'65 Turn Signal Problem

[Tim Genovese]

I have a problem with my right turn signal in that it does not work at idle. However, as soon as the rpms increase the right turn signal will begin to work. But as soon as the rpms decrease the right turn signal will once again stop functioning.

Any ideas?

[Jack H.]

Re: '65 Turn Signal Problem

Hum, sounds like a flasher issue. '65 came in two states of 'tune' -- stock car/Z01 comfort/convenience option. Z01 option gave day/nite mirror and backup lamps. Cars with backup lamps used 224, 2-lamp flasher (blue can). Cars without used 552, 3-lamp flasher (gold or silver can). Difference was how much load (resistance of bulbs, two or three) they'd drive.

Next, the flasher was mounted on bayonet clip attached to upper LH side of center console EVEN THOUGH there's a socket in the main fuse panel. When mounted in the bayonet clip, a special 0.47 mfd capacitor with insulated leads and a folded fish paper insulator (keep capacitor from shorting to metal flasher can) was 'tacked' onto the leads of the flasher can and 'sandwiched' into the flasher socket.

If your flasher is wrong, or marginal, your capacitor (prevents 'doink doink' noise in radio) is leaky and/or shorting to the flasher case, AND various bulbs have been changed for different resistance/candlepower values, you could be on the borderline. A slightly higher drive voltage (alternator putting out good & hard at higher RPM) is enough to overcome the other system problems....

Try (1) checking the lamps in front/back against owner's manual spec, (2) pulling the turn signal flasher AND its radio capacitor and replace with current fresh 552 or 224 flasher without capacitor to see if the problem goes away.

[Jack H.]

Re: '65 Turn Signal Problem

Hum, sounds like a flasher issue. '65 came in two states of 'tune' -- stock car/Z01 comfort/convenience option. Z01 option gave day/nite mirror and backup lamps. Cars with backup lamps used 224, 2-lamp flasher (blue can). Cars without used 552, 3-lamp flasher (gold or silver can). Difference was how much load (resistance of bulbs, two or three) they'd drive.

Next, the flasher was mounted on bayonet clip attached to upper LH side of center console EVEN THOUGH there's a socket in the main fuse panel. When mounted in the bayonet clip, a special 0.47 mfd capacitor with insulated leads and a folded fish paper insulator (keep capacitor from shorting to metal flasher can) was 'tacked' onto the leads of the flasher can and 'sandwiched' into the flasher socket.

If your flasher is wrong, or marginal, your capacitor (prevents 'doink doink' noise in radio) is leaky and/or shorting to the flasher case, AND various bulbs have been changed for different resistance/candlepower values, you could be on the borderline. A slightly higher drive voltage (alternator putting out good & hard at higher RPM) is enough to overcome the other system problems....

Try (1) checking the lamps in front/back against owner's manual spec, (2) pulling the turn signal flasher AND its radio capacitor and replace with current fresh 552 or 224 flasher without capacitor to see if the problem goes away.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 Turn Signal Problem

Tim, if your no/slow flash only happens on a RIGHT turn, then I doubt that the flasher is at fault. While you're following Jack's suggestion to check resistance by inspecting the bulb numbers, clean any corrosion from the contacts and base in the sockets of the bulbs on the right front and rear signal lamps. Another possibility (but rare) is that the right turn contact in the turn signal mechanism has a high resistance (dirty, corroded, bent/barely making contact) -- disconnect steering shaft at upper rag joint and pull steering wheel out just enough to inspect. The next suspect could be poor grounding wire connection at the front and rear lamps on that side -- again a high resistance problem, as Jack has identified.

If all fails to correct, you'll have to accept that your car is probably a Clinton -- minimal indication of intention to make a turn to the right (or none when idle). It's important to note that this condition does not prevent the car from turning right anyway.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 Turn Signal Problem

Tim, if your no/slow flash only happens on a RIGHT turn, then I doubt that the flasher is at fault. While you're following Jack's suggestion to check resistance by inspecting the bulb numbers, clean any corrosion from the contacts and base in the sockets of the bulbs on the right front and rear signal lamps. Another possibility (but rare) is that the right turn contact in the turn signal mechanism has a high resistance (dirty, corroded, bent/barely making contact) -- disconnect steering shaft at upper rag joint and pull steering wheel out just enough to inspect. The next suspect could be poor grounding wire connection at the front and rear lamps on that side -- again a high resistance problem, as Jack has identified.

If all fails to correct, you'll have to accept that your car is probably a Clinton -- minimal indication of intention to make a turn to the right (or none when idle). It's important to note that this condition does not prevent the car from turning right anyway.