Tail light gremlins

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Hello great and honorable sages of C bodies.
The other day I got a quick flashing fender turn signal on the left side of my ‘68 300’ convertible. I figured this was a symptom of a blown bulb. But after getting back home I realized the brake light was also out on the left side (along with the turn signal and tail lights). Tail lights are also out on the right side, but the brake and turn signal do work over there. Side markers are out on both sides as well.

I was hopeful replacing the bulbs would do the trick, but nothing... so now I need to hunt for the gremlins causing this issue. I do have the service manual and printed copies of the wiring diagrams I am highlighting for this system. Figured I’d post my situation here in the hopes for any additional advice on some Of the biggest culprits.

thanks in advance!
 
Grounds would be my first suspect.

Run a jumper wire from a good ground to the light housings (alligator clips will do) or better yet, the bulb sockets (if you can get to them) to check.
 
Always appreciate your input @Big_John

I can’t quite say what it was, but I did get the brake and blinker lights back. I kept fiddling with the bulb holders and kept telling my son to step on the brake pedal then presto, they worked.

I don’t have the tail lights or side marker lights back yet, but if I am reading the wiring diagram correctly, that might just be a fuse. I just LOVE getting under the dash!!
 
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Hello great and honorable sages of C bodies.
The other day I got a quick flashing fender turn signal on the left side of my ‘68 300’ convertible. I figured this was a symptom of a blown bulb. But after getting back home I realized the brake light was also out on the left side (along with the turn signal and tail lights). Tail lights are also out on the right side, but the brake and turn signal do work over there. Side markers are out on both sides as well.

I was hopeful replacing the bulbs would do the trick, but nothing... so now I need to hunt for the gremlins causing this issue. I do have the service manual and printed copies of the wiring diagrams I am highlighting for this system. Figured I’d post my situation here in the hopes for any additional advice on some Of the biggest culprits.

thanks in advance!
new switch time try to get a NOS ONE but u will need the a parts book, what yr is it?i have a 72 cd but its 72 only
 
Thanks Marty! It is a 1968. The brake light and turn signal went out again on the driver side yesterday. I am starting to come to the conclusion it is the switch too. Hopefully just the headlamp switch because I know how to get to that, if it is the turn signal switch I am going to have to figure out how to pull the column apart (and put it back together). It is a telescoping/tilt column too. I haven’t seen any switches for that one yet. :-(
 
If its the turn signal switch, Murry Park may have one. I had gremlins with the brake and turn signals until I replaced the broken switch. Taking the column and wiring apart was a pain tho.
 
If its the turn signal switch, Murry Park may have one. I had gremlins with the brake and turn signals until I replaced the broken switch. Taking the column and wiring apart was a pain tho.
Y would u buy aUSED wiring anything u may get the same problem u have now. what u need is a nos one . for that u need a parts book or the parts cd . then with the factory part # go to the dealership to c if it has been upgraded . then they can run it on a parts locator ,& c if any dealer has it in stock if not there then with the new part # go to parts voice
 
I’ve got the’68 parts book but I’d put a call into Shee-mar as they’re making that unit again. I’d send your headlight switch and panel dimmer off to @Devinism for a rebuild.
 
Hello great and honorable sages of C bodies.
The other day I got a quick flashing fender turn signal on the left side of my ‘68 300’ convertible. I figured this was a symptom of a blown bulb. But after getting back home I realized the brake light was also out on the left side (along with the turn signal and tail lights). Tail lights are also out on the right side, but the brake and turn signal do work over there. Side markers are out on both sides as well.

I was hopeful replacing the bulbs would do the trick, but nothing... so now I need to hunt for the gremlins causing this issue. I do have the service manual and printed copies of the wiring diagrams I am highlighting for this system. Figured I’d post my situation here in the hopes for any additional advice on some Of the biggest culprits.

thanks in advance!
Your running lights, and tail lights, are on a separate circuit than the turn signals.
For the running / tail lamps go to the fuse box (my neck popped just thinking about it! ) first. Make sure you have power on both ends of the fuse (switch in both park, and headlights on positions). The '68 Chrysler headlight switch is much more dependable than the '67 (and SOME early '68s) version.
As for the turn signals..... Could be the t/s switch. Could even be the emergency flasher switch, or both flasher units. An easy fix may be to shoot some WD40 into the flasher switch and operate it a few times. I don't think it will work from the front, because of the design of the chrome knob.
 
Your running lights, and tail lights, are on a separate circuit than the turn signals.
For the running / tail lamps go to the fuse box (my neck popped just thinking about it! ) first. Make sure you have power on both ends of the fuse (switch in both park, and headlights on positions). The '68 Chrysler headlight switch is much more dependable than the '67 (and SOME early '68s) version.
As for the turn signals..... Could be the t/s switch. Could even be the emergency flasher switch, or both flasher units. An easy fix may be to shoot some WD40 into the flasher switch and operate it a few times. I don't think it will work from the front, because of the design of the chrome knob.
true but it still runs through the t/s they have done that for yrs . i know from experience y have a bad t/s switch '
 
Thank you all for your guidance. I did get an NOS head light switch today. I fear it could be the turn signal switch too. I have a telescoping/tilt column. I found a shee-mar ts switch on RockAuto for about $320 (yikes). Anyone know of a less expensive option out there?
 
Thanks Marty! It is a 1968. The brake light and turn signal went out again on the driver side yesterday. I am starting to come to the conclusion it is the switch too. Hopefully just the headlamp switch because I know how to get to that, if it is the turn signal switch I am going to have to figure out how to pull the column apart (and put it back together). It is a telescoping/tilt column too. I haven’t seen any switches for that one yet. :-(
do u have a factory service manual u will need it + it may take a mopar only tool to get to it (lock plate tool ?is it a tilt &telescoping column? its in section 19 of my 72 chrysler fatory service manual try ebay or 1968 CHRYSLER & IMPERIAL Full Line Body, Chassis & Electrical Service Manual

book here is the cd u will need a real computer & not just a phone to use the cd 1968 CHRYSLER & IMPERIAL Full Line Body, Chassis & Electrical Service Manual CD
1968 Chrysler Imperial 300 New Yorker Shop Service Repair Manual Book Guide OEM | eBay
1968 MOPAR( DODGE/PLYMOUTH/CHRYSLER) BODY, CHASSIS, TEXT PARTS BOOK ON CD | eBay
vintage rare 68 1968 mopar chrysler dodge plymouth parts book a-body b-body OEM | eBay

u may find a service book on line but beware & shure its right for yur car many generis a lot . i may be able to scan pages from my 72 book for u it will give u a idea of what u have ahead of u now make sure u dont have a broken or pinched witre in the body . did u put carpert in it before this started for u?
 
Thank you all for your guidance. I did get an NOS head light switch today. I fear it could be the turn signal switch too. I have a telescoping/tilt column. I found a shee-mar ts switch on RockAuto for about $320 (yikes). Anyone know of a less expensive option out there?
Did you call Shee Mar? The switch isn’t cheap but there’s no alternative if you need it.
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS DS165 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} Info

SHEE-MAR SM107T {#2925506} Info
w/ Tilt & Telescopic Wheel; Saginaw Built



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$322.9


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$9.81
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Add to Cart
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS DS165

SHEE-MAR SM107T {#2925506}
w/ Tilt & Telescopic Wheel; Saginaw Built

thanks for the links Marty. I saw that aftermarket headlight switch too, but couldn’t quite figure out how that one would replace the original one. Based on the picture, I don’t think it would fit in the same location on the dash.

looks like I gotta bite the bullet on the TS switch. I found a source for an original one as well, but it was even more expensive and I’d rather have new plastic at the cams than the 50 year old plastic in the original one (one of my canceling cams broke last year).

thanks again for the help!
 
I am studying the manual. From what I can tell I’ll need a couple of pulling tools. One for the steering wheel and one for the tilt cover.

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anyone have any pics of what they’ve used? Anything similar available from harbor freight??
 
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