Electrical problem 68 camaro

When I turn on my park lights the turn signal indicators and highbeam indicator light up and the fuel gauge drops.I tried replacing the switch with no change.I don't have a wiring diagram so I'm just guessing on what goes where.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Bruce

Reply to
Bruce Korsvoll
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that's easy...the instrument cluster is not properly grounded.

Reply to
J Forbes

Bruce, You didn't say what type of instruments you have. If you have the cluster that is part of the shifter console, it pretty common for it to have a short or a pinched wire. Check the wiring plug in the console to make sure its plugged in properly and its clean. You would be surprised at how many times over 30 years a coke or coffee has been spilled on it. Of course, check the ground for the console and make sure the right type of bulb is being used. If you don't have a wiring schematic I would suggest unplugging the console from the rest of the car and see if everything works ok when the lights are on. If the lights are ok and the problem occurs when you plug in the console gauges, at least you have a starting point. If you only have the regular standard cluster then I would pull the speedo fuel cluster section out and check to make sure the mylar on the back has not been cut or pinched. There is only one big plug in the back. ( if memory serves me)and the speedo nut. You should also drop the steering column, it will be easier to pull that section out. Now to isolate the problem I would first check all the lights in the lighting circuit. Which are the parking lights, tail lights, side markers,ect. The front parking lights are known to rot out and cause all kinds of problems. Especially, make sure to use the right bulbs. (1157).

Turn on all the lights and see how they all look. If the turn signal indicator lights are on in the inside, how do they look on the outside? Are they on too? Or off? If they are off then I would look for a problem inside the car. If they are on, diconnect the bulb in the grille and see if the indicator lights inside change at all. If its off you have to look at the fire wall plug,turn signal relay, and follow the harness all the way to the front turn signals( pay particular attention to the connector, over time it can actually move inside the plug and reverse the polarity). I can't cover every scenario but I hope this gets you started. I would strongly suggest you get a service book and go to this web site.

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Its a great source for the first generations. If you have any other questions just email me. Good Luck

Ed 68SS 355 powered.......

Reply to
Double D

Reply to
Bruce Korsvoll

yup, it *was* easy!

Dead giveaway is that some lights get dim when other lights turn on....

Reply to
J Forbes

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