Any electrical gurus out there???

My Vintage Speedster has an odd problem. When the headlights are one, my right turn signal does not function at all. I get a brief solid green light in the guage and then nothing. When the headlights are off, it functions just fine......
Any ideas?????
Thanks!!!

that is a wierd one. This is all guess work. It is possible that your turn signal circuit is acting as a ground to your headlights. This could happen if your headlight circuit is connected to the twelve volt supply of your signal. This would alow the turn signal circuit to operate as long as the head lights were off. when the lights are turned on the head light current seeks ground through the R signal bulb. So look for ground for each circuit. Look for the usual suspicious signs; breaks, corrosion, crossed wires?
If you have a schematic that relates to your VS see where common connections may be.
When tracing the ground for continuity from the head lights check from the bulb socket to the car frame. If established, remove the turn signal bulb and see if it is still there. If the ground for the headlights is no longer there, establish a separate ground.
Radio shack has a decent digital volt/ohn meter for 35 or 40$ that can aide in tracing continuity and voltage.
That about all I can think of right now. Other than visa versa with the circuits but go the described way first.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for a VS? VW trends has a great article in the current issue about VW wiring, but from the checking I did, it seems to have a lot a variations from what I have in my car. It sure would be a great thing to have with my manuals if one is available.
John H.
2000 VS

Thanks for the replies!!
What's really odd is it used to work just fine with the headlights on and then over a period of a week it got worse and worse to the point that the signal doesn't work at all now with the lights on. Now, as of today, my right signal isn't working at all. I HATE electrical issues!!!! Argh!!!!

Definately check the grounds and the wiring to the both the turn indicator and the headlight. Is it just staying on or not flashing? Maybe try replacing the flasher. I'd also start by checking the fuse connections.

Hi,
I've had strange things like you've described happen to my VSpeedster.
It usually happens when I'm doing adding a guage or doing some wiring and I short something out that blows a fuse. With a fuse out, everything goes haywire.
So...make sure your fuses are all good and that the wires that connect to the fuse box are all attached and making contact.

Greg B

It,s a lose ground at the headlight or the rear.OR also check the pin contacts in the front and rear bulb sockets .

barry's right. its a weak ground. make yourself a jumper wire,
10' would be nice. properly ground one end [to battery] or
other good ground. turn on your headlights and blinkers,
take the loose [ungrouded end] of your jumper and touch the
ground at your blinker, hdlight etc....
when you touch the weak ground this system will start to work,
clean,repair or resecure. your done.=bruce
p.s. good luck

I have also had Problems with the aftermaket tail lamps in my V.S.thebulbs are wobbley in the sockets, I supose I will have to spring for set of factory one,s I already have the front one's and they are very good Quality parts ,solid brass pins and construction with a nice chrome job on them and the have that distintive german precision Quality .I took one look at the vintage and was ready to toss them out, The first time I layed eyes on them. The tail lamps have so far proven to be not much better. asnd I have't even had the car on the road

I've replaced the rear tail light/turn signal assembly with new, no go. Still has the same problem. I noticed last night that the turn signal will work somewhat sporadically when the RPMs are revving pretty high. When just idling at a stop or at low RPM, nothing at all.
Dumb question, but where are the fuse boxes on the Vintage vehicles?? I'm going to start eliminating the possibilities...
Thanks to all!!!!

Now that sounds like a bad flasher. But Just add a ground,to be sure it won,t hurt to have a extra one here and there after all its a glass car.
I am not sure where V.S. puts there fuse box, most likely under the dash ,on the same side as the rear harness, trace it,, the harness should lead you right to the box.
I did flip my fuse box over and cut a hole in the trunk wall it made it acessable from the trunk.

Found the problem. Ground wire on right rear turn signal. Wasn't securely mounted to the steel frame of the car. Removed it, scuffed the area it was mounted to, remounted it and it works perfect!!!
Thanks to all who replied!!!!!
Aaron

I finally found a real good cure for the loose bulbs in the tailights. I tried Stoddards and three other vinders trying to get a better light,they all carry the same ones and have had the same complaints. So to the salvage yards I went. I found some real good brass bulb sockets with brass spring pins in the school bus light parts bin. and they were not to hard to adapt to the teardrop base.and most important no loose bulbs that fail to work .
I needed to get this out of the way before, I do the steering colum change to the 65 bus tutn switch. It all works right as rain.

(Message Edited 9/30/2002 5:36:50 PM)