'73 Electrical Gremlin: Parking Lights

[kugelfischer]

I'm having an issue that makes no sense to me and hoping that the collective wisdom of the board can help.
The drivers side front parking lights on my '73 are not working.
Here's the funny part, the bulbs are good (swapped to other side, and used a conductance to check), and the bulb sockets are reading 12V with my meter (when turned on). The turn signal bulb even flashes if turned on by either the stalk or the hazard switch.

Any idea what's going on here?

Kent

[techweenie]

If the parking light circuit doesn't have a good ground, the current will sometimes use another route.

First rule of Light Club: check your ground!

[kugelfischer]

Would a bad ground affect the "constant on" lights, but not the flasher?

[techweenie]

Not logically, but I've seen it happen.

[kugelfischer]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Not logically, but I've seen it happen.

I've learned never to trust logic in these situations.

[ossiblue]

You may want to do a quick check on the head light switch connections. I inadvertently disconnected a wire from the switch while replacing my ignition switch and the result was no drivers side parking lights, just like you. It's easy to see as the wire would be hanging loosely.

[Porboynz]

When you measure 12v with the meter it can be a very low current 12v, not enough to run a bulb. Put the bulb back in and then check the 12v. Usually a grounding problem, easy enough to get a battery jump cable and make a temporary earth from the body somewhere to the light housing to check.

[haycait911]

see above.


IT'S ALWAYS A GROUNDING PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


well, almost always.