JerryB

The turn signals on my 1986 Cutlass Supreme only work when the brake pedal is depressed. The hazard lights work just fine. I've replaced all the light bulbs, 1157 and 1156's. I've even switched bulbs from upper to lower sockets so many times I forgot which is on top, I think it's the 1157.
Has anyone heard of this issue?

Sugar Bear

The 1157 has two contacts as must its socket. The 1156 has one contact as must its socket. Confirm the bulbs are in correctly.

After confirming the bulbs are in correctly engage and disengage the hazard flashers a few times. If this fails I think you're heading into the steering column to replace the turn signal switch.

JerryB

Sugar Bear...YOU NAILED IT!
I went to check the sockets and all four NEED an 1157 bulb! I don't know how the 1156s got involved but it was probably when I had the car painted a couple months ago and they replaced the old tail light housing with new ones that I bought online. I've had issues since I got the car home, and now I know why. Thank you again!

(They also replaced my old non-working power antenna and the new one doesn't work either, but I guess that'll be another thread...)

Sugar Bear

Glad it worked.

joe_padavano

I'm still struggling to understand how one can force an 1156 bulb into an 1157 socket. One has to be a pretty clueless gorilla.

JerryB

Thanks for hijacking the thread JP.

cjsdad

I always wonder that myself since the 1157 bulb has offset locking pins and the 1156 has parallel pins. Same with the sockets. You have to force the wrong bulb into the the wrong socket, they don't fit smoothly.