Turn signal and other light bulb issues [SOLVED]

[Vandrid]

So I just bought my car less then a month ago and I'm starting to find quite a few electrical problems. (Suprise surprise)

I replaced all the bulbs in the car and I still had a few lights out ( mainly the running lights and the rear tail light). I then replaced the fuses and found all the running lights and tail lights now work.

The problem comes with a few things, now my left turn signal blinks both tail lights as well as the turn signal light, however when the lights are on the turn signal doesn't work at all. The right signal works fine. On top of this the reverse lights and hazards are still not working. Not sure if that is related but driving at night is pretty much off the table for now. Any help is welcomed with this problem.

[spider2081]

I would remove the left front signal/parking light buld. Inspect the light socket to be sure the contacts in the socket are not shorted together. If they look ok replace the bulb itself. If one of the filaments breaks it could short to the other and then the parking lights will flash with the signal lights

[profcucchi]

Hi there,

I have a similar issue right now: left turn signal (front and back) works perfectly; whether the head lights are on or off.

My right signal (front) only works when the head lights are off; rear signal works like a charm. Likely a ground issue, so I'll trace it back and see.

[Vandrid]

I would remove the left front signal/parking light buld. Inspect the light socket to be sure the contacts in the socket are not shorted together. If they look ok replace the bulb itself. If one of the filaments breaks it could short to the other and then the parking lights will flash with the signal lights

The parking lights do blink with the left signal if the lights are off, also I just replaced every bulb on the car... all the bulbs work (except reverse...)
I also have noticed the front turn signal is much brighter then the right when they are on but not blinking

[davery]

I would remove the left front signal/parking light buld. Inspect the light socket to be sure the contacts in the socket are not shorted together. If they look ok replace the bulb itself. If one of the filaments breaks it could short to the other and then the parking lights will flash with the signal lights

The parking lights do blink with the left signal if the lights are off, also I just replaced every bulb on the car... all the bulbs work (except reverse...)
I also have noticed the front turn signal is much brighter then the right when they are on but not blinking

I had the same issue. I cleaned the ground on the driver's side in the trunk, but the issue was still there. I finally figured out the grounds were bad on the driver's side circuit board. And since the passenger side ground's run through the driver;s side board, parts of both were not working. I rewired the grounds on the driver's side board and everything works now.

Here is a post about the circuit boards.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35314

[Vandrid]

First of all, thank you all for your help! This community really is awesome.

I found the issue and I feel dumb... the front turn signal bulb I replaced was only a single filament, I checked the working bulb and sure enough, every works. I've got the new bulb on order.

Thank you guys again for your help

[profcucchi]

First of all, thank you all for your help! This community really is awesome.

I found the issue and I feel dumb... the front turn signal bulb I replaced was only a single filament, I checked the working bulb and sure enough, every works. I've got the new bulb on order.

Thank you guys again for your help

You'll notice, as I did, that the simplest solution is likely the solution. And, no, it's not you.

My bulbs are good so I'm tracing a ground this afternoon. Maybe the circuit board.

[spider2081]

I would look at the ground for the right front dual filament bulb. When your lights are on so are your parking lights so power would be applied to the parking light filament The parking light and the signal light share the same ground wire which connects to ground on the passenger fender under the hood, if this connection is bad or if t he light bulb is not making good contact with the socket shell your signal light filiment will have voltage on both sides of the filament. I would clean the socked with a battery terminal brush. Bend the socket to put more tension on the bulbs outer round piece with the little tits on it and check the ground on the passengers fender pod.

[davery]

I would look at the ground for the right front dual filament bulb. When your lights are on so are your parking lights so power would be applied to the parking light filament The parking light and the signal light share the same ground wire which connects to ground on the passenger fender under the hood, if this connection is bad or if t he light bulb is not making good contact with the socket shell your signal light filiment will have voltage on both sides of the filament. I would clean the socked with a battery terminal brush. Bend the socket to put more tension on the bulbs outer round piece with the little tits on it and check the ground on the passengers fender pod.

So am I correct to assume the grounding pod on the driver's side fender serves the driver's side lo/hi beams and markers while the pass side serves the pass side lo/hi beams and markers? Also, you mentioned the ground for the headlights and markers are the same, is this for both lo and hi beams? The reason why I ask is that currently I have hi beams and rear markers, but no lo beams or front markers.

[spider2081]

you mentioned the ground for the headlights and markers are the same, is this for both lo and hi beams?

Yes the headlight bulb has 3 connections, HI beam, lo beam and a common ground for them. The signal/parking light assemble has 3 connections Signal light power, parking light power and a common ground. Both ground are connected to the grounding pod for the side they are on.