Turn Lights problem

**Dave Nayak** · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 01:30 PM

The right turn signal lights won't flash when the headlights are on. Left turn lights are ok. Does anyone have a clue?
Appreciate your help, as always.

**papajam** · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 01:38 PM

I'd wager that it's a bad ground at the right rear tail light assembly. I'm not sure exactly how the front lights are configured but the problem could be a bad ground there as well. I'll have a look at the wiring diagram when I get home.

alfajim · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 01:38 PM

Check the grounds for both the headlight and turnsignal.

**Roadtrip** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 01:52 PM

Those taillight grounds are notorious for being poor. With a car as old as a '78, it's time to spend a few hours going all over the car and cleaning and retightening all the grounds.

**papajam** · #5 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 06:09 PM

Hmmmm. Three responses in 14 minutes all mention bad grounds. Roadtrip has it right; servicing all the electrical connections periodically will pretty much eliminate the reputation Alfas have for electrical quirks.

**Dave Nayak** · #6 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 10:41 PM

WOW! what a quick response.
Thank you Papajam, Roadtrip and Alfajim.
You guys are just awesome.

I'll check ground connections at the tail end but I don't know where the rest of ground wires are.

Do you have electrical diagram? I checked some of the diagrams on this site but couldn't find one for '78 spider.

Greatly appreciate.

**Roadtrip** · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 10:53 PM

1. Check the nuts that hold the rear tail lamp assemblies to the body. You'll see several ground wires for the tail lamps and side markers.

2. Check the negative battery cable where it attaches to the body. That should be brushed clean on both surfaces and then tightened.

3. The fuel supply pump has a ground wire that attaches to the bodywork (remove right rear wheel and you'll see it. That area get a lot of corrosion, so I'll bet that ground is pretty bad off too. Remember, that fuel supply pump needs it's full monty of voltage to produce enough pressure for the injection pump. All connections there should be clean and tight.

4. There are two ground connections in the top front of the radiator area.

There are numerous grounds in the dashboard area.