AMC Eagle Den Forum
The Shop => Question and Answer => Topic started by: ybslow on September 28, 2021, 10:32:05 PM
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Newbie question. My front driver side turn signal isn't working. Bought a new bulb but when I went to change it was not clear on how to access it. Any tips or do I need to take the whole front end apart? >:(
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Welcome to the Den! I hope you have many enjoyable miles with your Eagle!
To change the turn signal bulb, you have to first remove the trim around the headlight/turn signal. There are like 5-7 screws that have to come out, a couple right above the headlight, a couple below the headlight and maybe some that go through the grill. Once you remove those screws and pull the trim off, there should be one more screw in the middle of the turn signal housing. Remove that, and you'll be able to pull that housing out, along with the wire for the turn signal. Twist the wire (I think there is a plastic piece on it (or the housing) that you'll need to push down in order to be able to turn it). Then you should be able to replace the bulb, and reassemble it opposite of how you took it all apart.
The Technical Service Manual for Eagles is also included in the Eaglepedia and will give you info on just about anything you'll need to do on your Eagle.
Good luck!
http://amceaglesden.com/guide/1982_%26_1983_TSM
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Welcome. Good luck with your Eagle. Vangremlin is right. It is fairly easy. Just need a Phillips screwdriver. Takes me about 10 minutes to have both headlight bezels and signal lights out.
Also, those plastic pieces are usually quite brittle. I repaired mine with ABS plumbing cement. The tabs broke off both units.
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Another thought is to just go easy on the screws for the bezel and plastic turn signal light fixture, especially when putting them back in and tightening them up. I've cracked a bezel before by overtightening and good used replacement bezels are starting to command higher prices, if you can get it shipped to you without arriving smashed.
While you're in there, it may be a good idea to replace the headlight aiming screws (Dorman Help! 42122) as they are cheap plastic and very easily break when/if you're trying to adjust your headlights.
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Great help and advice from the den. I got the new bulb in there. I will attach pics in case someone searches this thread in the future.
Some follow-up questions:
1) My plastic clips were shot and the previous owner used cut-off pieces of a pencil to align the lights. Where can I buy new plastic clips?
2) So the bulb works but the light does not blink when the headlights are on, only in the off position. The right side and left read all work all the time. Only the front driver side does not work when the headlights are on. Makes no sense to me. Despite the old bulb looking toast, I wonder if this issue existed before I changed the bulb as I only tested it with the headlights on.
Thanks again for the tips!
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1. Dorman 42124 (or 42122 as previously mentioned by djm) is what you need. Parts stores can get it, might even have it. I took out the headlight bucket and fished the clip in from the backside.
2. It sounds like a possible ground problem to me. With the headlight off and the marker/turn on, check to see if the headlight very dimly lights up. If it does, the turn signal ground is bad and grounding through the headlight. It can only do this when the headlight is off though. All the front lights have grounds that go to the same splice, so when the corrosion builds up, weird things can happen. The easiest way to see if this is it is to cut the ground wire (black wire) for your problem bulb and give it its own ground right to some fresh metal. If that doesn't work, you're going to need a multimeter. :)
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I’ll check as to what the doorman part number is. I think I have one new in package in my garage. They are quite common and most parts stores should have them in stock. They are the same as a GM unit used prior to ‘90. Last I checked Auto Zone and Advance Auto had them and that was in the last month or so.
As for the plastic tabs on the signal lights, if they are broken ABS plumbing cement works great to repair them. I used it by building it up layer after layer then used a tiny drill to you know drill it out. Don’t use a drill, just the bit by hand.
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1. Dorman 42124 (or 42122 as previously mentioned by djm) is what you need. Parts stores can get it, might even have it. I took out the headlight bucket and fished the clip in from the backside.
2. It sounds like a possible ground problem to me. With the headlight off and the marker/turn on, check to see if the headlight very dimly lights up. If it does, the turn signal ground is bad and grounding through the headlight. It can only do this when the headlight is off though. All the front lights have grounds that go to the same splice, so when the corrosion builds up, weird things can happen. The easiest way to see if this is it is to cut the ground wire (black wire) for your problem bulb and give it its own ground right to some fresh metal. If that doesn't work, you're going to need a multimeter. :)
With the headlight off and the marker/turn on the headlight is still lit up normally. Of note the signal light in question is brighter at all times than the other one that is working despite both having new bulbs. Any additional thoughts?