Dim rear turn signals???

[Frank Rizzo]

I have 89+ tails.

Does anyone else have a problem with the rear turn signals being too dim???

Here's the story.

Last year in the summer, I was driving to work. I go to pull in the driveway of my workplace, so I move as far over to the yellow line as possible, it is a one lane road. All of the sudden I hear brakes locking up and a guy screaming YOUR SIGNALS DON'T WORK!!!!!!. I pull in, get out and sure enough they ARE working. So I told the guy he was number one with a few choice words. I just figured the guy was legally blind. Then, I stopped driving my car to work.

Now, fast forward to yesterday. I was driving home and my mother was behind me. Later on that day, she tells me that my signals BARELY work. So, again I get out and look. The sun was directly shining on my tails and holy shit, I could barely see them.

There is no corrosion on the bulb harnesses and the bulbs are brand new.

What is the problem here? Is this a common problem? I searched, but only came up with 89 tails for sale.

 

[hottscennessey]

I don't have any input to what the problem might be, but I have an idea that might help.

Check out http://www.superbrightleds.com/ and pick up some an LED bulb to replace the factory bulb, being LED's I'm sure they'll be much brighter. They make them Pn'P for most automotive bulbs so it shouldn't take but a minute and could give you really good results.

 

[shaeff]

I would check for corrosion in the lamp failure box, and at the connections into the bulb holders.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

I would check for corrosion in the lamp failure box

Thanks.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

There is some corrosion on the pins. Not much though.

Could this be my problem??

 

[Zumtizzle]

Yes, You Can Use Sprite, Contact Clearer (DeoxIT From Radioshack is best, but you can use CRC Contact Cleaner from Wallmart or Autozone.), and wire brush too.

If I were you, and this is common for a rainy area open it up and desolder/resolder every connection.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

Hey, thanks for the tips.

Sorry about the other post, I tend to throw down at the drop of a hat.

 

[Zumtizzle]

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58560

You May Want to just take them out and clean them. I haven't opened my tails on this car yet, but i'm sure this will work.

 

[Zumtizzle]

Sorry about the other post, I tend to throw down at the drop of a hat.

No Problem, Us California folks are all douchebags.

If all else fails try Lemon Juice, and spray it with water and let it dry overnight.

 

[Poodles]

more than likely it's because the clear part on your lense have tons of spider cracks...

 

[Frank Rizzo]

OK I finally got around to messing with it today.

I put the light failure sensor back in with dielectric grease in the connector.

I try the signals, the left rear works, the right rear doesn't work anymore but they click normal.

I take the bulbs out to check for corrosion and put them back in.

And now my rear turn signals do not work at all.

I got the JDM tyte fast turn signals now and can't get rid of them.

Brake lights and reverse lights work perfect. Front signals work. Parking lights work perfect. All lights work perfect EXCEPT BOTH rear turn signals.

Tail light failure lamp is on when key on engine off. Tail light failure lamp goes out when I start engine and it is running.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

Yeah huh?

So I guess I have the experts stumped?

 

[shaeff]

The 6 pin connector for all the rear lights, I checked the left side for voltage at the Green wire with the black stripe with the signal flashing 5 times a second. I did the same with the right side, with the Green wire with the yellow stripe. I have voltage at both of those connectors when I am testing them with the signal flashing.

That's a start.

My bulb holders are rusty, but not rotted and the spring still works on both sides, they are not seized. The contact area where the wire attaches to is in mint condition. The wires from the connector to the bulb holders on both sides are mint also.

Is it flaky, scale type rust? If so, the continuity of the bulb holder could be compromised.

I'm getting .2 ohms of resistance from the bulb holder contact point, to the terminal of the connector that would plug into the main harness. .2ohms on the left and on the right, so I know the bulb holders are good.

Well, I suppose you can forget the above.

I hooked the harness back up and checked continuity of the ground circuit. 7 ohms of resistance between the bulb base to the body ground on both sides.

Why would the fronts work but not the rears?

I'm thinking the light failure sensor is bad?

That's kindof what it's starting to sound like to me.


As for the fusible link, you have to split the fuse box in half to reveal the underside, as if you were going to de-pin it. Once you do that, it'll be obvious where those bolts are.

 

[RazoE]

I replaced my 100 amp fuse. You have to unbolt the fuse box, then flip it over, and unbolt the BIG pins from the wires.

I think this applies to 89+ supras, because pre 89's had a jumper wire or something, I forget.

If you're getting ricer flash (aka JDM flash, fast flash), and you know your bulbs are good, then it may be the wires themselves.

Also, for LED's, don't buy the cheap PEP BOYS 1156 bulbs because they'll shine only at night, due to the sideways position of our turn signals.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

Thanks guys.

 

[annoyingrob]

I had a cop tell me that once.

"You didn't signal when you changed lanes back there"
"Yes I did"
"Oh, maybe I couldn't see the lights because of the sun. That's a nice car you have there!"

Maybe it's just natural.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

OK I got fed up and tested the whole turn signal circuit. Every millimeter of wire checks out mint.

I tested my lamp failure sensor also. It works mint. But I have discovered, through no help of this forum, that the lamp failure sensor does not in any way, shape, or form, have anything to do with the turn signals.

I need all new rear light sub assemblies for both sides, my bulb holders are just too rusty.

Can't go to the local junkyard because I got banned for being too smart.

Thanks again.

 

[annoyingrob]

banned from the JY? Explain.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

Well, I'm sorry too for figuring out that the lamp failure sensor has jack and shit to do with the turn signals.

I just find it odd a guy with an orange name would post something like that, and a piss-on like me proves you dead wrong.

 

[Facime]

Being a Mod doesnt make him the end all be all of Supra knowledge. In fact I would be willing to bet that in some cases it wouldnt matter if the mod knew ANYTHING about the hobby in question. Sometimes mods are hired for other reasons. Some of the mods on this board are mods over certains sections and are the first to admit that they not experts in other other areas. If you take someones advice simply because they have an orange tag then you are an idiot. There are blue tag guys that have specialties and if you needed help with the wiring you should have discussed it with JetJock. You two should hit it off...:nono: