83 K5 back light blinker problem need advice

[MikeWho]

When you turn the flashers on everything works the only problem is with the back lights won't work for the left signal and they both flash for the right signal. The right signal on the dash stays on when the lights are turned on. The light under the headlight on the passenger side doesn't work but it has power. Must be a ground issue. The light inside the grill on the passenger side is really dim when the lights are on but the blinkers and flashers light up normally. Any input would be appreciated this is the last thing to tackle until I can take it on its maiden voyage on the streets. Thanks

 

[dyeager535]

Did this just start happening, or has it been since you owned it?

Assuming it just happened, I agree with grounds. Make sure the bulb that doesn't work is not bad (as opposed to a bad ground), bad bulbs will also cause issues.

 

[MikeWho]

I just bought it a month ago had no motor in it. All the bulbs are new all fuses are good.

 

[82355]

Grounds.

Martin

 

[K5_Fla]

change all the bulbs too... even if they look good.

 

[dyeager535]

I actually had that problem fairly recently. Bulb looked good, swapping it side to side proved otherwise. Screwed around a bit thinking it was a ground issue.

 

[Blue85]

Look in the back for trailer wiring. Many a yahoo has committed near-felonious wiring crimes attempting to wire a trailer plug. And studies show that something like 95% of previous owners are yahoos.

My only other tip is to check the sockets if replacing a bulb doesn't work. I've replaced a few good bulbs over the years due to dirty or worn tailight sockets.

 

[MikeWho]

All the bulbs are brand new as is I just put them all in a few weeks ago. I know the sockets are good for the fact that the turn signal flashes just on the wrong side. With the light that doesn't work under the headlight its the kind that plugs in to the two prongs in the back. I tested it on the driver side so I know it works. The turn signal in the grill on the driver side could possibly be the socket. Is there a way to test a socket to see if its no good??

 

[greatwhitez71]

Check your blinker fluid. It may be low

 

[MikeWho]

Haha I made sure the blinker fluid was topped off when I changed out my muffler bearings.

 

[dyeager535]

Use a multimeter and check for voltage/ground inside the socket. Just watch the probes, pretty hard to get in some of the light bulb sockets without testing your fuse out to make sure it still works.

Only failures I've seen with the sockets are the front side markers (sometimes melt) and the springs get weak and the bulbs are intermittent. You can stick a screwdriver in the socket (key off of course) and add some tension to the spring at the bottom, but that doesn't seem to fix the problem all the time, or only temporarily. I can wiggle the bulb and get it to come on/go off in that instance.

 

[MikeWho]

I got everything done today on the lights and blinkers. It was all grounds and one wire not hooked to the right spot. Thanks now just my brake light issue I posted on here.