<VV> Gremlins!

[Charles Fregeau]

Ray,

We had similar gremlins in our old 62 700 Club Coupe.

One day our left turn signal stopped blinking.  It would come on but would
not blink.  The EM's (don't know about the later ones, may be similar) used
a ground return for turn signals.  That is, the hot wire came to the turn
signal socket, which was grounded to the body with screws.  The body itself
competed the return path.  What had happened is the body had rotted right
where the screws from the rear turn signal fixture bit into the body.  Hence
no ground, and no blink.  In those long ago days, we put in bigger screws to
bite into good metal.

Charles Fregeau

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Ray Rodriguez III
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 2:51 PM
To: Virtual Vairs
Subject: <VV> Gremlins!

That is the cause... I'm sure of it!

((FYI- I made this same post on Corvairforum.com, but no answer thus far so
I thought I'd ask here.. if you read it there it is the same text))

Two days ago the right turn signal stopped working. The switch feels fine
but nothing happens. I checked at the sockets and the signal wire just stays
grounded when I turn on the switch as opposed to the working one which makes
and breaks ground. Based on these checks I'm fairly certain the problem is
not in the sockets... likely the switch.

I pulled into a gas station 10 minutes from home just now (in the 63' Monza)
and turned the key off, nothing happened. I switched it back and forth, felt
ok but no reaction from the car. 

I got out, filled up, got back in, and turned left out of the parking lot.
The fan/gen light came on (maybe it was already on dimly and got bright). I
pulled into a parking lot and checked the belt..... it was fine. I pulled
back out and then observed that any time I turned the left turn signal on
the Gen light got bright (dim the rest of the time) and the wipers stopped!
Turning the switch to run had the same effect, in "off" the gen light dimmed
and wipers resumed. Around the same time I noticed the steering wheel
squeaking when I turn which it never did before... making me think maybe
part of the problem goes back to the signal that died the other day without
explanation. 

Also the headlight switch was on this whole time due to rain, but I observed
when I got home that I had no lights at all. No burning smell or anything.

I got home, pulled the coil wire off, disconnected the negative battery
cable, and came upstairs to write this! Here I sit... I figure the ignition
switch is the most likely culprit but not sure how to check it (I dont have
any other early model switches). 

I'm going to look over the diagrams, but I doubt they will help. From what
little I know these kind of "gremlins" are usually ground related. 

I do not have any EM literature either.

Thanks!

Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez III
Lake Ariel, PA
66' Corsa 140 coupe
63' Monza PG (winter driver)
65' Corsa 140 coupe  (under construction)
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