55 Special trun signal indicators... PLEASE HELP

[Guest nailheadroadster]

Hi Everyone,

Hopefully someone has run into this before and will know how to fix it without spending any money, exerting little to no effort and work flawlessly for the rest of my life... LOL Ready? I have all the lights working on my 55 Special now. But when you turn on either turn signal, the indicator light on the dash (the green arrows) only blink once, then go out. The turn signals are blinking on the outside, just as they should, but the indicator on the dash is sleeping on the job. Each one blinks it's corresponding side but only once and for a split second when first turned on. They even cancel after making a turn. I have traced the wiring, not finding any problems and installed a new turnsignal flasher. What could it be? Has anyone ever run into this before? I have done some electrical work in my life but never run into this situation. The indicator blink is so quick when you first turn the signal on, you 'd miss it if you weren't looking for it. Any thoughts on this would be great appreciated as I and my other car buddies are stumped. Please feel free to email me at dave@mindmagma.com or call me at 904-699-7596.

Also, Im looking for a few parts. I'm looking for an interior rearview mirror bracket(condition not important, I don't even need the mirror just the bracket. Just needs to be restorable). I have a 56 bracket but it's different than the 55 and won't work without cutting the inner windshield trim. AND... I am still looking for the passenger side trim pieces before the rear wheel opening. (the peice right after the door and the round piece that is on the leading edge of the wheel opening)

ANY and ALL help is greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks in advance to all that try to help me out.

Regards, Dave

[Guest imported_56BuickSuper]

I had the same issue with the turn signal indicator lights on the dash. I fixed it by replacing the flasher. I assumed that all 12 volt flashers were the same and that any three prong flasher would work. After I got the correct flasher, everything worked fine. Hope this helps.

Dan

[old-tank]

There is some trim on EBAY that might work.

Willie

[Fr. Buick]

Besides replacing the flasher, try using some electrical contact cleaner on the bulb, socket and where the socket plugs into the dash. Dust and residue can sometime mess up the contact for a good grounding.

As for trim, Ebay will be your best friend... But be sure to also get a parts numer book so you know wht yo are buying - i.e. interchanges between models, bodies and years.

Happy wrenching,

[KAD36]

Agree on trying the flasher especially if it is same observation for left and right. Replaced mine last year - can't remember if the exterior lights worked or not - just remember the indicators "blipping" - replaced the flasher with a heavy duty type used for towing and that fixed it. Whats check the wiring mean? - did you ring it out for continuity, impedance or check for voltage? Be be sure to check the resistance on the + at the socket to the voltage source at the flasher and the - on the socket to chassis ground. The smaller indicator lights draw a lighter current load than the exterior lights, and a high impedance on that path could prevent them from coming on quickly. Make sure connections are clean. Make sure left and right indicator wires are not connected/shorted together anywhere. Dremel tool on low speed and wire wheel work good on the sockets. Good luck.

[Bhigdog]

Any old 12V flasher will not necessarily work, start with the correct one before knocking yourself out chasing gremlins. I may have a bracket, I'll look tomorrow. If so it's your's for the shipping.......Bob.

[Guest nailheadroadster]

Thank you gentleman!! All the input is great!!!

I was out running around today so I decided to swing by Napa and get another flasher as Dan suggested. I should know better by now to try the blinkers before pulling the "new" flasher I had installed a few weeks ago, but I didn't. I put in the flasher I just bought and gave it a try. To my surprise the left blinker worked AND the indicator in the dash worked with it. Then I tried the right blinker and... nothing. Switched back to left again, yep it worked. Back to the right, nothing. Got out to check the right front light and it wasn't working, then went to the back and the light was on solid, no blinking. So, now I've gone from the blinkers working and the indicators not working to the left working perfectly and nothing from the right. LOL Gotta love a good electrical problem dontcha?? I'm gonna check all the bulbs on the right side tomorrow and see if one of em gave up the ghost. Hopefully, that's what is wrong now.

I have been watching the trim on ebay for a few days now, but I am pretty sure the prices will sky rocket within the last minute as they always seem to. Unfortunately, the cash flow here may not allow for this right now. I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask on here. I know someone has to have a garage or attic full of the exact pieces I'm looking for. LOL

Bob - If you have the rear view mirror bracket please feel free to email or contact me. However, the payment for shipping will more than likely be misread by me and for some odd reason more than the shipping cost will arrive for payment. Those darn decimal points are so confusing!

Again, thanks for the ideas and direction guys! Dave

[Bhigdog]

I do have pretty nice one if you want it. Where do I send it?..Bob