that changes anything.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

I'm think I have 2 separate electrical issues.

I will swap the light assemblies tomorrow and double the wiring see if that is one of the issues.

Now for issue #2. So what would make the left turn signal light in the instrument cluster come on when I pull the headlight switch out part way, but not all the way?

T.

1) A short between the parking light circuit and the turn circuit on that side. Check the lamp housing and wiring to it. The parking lights are not on when the headlight switch is pulled all the way out (until about '67). If you unplug the wires to the front park/turn lamp assembly and the problem goes away, the problem is in the assembly.

2) A bad ground on that lamp assembly. This would cause the turn light to come on when the parking light is on, but both would be dimmer than usual. Check the front lights on that side to see how bright they are.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

Spazus, the turn signal indicators in the dash attach to the circuit board, the headlight switch does not, it connects directly to the harness.

Wires have to be crossed up somewhere. Finding where is the challenge. Either under the hood by the grill where the sockets are, in the firewall connecters, or behind the instrument cluster itself. The left turn signal indicator in the dash is hooked up to the left turn bulb in the grill and the left turn bulb in the tail panel. If everything was legit, the only place this feed can get power is from the turn signal switch in the steering column. If any of these lights come on otherwise, theres a short somewhere.

When you do pull the switch out part way and the light in the dash comes on, what about the external lights in the tailpanel and grill?

I'm telling you clean the turn signal/parking light socket and ground. When I would turn on my lights the left turn indicator on the hood would come on(the PO had removed the ones on the instrument cluster) I cleaned the socket and ground connection and the problem was solved.

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Hi Gang,

I apologize for the delayed response. Been super busy at work.

I believe my problem is with the left turn signal lamp. When I unplug it, the left turn signal indicator light goes off in the instrument cluster (which is good) when the headlight switch is pulled out 1/2 way. When the left turn signal lamp is plugged in, I get smoke coming out of the fuse block under the dash (which is bad). I am going to replace the turn signal lamp for starters.

Now I have a question on the turn signal lamps themselves. Are they grounded with the bumper itself?

Thanks for all your help thus far.

Tom

The problem would be in the lamp socket, not the lamp.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster

I had 3 separate issues causing my woes.

1. The lamp socket was bad in the turn signal lamp. Got a replacement unit from Wildcats in Sandy, OR. Also did a little sanding of paint/crud to make the ground connections better.

2. The previous owner had spliced a wire into an existing one near the bulkhead connector on the inside of the engine compartment and after many years, there was only a few strands of copper left making the connection. This was repaired as well.

3.One of the wires in bulkhead connector was not seated properly. This caused a spark to jump the gap, resulting in my smelling melting plastic/electrical smoke under the dash. This was also fixed.

I am a happy guy right now as I have all my lamps working a decent wiring harness as well. Next up will be the hazard light harness.

Hmmm. Who to send beer to?

Thanks again,

Tom

I know the feeling. When I finally got the situation sorted out and my turn signal indicators in dash worked I was jazzed as well.

Good job tracking all that down.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster