Cornering Lights 92 PA

[CCW]

The cornering lights (both) do not work. The bulbs check OK. The sockets and wiring under the hood look OK. Turn signals work OK. A few months back, the lady operator reported smoke coming from the steering column while at a red light stop with turn signals on, and it occurred more than once. Questions: Is the full cornering bulb load current routed up into the steering column or is there an intermediate relay in the cornering light control somewhere? Is there a separate fuse for the cornering lights and where? Could the directional switch carrying the cornering bulb load/current/voltage in the steering column have developed a resistance and burned out without affecting the turn signal circuits?

[Jed Rule]

The full current load for the directionals and cornering lights is routed thru the directional switch. Yes it can get hot enough to burn the contacts or some of the lube. Fuse 18 feeds the directional flasher and the power for the cornering lights. It's a pink wire.

[DioGreer]

I have a similar problem on my 91. The right cornering lamp is fine, but the left one's contacts in the turn signal switch have corroded to the point that the lamp only works when the turn signal is halfway moved. I am not really worried about it, but if you are more picky than me, consider opening up the column and inspecting those contacts. Sometimes with contacts like that, you can brush corrosion off them. If all else fails, try to find a replacement part.

Check a junkyard where a car has low miles and a nice interior but something else terrible that happened to it to make the car be in the junkyard. Lots of good interior parts on those cars

[CCW]

Hi DioGreer,
I hesitate to tear into the 92PA steering column with that big air bag gun sitting there. If I can successfully negotiate that hurtle then I may try what you suggest. While there I would also try to fix the horn buttons where they seem to be trying to leave their moorings and jump out in my lap at any time. The Buick dealer has advised me that I "really don't need the cornering lights that bad".