turn signal indicators dimly lit

[cknoll]

Hello, I have been having a small issue with my turn signal indicators being very dimly lit when I first start my car. it goes away after a few minutes of driving . I have a '77 911 with the external voltage reg. It has a perma-tune ignition unit (waiting for it to show signs of failing before I replace with an MSD unit) with an Ignitor Electronic ignition installed in the distributor. I drive the car about once a week. In-between driving I disconnect the negative strap from the battery.

- Is this simply an issue of the battery having a low charge?
- Is it an indicator of future problems to come from the Voltage Regulator or alternator?
- Is it a sign of some other wire connection starting to fail?
- Or should I leave well enough alone and simply enjoy the ride.

I should also say I have inspected the ground straps between the alternator and engine as well as transmission and body and everything looks fine. The resistance is consistent at about .2 Ohms between the negative terminal and the body and the engine and the body.

Thank you,
Chris

[tazzieman]

Moisture finds its way into the turn signal light housing (esp if there is a small crack in the lens or the rubber seal is dry and brittle). The bulb to terminal connection gets corroded to varying degrees. Especially at the rear , the terminals contacting the bulb may lose their springiness or wear to the point where contact is reduced. Some people advocate soldering blobs of solder onto the bulb to build them up ; I have pulled the terminals apart and pried them back to position as part of a full refurbish. (which included renewing old and hard/corroded earth-to-light box wires)

I suggest opening and inspecting one of the weak light boxes (remove lenses) and carefully cleaning the contacts and noting any means for moisture ingress as you proceed.

Report back what you find. The spade terminals should also be inspected ; afer many years they are often in poor condition, in particular if you suffer salty roads.

One explanation for the lights improving as you drive is that the heat in the bulbs expands the metal to better meet the "electron receiving depot" of the copper contacts.

Installing a voltmeter allows you to keep an eye on the alternator. How old is the battery?