Turn signal speed

[parsok]

I'm in the last throws, I hope, of getting my new to me '80 ready for certification. The turn signals work but they seem slow to me. I've done the brown wire fix so they should be a at full speed which is a little over 1 second btw flashes.

What is supposed to be the normal speed for these cars?

[vandor]

I *think* it's half a second on, half a second off. We sell electronic flashers that keep the blink speed more constant, although they do slow down a bit too with low voltage.

[parsok]

what strength of voltage should be coming into the turn signal or the licence plate lights? I checked an it is 10.58. I'm thinking that is a little low.

[vandor]

what strength of voltage should be coming into the turn signal or the licence plate lights? I checked an it is 10.58. I'm thinking that is a little low.

It does sound low. Between 12 and 13 volts would be ideal, the higher the better.
Was this with the car running or not? The battery has ~12.7 volts, but if the car is running, the stock alternator puts out 13.5-13.8 volts, so the readings at the bulb would be higher.
The hi-po 95 amp alternators put out ~14.5 Volts, that is why everything works better with those

[parsok]

No it wasn't running.

Yeah, think I'll make the move to the 95A.

[parsok]

Ok, so aside from the speed of the signals i have another issue.

All of the lights work. however, when I turn on the left signal this happens: left front signal and mark flash; both tail lights flash and the right rear signal light flashes. It is the opposite for a right signal.

Ideas?

Tx Dave

[vandor]

>left front signal and mark flash

What do you mean by 'mark'?

Sounds like the rear taillights are not grounded properly.

[parsok]

Oops, meant 'marker' or sidelight.

I tried searching for the taillight ground but so far can't find it. Advice?

[124JOE]

dave the bulbs you bought was the wrong ones
the contacts are touching bothsides causing back voltage
they sell 1157 and a simalar style with contacts at 90 degrees to each other

yes i could be wrong myself
and im sorry if thats so
but thats what went thru my head

[vandor]

I tried searching for the taillight ground but so far can't find it. Advice?

I think they ground under one of the studs of the left taillight. BTW, those Spider 2000 taillight circuit boards can have internal breaks, and that will drive any man insane trying to diagnose the problem. For sure check that all the rivets that hold the bulb holders are tight.

[parsok]

Here's the next update:

replaced the turn signal bulbs with 1156. Without the car running I checked the signals and they worked and worked quickly. Woohoo, victory is mine

Still not running I turned the parking lights on and the signals worked but at half the speed. Turned the headlights on and they stopped working. So now its WTF?

Note the PO wired together the A & B fuse holders on the fuse block. Not sure why.

Ideas?

Dave

[124JOE]

have the key on for that test with headlights

[vandor]

First, I would test with the car running, as that's how you will be using the lights
Then I would remove the ground stars in the front of the engine compartment, clean them, reinstall them, and make sure every wire that gets connected is nice and tight.

[parsok]

had done the grounds previously. I try with the car started tomorrow and report back.

[parsok]

Here's the report: Exactly the same with the car running. signals work great until either the parking or headlights are switched on. I'm thinking either a signal relay, faulty light switch or lack of power with the 55A. Picking up the 95A from Mark tonight so I'll put it on and have a go.