Parking Lamp / Turn Signal Questions - 65 GMC 1000

[Praxiss454]

Howdy folks,

I have some electrical gremlins (and some newbie questions) and I'm hoping someone can help shed some light on things.

1. Does my 1965 GMC 1000 have front turn signals? Seems like the yellow lens parking lamps should function as turn signals. Mine don't currently.

2. If the answer to #1 is "yes", what is the likely culprit? Here are the symptoms:
-Rear turn signals work
-I don't see any turn signal indicator lights flashing on the dash
-My parking lamps do not function w/ the headlight switch pulled out half way
-My parking lamps do not function as turn signals

3. One of my parking lamp lenses had screws holding it in place. I was able to pop that one out and swap bulbs. But the other lens looks like it has rivets or metal posts. How do I take that cover off to replace the bulb?

Thanks!

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Praxiss454

Howdy folks,

I have some electrical gremlins (and some newbie questions) and I'm hoping someone can help shed some light on things.

1. Does my 1965 GMC 1000 have front turn signals? Seems like the yellow lens parking lamps should function as turn signals. Mine don't currently.

2. If the answer to #1 is "yes", what is the likely culprit? Here are the symptoms:
-Rear turn signals work
-I don't see any turn signal indicator lights flashing on the dash
-My parking lamps do not function w/ the headlight switch pulled out half way
-My parking lamps do not function as turn signals

3. One of my parking lamp lenses had screws holding it in place. I was able to pop that one out and swap bulbs. But the other lens looks like it has rivets or metal posts. How do I take that cover off to replace the bulb?

Thanks!

1-yes: proven by rears working
2-turn signal switch, bulbs, flasher, grounds, wiring: (don't overlook dimmer switch)--in that order
3-may have to break lens, remove & replace entire housing----all, IF you cannot drill rivets. Also remember the bulbs are dual-filament; REAR: one is for park lamps/running lights and other for turn signals & brake lights; FRONT: one for park & other for turn signals--but neither for front running lights, as there are no runners on front.
*GMC may vary, but Chevys work this way. HTH, sam

[60-66]

Follow the wiring to the socket with the hood up. Just pull out the socket to replace the bulb. No reason to remove lens. Most the time it is the wire harness to these turn signals. They can break down by the firewall , OR the metal holder inside the brown socket pushes out and the bulb does not make contact.Just push the metal holder back down then put in the bulb. Slamming the hood shut over time will loosen these sockets. If this doesn't
do it then the list above has to be traced.

[rvrfoot]

Check your grounds maybe not making good contact.

[Praxiss454]

Originally Posted by rvrfoot

Check your grounds maybe not making good contact.

Which grounds / where are they? Am I looking for a strap?

[rvrfoot]

Where the light socket connects into the housing make sure that is clean not a good ground light will not come on.

[Praxiss454]

Originally Posted by rvrfoot

Where the light socket connects into the housing make sure that is clean not a good ground light will not come on.

I actually have a similar question, how the heck are my 4 headlights grounded? Just through making contact with the cavity they sit within?

[Praxiss454]

OK so I got the front signals working. One I just cleaned the socket and mounting surface. The other was a series of bad splices.

Two things though, they still don't function as parking lights even though though rears do. And the 1157 bulbs didn't fit. I had to use a single filament bulb due to the post locations on the side of bulbs. My sockets have indentations that are parallel to each other, not offset. I used 1057 bulbs. The guy @ O'Reilly looked it up in his computer and sent me home w/ 1073s but I already had the 1057s open.

[Praxiss454]

Went back to the store and swapped 1073s for 1034s, which are dual filiment. Those don't fit. My sockets require the two side numbs on the bulbs to be directly across from each other, not offset. Very confused.

[jocko]

Now that you have your turn signals sorted out, this is pinging a distant memory from when I had my 66. Someone can quickly confirm or squash this - but I seem to recall that the front parking lights are designed to extinguish when the headlights are on. So, switch pulled out to parking lights only - they work, headlights on, only headlights/taillights work. Am I remembering that correctly?? Someone help me here. I believe there is a thread on here about converting to the more modern arrangement where the parking lights remain on when the headlights are on. Does this describe your issue?

[The Rocknrod]

Id turn my blinker on and use my Fluke to see if i was getting any signal to/at the light socket.
Your right there is a thread about that I remember also.
Maybe this one? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614234
http://6066gmcguy.com/parklamp6466.html

[rvrfoot]

When i go to my shop today i will see on mine.

[Praxiss454]

Yes my understanding is parking lamps only work with switch pulled out half way, and then are off when headlights are on.

My situation is, I got them working as turn signals, but they don't function as parking lamps. Wiring has been spliced poorly, so I'm not even sure what the wiring should look like, whether my sockets are Original, and whether I'm supposed to have single or dual filiment bulbs.

[60-66]

I just went and looked at my 63 and 66 GMCs plus some Chevys . All of them have two filament 1157 bulbs. All have two filament sockets with two wires to each. When half pulled the headlight switch the lamps are on , turn the signal on and it blinks but the other lamp does not go out , thats the reason for two filaments

[Praxiss454]

Originally Posted by 60-66

I just went and looked at my 63 and 66 GMCs plus some Chevys . All of them have two filament 1157 bulbs. All have two filament sockets with two wires to each. When half pulled the headlight switch the lamps are on , turn the signal on and it blinks but the other lamp does not go out , thats the reason for two filaments

Thank you, my sockets must have been swapped at some point. My sockets only have one wire each. Now I know! And that explains the cut wire coming up middle of hood not connected to anything.

[rvrfoot]

I just looked at mine i have leds so no help with mine.

[rvrfoot]