Exterior Lighting Woes

[Thermal Izod]

Hey all,

I have an '82 K10 Fleetside 4wd...

I've been having problems with lights going out...So I'm about to overhaul the system...I've had parklamps/blinkers go in the front, and replaced bulbs, but the sockets were in bad shape, so it worked for a while, then went out again...I'm thinking that I should replace all the sockets and bulbs in one shot...is that advisable?  Or should I also try to find a lighting wiring harness too?  If so, where would I find one?  The wiring looks ok, I'm thinking I should be ok with just new sockets/bulbs...

In addition to a miriad of bulbs currently out, the left turn signal is blinking, SLOW...much slower than the right...Is that probably just b/c I have bulbs out?  Also, the left signal doesn't blink on the dash, is that just the dash bulb?

I'm just trying to figure out what to order, so I can do it all in one parts order...

Any advise from a lighting overhaul veteran would be appreciated...I'm looking to get everything in working order without tearing things apart too bad, this is not a resto-truck.

Thanks in advance,
Tim

[Captkaos]

If you have any bulbs out the dash lights won't come on and the ones that are working generally won't blink.

Are you wanting a new harness?

[beastie_3]

The dash turn signal indicator could be the bulb or something wrong with the circuit board on the back of the gauges.

A bad turn signal bulb wont make the other bulb flash slower. It would make it flash faster.

As long as the wiring is in good shape, and not hacked up with splices and butt connectors etc, try fixing the sockets first. Its a cheap route, rather than replacing all the wiring. Grounds are monsters also.


As for getting stuff in working order without tearing things apart, welcome to the hobby. Its addictive. Ive been involved in many minor projects which have led to new ideas while involved in something else.

[Thermal Izod]

Yea, I figured that some of the dash light issues would clear up if I straightened out the exterior issues...What would a harness cost me anyway?  As far as I can see, the existing wiring is like the rest of the truck, all origional but un-tampered with and in good shape overall...

[Thermal Izod]

OK, I swapped out sockets and bulbs, and that problem is fixed.  All of my exterior lights work as advertized...my last little issue would be my interior lights.  I mean, the courtesy lights.  I can't get the overhead/dome, or the under dash light to work.  They did when I bought the truck.  I've checked the fuse, it's good.  I've also swapped out those 2 bulbs w/ no change.  Any other ideas?  Thanks guys...

[Jesse Walter]

Check your headlight switch.  I'm pretty sure it controls your interior lights.

[Thermal Izod]

now the dash lights work when I turn on the exterior lights, but when I turn the knob to turn on the overhead, or open a door there is nothing...Could that be the switch still?

[Captkaos]

did you check them for power?

[Grover 1]

Check the little switch on the inside of the door jam.  They get rusty on the inside and quit working it's a quick cheap easy fix.