The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay replace dash light switch and 2 other irritations

Hi all from " electrically challenged!

Need to replace light switch ( 63 GMC 4x4 burb ) I haven't done this before. I have the replacement part, how do I go about it please.

On my burb the directional signal light on the dash is on the right of the steering wheel and lights up and blinks when indicator is engaged for either right or left turns. Yesterday it stopped blinking for right turns even though the taillight blinks.However it still blinks for the left turns. I thought it was the modulal in the fuse box and replaced it but that's not it. Any ideas?

Last issue....right tail light lights up for breaks and turn signals but not for running lights...what's up with that? Replacing the bulb doesn't fix the issue.
I BTW, I just replaced the foot switch for the high beams and the ignition switch (with a little help from a friend re removing and replaceing the key cylinder from the old to the new switch)

I can see how with a little study and practice auto electrical could actually be cool!

Thanks for any help!

eb's 63

The switch change is pretty simple. There's a spring-loaded button in the center of the switch assembly. Pull the old switch to the "on" position, press the button, and pull the knob and shaft out of the dash. Then you can insert a big flat-blade screwdriver into the slot in the nut holding the switch into the dash and remove it. Swap the wires to the new switch- - - -they're probably made into an idiot-proof plug so there's no way to mix them up. There should be a raised tab that fits into a slot in the backside of the dash to keep the switch from turning as you tighten the nut. Push the shaft into the new switch. It will click into place without having to press the button. You're done!

On the tail light/turn signal issue, it sounds like you're dealing with a bad ground at the light socket. Take a wire attached with vise grips to a known good ground, like a bare, shiny spot on the frame, and touch the other end to the brass base of the bulb with it installed in the socket. If that makes everything work right, thoroughly clean the bulb socket with a wire brush,(A brass 12 gauge shotgun cleaning brush in an electric drill motor works great!) and possibly add a ground wire from the tail light assembly back to the frame.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry...I wondered what that spring loaded button at the top of the new switch was. Sounds not too complicated.

I will trouble shoot the possible bad ground for the right tail light not coming on with the head lights ( it does still work for breaks and turn signal)

What about my second issue....the fact that the dash indicator flashes for left but not right turns....but the tail light does blink?

Appreciate your help from rain soaked southern Ontario!

eb's 63

Is it maybe blinking at a very fast rate, that looks like it's on constantly? Most flashers need a specific downstream resistance to flash at the proper speed, and problems at the end of the circuit such as you're having will affect the dash indicator response. Fix the outside situation, and I'll bet the indicator starts working properly.
Jerry

Edit: there are two separate circuits through a tail/stop lamp. When the ground isn't there, it's not uncommon for the voltage to find a pseudo-ground by backing up to the other side or to a front bulb through the brake light filament and wiring. That will cause all sorts of oddball operating characteristics, such as different bulbs burning with the tail lights on or off, brake application, and turn signal use. I've seen front and rear bulbs "wigwag" with one on, and the other off alternately during turn signal use. That can make the dash indicator stay on all the time.
Jerry

Thanks again Jerry...I will start tracking the problem at the tail light 1st and see how the indicator on the dash works then.

Will let you know how it turns out.

eb's 63

Before you tackle that light switch, be sure and disconnect the battery.