Problem with headlights and cruise control

[Russell E Johnson]

OK gang here is the problem.  When I turn on the headlights, the right turn signal light comes on and the signal will not work.  At the same time, the right turn signal will flash bu very very slowly.  And finally, when the headlights are turned on the cruise control quits working.  The lights I understand, bad ground, bad buld, dirty sockets, etc.  What I don't understand is why the cruise control turns off.  My MH is a 1987 Southwind on a piece of chevy P30 chassis.

[John "T" Nordhoff]

 Russell, Ive had a similar problem (cruise stops) several times on several different rigs. I can tell you what caused mine but that don't fix yours until you trace out all the circuits.

 One of the main safety and shut down controls in the cruise control system IS IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON. If there's any open or break or short or mis wiring in anything that has to do with the brake light circuit (or affects the brake light circuit) THE CRUISE DONT WORK. Ive even heard of a brake light bulb burned out or not well grounded shutting down the cruise control 

 You probably already knew all that, but I'm just pointing it out for others to benefit. As you mentioned a bad ground or a bad connection is likely the fault BUT WHERE IS IT??????????????????

Sorry I cant help, it can be a nightmare tracking down a bad ground or a bad connection grrrrrrrrrr

John T

[Rich Thomas]

Hi Russell, I'm not sure if these go back as far as 87 but it sounds like a clock ring problem. Clock ring is a term used for the slip ring contacts for all the Idiot bells and whistles found on your steering wheel. Carbon and ware materials can build up in the groves that separate the contact rings causing a short circuit. Sometimes they just plane ware out. Hope this helps in your case.    

[Lakota Wolf]

I had an issue with turn signals like your explaining. It was the contacts in the steering column along with corroded contacts. It's definitely a grounding problem and a real pain to track it down.

[Russell E Johnson]

We are home again so hopefully tomorrow I can start chasing this problem around, chasing being the operative term for chasing my tail LOL

[Russell E Johnson]

OK, YEAH! Shouts of great joy even. Got this problem figured out with out having to tear out the wiring harness(es).  I disconnected the turn/tail/break/backup light fixtures--yes literally cut the wires holding them--and did some cleaning on each light socket.  spliced them back in again and all the lights work as they are suppose to.  Could not get the springs to expand again as they are rusted and compressed from 29 years of having a bulb in the socket.  So I broke down and ordered 2 new light fixtures from PPL Motorhomes and should be in business.  Yes I was shocked that they were still being made also, but Bargeman is still making that fixture and PPL had the lowest price with shipping, $116 for both.  Not cheap by any means, but far from what they could have been for such an old outfit.  

The electrical gremlins have been defeated, for the time being anyway LOL.  Cheers all.

[Rich Thomas]

Good job Russell, now if we could just figure out how to stop those little buggers(Gremlins) from sucking our wallets dry?

[Russell E Johnson]

Oh isn't that the truth, our MMP (Mobile Money Pit) is not bad, but it has definitely been an expensive year with the furnace, water heater, fridge, generator, and the few little things like these lights.  Was planning on going to AZ in September, but that looks like it is down the tubes.  Our son in AZ got me a pickup and I wanted to get back to AR before winter hits here  again.  Last year set some records for ice and snow and I want a 4X4 to fight it this year.  We were in AZ in February this year and our daughter in AR was trapped in her car for 5 hours before someone came along and pulled her out of the snow drift, not a deep one, but more than her little Mazda could handle.  That is not going to happen again if I can help it.

[Russell E Johnson]

Thank you, Pat, I appreciate those kind words.  I just wish Berniece would like to travel more.  She used to be a goer, but anymore all she wants to do is be at home, doing very little--crocheting, sleeping, etc.  She fixes supper and does 1 load of laundry and calls it a day by 8PM, she usually gets up at noon or 1.  I know her chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia play a big part of her limited time and mobility, but she could do everything in our MMP (Mobile Money Pit) that she does at home and I could do the laundry in a laundromat.  OH Well, Life's a B then you die and with Jesus' forgiveness, life on the other side will be glorious.

[david craft]

`they do make a pigtail...not the curly kind...that is the flat piece with a new spring and wires to rebuild your light base.  it will not fix the rust...but its a cheap option for anyone else reading this.

[Russell E Johnson]

Wish I had know about this, would have saved me at least $100.  Thanks for letting us know.  I should have known that you would have a fix like this and should have contacted you.  Do you have a fix for the expanded sockets on how to get them firmed up again? as that was the other problem I had that I could not figure out how to tighten them up again without making them oval instead of keeping them round.

[Lakota Wolf]

Not to upset ya even more,But when I go junk yarding (walking thru local scrap yards,) I snag misc, sockets and wiring plugs, just cuz I just mite need it later for something,,

Ok,,, I know, I have a problem, Im a HOARDER of sorts,,lol.

You were lucky to be able to find replacements tho,, I couldnt find replacements and opts for replacing with the LED's,,, Took away the *original aspect from the back end of the RV.

[Russell E Johnson]

I don't know for sure, but these may be LED lights, PPL is not clear on that aspect.  The lights are the original shape, which is what I was after.  I can live with LED lights, like I have a choice LOL