1968 Electrical Problem

[Gary Noser]

I have a problem with the turn signals on my 68. I have been trying to figure out this problem for a while now and the time to drive my car in MN is running out, so I figured I would see if you guys had any ideas. The signals do not work left or right. They had been working fine after I replaced the flasher. The hazard lights do work properly accept if you press the brake pedal then the light stay on. Also the tail lamp fuse burns out if I put the headlights on, but I checked and the fuse also burns out if I pull the knob out only half way (just running lights). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,
Gary

[Jack H.]

Re: 1968 Electrical Problem

Anything that causes fuses to pop is telling you there's a branch circuit current overload in the system. This means one or more permanent or temporary short circuits. These have to be fault isolated, tracked down and KILLED before you can proceed much further....

The easy way to stone the problem is to replace the affected wiring harness assy's, but that's a SHOTGUN approach! If you're not electrically experienced, my standard suggestion is to call a cop.

Call a cop!!!!! Yep, police cars are complex with add-in electrical goodies these days and almost all are purchased by a government agency on open bid, then sent to a local auto electric shop for 'conversion' to add the cop 'goodies' (also typically done by competitive bidding).

That means there's a competent auto electric shop in virtually Everytown, USA, who's (1) good, (2) cheap, and (3) honest as the day is long (if not, they're probably in jail). A good auto electric shop has tools that make pin pointing the EXACT failure location is wiring harness a breeze. Doing the job yourself by guess and by gosh, can be a real tear your hair out experience.

From what you say, you can make the problem(s) come and go, on demand. That's GREAT! The worst is when you've got hiccups that are intermittent.

My guess is a competent auto electric shop should be able to fault isolate, and repair your problems in two to four hours. Compare that to the cost of replacement wiring harness assy and the (*&^% of a job it is to install a dash harness and it's WELL worth the farm-out expense!

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Electrical Problem

Gary the problems you have described I have not encountered with my 68 yet. Reference the taillights burning out when turned on. Have you removed all four of the rear tailamp/stoplight bulbs and examined, cleaned any corrosion, and tested the output individually with the bulbs removed and parking lamps on? Check the opposite side of the fuse block for corrosion, this part is in the engine compartment and can be removed for this inspection. The hazard light function and turn signal function use separate flashers. The replaced flasher for the turn signals that worked initially, have you tested it to be sure it is still functional? Remove the ground wire at each connection for each taillamp and clean the attachment point would be a good starting point. These are accessable from under the car. You might remove all the wires connecting to the taillight housing and clean the rust/corrosion. When I painted my 68 about 20 years ago I did this when I removed the taillamp housings. Perhaps that is why I have not encountered these problems. Good luck, like you say the driving time is running out.