Re: '49 turn signal issue

Posted by HH56 On 2016/7/10 9:59:23

If yours is not one of the hybrid systems such as in the post Wes linked to, the 49 22nd series turnsignals in the early 22nds are relatively simple compared to the 49 23rd series. You should have only 3 wires going up the column to the switch. It could be the switch - or one of the wires - but before going there, I would do the easy part first by very carefully examining the wiring, bulbs and sockets in the trunk.

The 22nd turnsignals should use a separate bulb at the rear and it is typically positioned in the lower hole in the housing. That location puts it at the right height to be easily damaged if something in the trunk shifts and happens to hit the socket. The wire going into the socket could be smashed and shorted at the center hole. Another possibility is one of the plastic connectors or one of the wires near the left tail light where the socket wire joins the body loom coming overhead from inside the car could be damaged. Since it is the left side, the short loom going across the rear of trunk floor and the right lamp assy should not be involved. For future reference, you might note that short section of loom has been known to give issues with tail lights if a wire shorts at the hole in the floor where wires exit to supply the license lights.

If the trunk area checks out, also look at the wiring in the engine compartment. Not as likely a spot as the trunk but the old insulation in the short rubber cable to parking lights could be dry and brittle and a chunk fell off allowing it to short. Typically that happens where it exits the compartment thru a hole and enters the outer fender or grill area to reach the light assy..

If nothing is found then time to look at the column and switch. The wires go thru a bracket at the bottom and up the column to a hole in the mounting plate where they make a sharp bend into the switch. If a chunk of the old insulation fell off there could be a short.