Re: Turn Signal Light

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm2.hf.intel.com>]

This is generally a corrosion problem.  What will happen is the corrosion 
will build up and provide enough electrical resistance to block electricity 
from flowing from the bulb.  Remove the bulb and look in the hole.  You 
should see two flat brass tabs (springs) that the two nipples at the base 
of the bulb rest upon.  If you just see one or one and a half, go buy a new 
housing.  Otherwise scrape the corrosion off with a small flat-tipped 
screwdriver.  There is no need to remove anything, but if you do have the 
housing off the car it is easier to perform this procedure.  If you can try 
to bend the spring towards you by using the screwdriver blade.  Just bend 
it a smidgen (a smidgen in this case is 1mm-3mm ;).  Now take a wire brush 
and buff all of the metal on the light bulb and housing socket.  We want to 
get all of the corrosion off now.  There is no need to scrub the nipples as 
they are a soft metal and shine easily (okay, dudes, no comments here! :)  
*Lightly* coat the springs and the metal of the bulb with either some kind 
of oil like WD-40 or use electrician's grease.  This will help keep the 
metal from further corrosion.  Reinstallation is sorta touchy at this point 
in time to get everything lined up properly.  Install the bulb and turn on 
your parking lights and your turn signals (or emergency flashers).  Put on 
a pair of sunglasses and carefully rotate the bulb a little left or a 
little right because chances are good that only one of the elements are 
lit.  Be careful since the bulb can get hot (lucky? for you Seattle is 
getting the same weather as Portland is so the hot bulb will probably feel 
good!)  As soon as you see both elements light up properly you can turn 
everything off and lock in the lens.  Yer done!
     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     modified '72 VW Squareback 2.0L
     stock '75 Porsche 914 1.8L


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Turn Signal Light
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    11/23/96 1:32 PM


My front left turn signal light is not working.

The turn signal light doubles as a marker light and this function works.  I
checked the bulb and it's fine.  But it does not flash when the turn signal is
activated.  When I activate the turn signal, the flasher blinks at a faster
rate than the right signal lamp.

What should I check?