Both turn signal dash lights, flash when the turn signal is used Options

[tradisrad]

All exterior lights work properly, but both the dash lights (left and right turn signal) go on when I use my turn signal. I am expecting the left arrow to flash for a left turn and the right arrow for a right turn, but both arrows flash all the time. the car is a 1970. I think I cleaned all the ground points.
Is this a common problem? What is the fix?
thanks
-Rob

[flipb]

All exterior lights work properly, but both the dash lights (left and right turn signal) go on when I use my turn signal. I am expecting the left arrow to flash for a left turn and the right arrow for a right turn, but both arrows flash all the time. the car is a 1970. I think I cleaned all the ground points.
Is this a common problem? What is the fix?
thanks
-Rob

I have the same issue on my '74. In a different thread, I remember somebody saying it's due to a bad relay - and that a VW Bus relay works well as a replacement.

That said, I haven't done anything about it yet. Group buy? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[904svo]

Make sure all the bulbs are the correct ones, if you use led bulbs this will happen.
What you are describing is a feature that if one of the bulbs are burn out or the wrong type of bulbs used both turn signal indicators will light, this is control by the flasher by measuring the current flow to the light bulbs. I had the same trouble when I installed the wiring harness in my kit car. I did not connect the side marker
light and this is what happen.

[underthetire]

I have the same issue with mine. Someone here said bad ground. Groundloop through a bulb will cause this. I to have not done anything about it either.

[tradisrad]

Is it a good thing that I am not alone? Don't think so.
My inital thought was a burnt out bulb, but all 4 corners work. Am I correct to say that the side markers do not act as turn signals?
I've got extra relays so I'll try that first.
My car has been off of the road for 25+ years and this is my main electrical problem, so I think I'm doing ok.
If I get to it soon I'll post my results. I may get to it after I put the trash out tonight or else it's later in the week.

[orange914]

I have the same issue with mine. Someone here said bad ground. Groundloop through a bulb will cause this. I to have not done anything about it either.

it sounds alot like a common issue on older chevy p/u's. the side marker socket looses the ground. the outside signals would operate normally, but would backfeed a ground thru the dash an flash them both in the cluster. 35 year old car thats sat for years i'd bet a ground issue. winter can add resistance to a weak ground too.

[tat2dphreak]

shit, I thought it was the "way it was"... both of mine did this.

[john rogers]

Some 914s had but one light in the tach and some have two and some of the ones that have two lights have both flash when either right or left signals are activated. Make sure that the external signals are working correctly and worry about rust prevention, it is much more important.

[jetboy]

Let us know if replacing the relay is a fix. Mine do this, but, mine are only intermittent. When doing a walk around, the lights function correctly. Its only annoying to have the "hazard" effect on my gauge.

[tradisrad]

What rust? Well I do have a very small amount in the gutter for the front trunk rubber. NO other rust.

I did not get to the relay last night. Maybe tonight, but I've got a lot going on for the next 4 days.

It sounds like I may be chasing a non-issue. I've been in a '73 for the last 15+ years and now I'm in a '70.

[rhcb914]

I have a 70 and mine has a similar issue. Turn on the right directional and just the right indicator blinks. Step on the break and both indicators blink. Turn on the left and both blink but all the exterior lights work properly. I have cleaned all the grounds, replaced the relay but it hasn't fixed it. I eventually gave up. Hopefully someone has the answer.

[type47]

If I recall, this may be the way it operates; both turn signal lights in the tach flash no matter what, left or right. I think sometime it change either from both flashing (as someone with an early car stated above) to individual direction flashing or the other way around, individual direction to both flashing.

[flipb]

I believe there is only one bulb inside the turnsignal indicator, which would flash both indicators when either side is activated. Mine did the same thing until about two months ago. Now, the left signal makes the indicator work but my right signal does not (both signals work on the outside front and rear)?

My green indicator light turns off when my headlights go on!

Green indicator light is supposed to turn off when headlights are on. It is for parking lights only.

There are two bulbs. You need a new relay. A turnsignal relay from a VW bus is a great replacement and will restore proper function of left and right dash indicators.

Here's the post that suggested changing the relay.

There are two bulbs. You need a new relay. A turnsignal relay from a VW bus is a great replacement and will restore proper function of left and right dash indicators.

[flipb]

And since I like pictures, here are the two leads for the two separate turn signal indicator bulbs in the top of the tach (this is a '74).

[tat2dphreak]

hmm. I didn't care before, but now I must look to see if mine has 1 or 2 bulbs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[plas76targa]

FWIW - my 72 blinks similar to above - left flashes for left turn, and right for right turn. Only thing is after about 3-4 blinks then BOTH indicators blink. I plan on checking the bulbs for clean contacts and check all possible grounds.

[Phoenix-MN]

FWIW - my 72 blinks similar to above - left flashes for left turn, and right for right turn. Only thing is after about 3-4 blinks then BOTH indicators blink. I plan on checking the bulbs for clean contacts and check all possible grounds.

Maybe related or not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) but my 911 exibits this behavior also. The cure for me is to clean the contact ponts for the fuses on the fuse panel. Maybe it will work also for 914's (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Paul

[SGB]

I had the both indicators flashing thing for 15 years. I was sure it was just that way, until a VW guy put in a bus flasher and OMG, it works!

My car is a 73. with silver button instruments. Jay told me I had the wrong flasher unit anyway, b/c the parts places only make one flasher for all 914s. IDK how he knew to try the bus flasher- probably by appearance and familiarity with the alternatives....

I'll try to get a part number tonight or tomorrow.

[SirAndy]

If I recall, this may be the way it operates; both turn signal lights in the tach flash no matter what, left or right. I think sometime it change either from both flashing (as someone with an early car stated above) to individual direction flashing or the other way around, individual direction to both flashing.

Yes. Sort of. Early cars should have the indicator lights operate separately. Later cars only have one bulb. And then there's the cars in-between that still have both bulbs but they always flash together.

Confused? Welcome to the club ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


On a '70, they should work individually. Try this, when blinking, rev up the engine above 2k rpm or so and see if the lights blink individually then.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Andy

[underthetire]

If I recall, this may be the way it operates; both turn signal lights in the tach flash no matter what, left or right. I think sometime it change either from both flashing (as someone with an early car stated above) to individual direction flashing or the other way around, individual direction to both flashing.

Yes. Sort of. Early cars should have the indicator lights operate separately. Later cars only have one bulb. And then there's the cars in-between that still have both bulbs but they always flash together.

Confused? Welcome to the club ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


On a '70, they should work individually. Try this, when blinking, rev up the engine above 2k rpm or so and see if the lights blink individually then.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Andy

Mine do that. Everyone looks at you kinda funny with a 2k idle though.