Question: 1971 Turn Signal Help

FreePourer · 10-08-2008

OK so forgive my 1st couple of post here...I am not familiar with the Opel yet but soon hope to be up to speed.

My 1st question is...the turn signals in the back work fine. Are there supposed to be turn signals in the front of a 1971 Opel GT? The side lights go on with the head lams...but they do not blink when the turn signal is on...any help would be appreciated.

- James

namba209 · 10-08-2008

Simple question to be answered. But not a stupid question for one not familiar with the GT. The front turn signal lights are housed in the front parking lights below the headlights and inside the grill work. The curved lights above the front bumper are parking lights only. BTW, for any electrical problems, your best bet is to acquire a DESTEC schematic for the GT from J. J., Wheatley, (DESTEC), a member on the site. Before you get totally involved in the electrical operations, be sure to double check the headlight wiring in the rotating buckets. The headlights are the only non-fused circuits in the GT and crumbling insulation of those circuits has caused major electrical fires. HTH.

rrossjr · 10-08-2008

Originally Posted by FreePourer

OK so forgive my 1st couple of post here... James

Welcome to OGT.com!

Ron in Indy

FreePourer · 10-09-2008

I am finding out that there is a custom body piece on the Opel and those blinkers were taken out. What is the law on front blinkers...anyone know?

BQS4 · 10-09-2008

Can you post a few pictures?

Jeepsbeme · 10-09-2008

Since turn signals are a Federal safety requirment, if you really want to meet the letter of the law you'd have to try to track down the FMVSS 108 requirement for 1971 vehicles since the FMVSS requirements may change slightly from year to year.

The current 2008 FMVSS requirement (summarized) calls for:

- two amber lamps on or near the front at the same level as far apart as practical

- The height from the road surface shall not be less than 15 inches nor more than 83 inches.

The best approach may be to simply contact your local police department or research your State's motor vehicle laws on-line.

FreePourer · 10-09-2008

Thank you again eeryone for your help...Here are some pics as requested.

Jeepsbeme · 10-09-2008

Since turn signals are a Federal safety requirment, if you really want to meet the letter of the law you'd have to try to track down the FMVSS 108 requirement for 1971 vehicles since the FMVSS requirements may change slightly from year to year.

The current 2008 FMVSS requirement (summarized) calls for:

- two amber lamps on or near the front at the same level as far apart as practical

- The height from the road surface shall not be less than 15 inches nor more than 83 inches.

The best approach may be to simply contact your local police department or research your State's motor vehicle laws on-line.

CDN OpelNut · 10-09-2008

Originally Posted by FreePourer

Thank you again eeryone for your help...Here are some pics as requested.

SInce that air dam is a fairly common addition, you should be able to find photos of the correct application of signals. The air dam is designed for square lamps and it would not surprise me if you found the wires taped off inside the nose of the car.

BQS4 · 10-09-2008

Well, there's a way to convert the curved front lights into turn signals. Those openings in the airdam are for driving lights.

namba209 · 10-09-2008

You've got the Lenk Tuning hood from Germany, too. Someone had an idea about customizing the car and had a fair start on it. As for the front turn signals, you could go the quick and dirty, plus temporary and find some trailer lights with the dual element bulbs. Build a couple of temporary brackets and sitck them in the outboard openings of the front air dam. Just to be legal. Or you could remove the sockets in the curved lenses above the bumpers and stick a dual element socket in its place and use them for tun signals. Only drawback with that, is, hard to see them from the other side of the car. They're only visible from that quarter of the car, if you get my drift.

CDN OpelNut · 10-09-2008

The air dam is likely from OGTS and according to their page, takes Porche 944 lights. Hopefully, you could find signals in this size if you need and start from there.

10-08-2008	#1 (permalink)
FreePourer Bartender with an Opel GT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 8 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	1971 Turn Signal Help OK so forgive my 1st couple of post here...I am not familiar with the Opel yet but soon hope to be up to speed. My 1st question is...the turn signals in the back work fine. Are there supposed to be turn signals in the front of a 1971 Opel GT? The side lights go on with the head lams...but they do not blink when the turn signal is on...any help would be appreciated. - James

10-09-2008	#4 (permalink)
FreePourer Bartender with an Opel GT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 8 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Thank you thank you... I am finding out that there is a custom body piece on the Opel and those blinkers were taken out. What is the law on front blinkers...anyone know?

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10-08-2008	#2 (permalink)
namba209 5,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 5,921 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Simple question to be answered. But not a stupid question for one not familiar with the GT. The front turn signal lights are housed in the front parking lights below the headlights and inside the grill work. The curved lights above the front bumper are parking lights only. BTW, for any electrical problems, your best bet is to acquire a DESTEC schematic for the GT from J. J., Wheatley, (DESTEC), a member on the site. Before you get totally involved in the electrical operations, be sure to double check the headlight wiring in the rotating buckets. The headlights are the only non-fused circuits in the GT and crumbling insulation of those circuits has caused major electrical fires. HTH.

10-09-2008	#5 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 4,904 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Can you post a few pictures?

10-09-2008	#6 (permalink)
Jeepsbeme Opeler Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 23 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Since turn signals are a Federal safety requirment, if you really want to meet the letter of the law you'd have to try to track down the FMVSS 108 requirement for 1971 vehicles since the FMVSS requirements may change slightly from year to year. The current 2008 FMVSS requirement (summarized) calls for: - two amber lamps on or near the front at the same level as far apart as practical - The height from the road surface shall not be less than 15 inches nor more than 83 inches. The best approach may be to simply contact your local police department or research your State's motor vehicle laws on-line.

10-09-2008	#8 (permalink)
Jeepsbeme Opeler Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 23 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Since turn signals are a Federal safety requirment, if you really want to meet the letter of the law you'd have to try to track down the FMVSS 108 requirement for 1971 vehicles since the FMVSS requirements may change slightly from year to year. The current 2008 FMVSS requirement (summarized) calls for: - two amber lamps on or near the front at the same level as far apart as practical - The height from the road surface shall not be less than 15 inches nor more than 83 inches. The best approach may be to simply contact your local police department or research your State's motor vehicle laws on-line.

10-09-2008	#10 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 4,904 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Well, there's a way to convert the curved front lights into turn signals. Those openings in the airdam are for driving lights.

10-09-2008	#11 (permalink)
namba209 5,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 5,921 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	You've got the Lenk Tuning hood from Germany, too. Someone had an idea about customizing the car and had a fair start on it. As for the front turn signals, you could go the quick and dirty, plus temporary and find some trailer lights with the dual element bulbs. Build a couple of temporary brackets and sitck them in the outboard openings of the front air dam. Just to be legal. Or you could remove the sockets in the curved lenses above the bumpers and stick a dual element socket in its place and use them for tun signals. Only drawback with that, is, hard to see them from the other side of the car. They're only visible from that quarter of the car, if you get my drift.

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