In the USA, do cars have side turn signals? In practice front side marker lights are just lights to indicate the presence of the vehicle or blink when you turn? It can seem a strange question, but, as in Europe cars must be equipped with front side turn lights, in my Camaro, the owner before me, changed in turn signal the original side marker signal.
Thanks for the answer.

From what I can remember, on Second Gen Camaros, none of the side markers blink with the signals in 1970. Starting with the 1971 model, the front markers blink, but not the rear.

On my 72 the front and rear side lights blink.

I stand corrected then. Both front and rear probably were used as signal starting in 1971.

On your 79 the front side markers should blink. They alternate side-front-side-front.

The Camaros exported to Europe got different tail lights on the later year models. The amber and red lenses are reversed and the wiring is apparently switched between the brake and signal lights also. This will allow the corners of the rear lenses to blink to meet European standards.

If your car was transported to Europe and not originally shipped there from a GM dealer, you may have normal tail lights instead of the European ones.

Are the outer lenses red or amber on your car?

As Twisted Metal pointed out- and one addition- the front and side markers on North American 2nd Gens from '78-81 are also lit solidly when the lights are turned on and only blink when turn signal is activated.

Mine blink,,, 1971's

On your 79 the front side markers should blink. They alternate side-front-side-front.

The Camaros exported to Europe got different tail lights on the later year models. The amber and red lenses are reversed and the wiring is apparently switched between the brake and signal lights also. This will allow the corners of the rear lenses to blink to meet European standards.

If your car was transported to Europe and not originally shipped there from a GM dealer, you may have normal tail lights instead of the European ones.

Are the outer lenses red or amber on your car?

My Camaro should be an american version because the tachometer is in miles (I saw a '67 6 cylinder export version with tacho in km) and the outer tail lights are red, the amber turn in the center.
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My front side light just blink when I change direction but doesn't light when I turn on the lights. I'd like to know if the bulb is single or double, that is if the power of the turn light is the same of the side marker light or if turn signal is more bright (sorry more bright or brighter???)
Thanks guys!

some front side markers come on w/ running lights, then blink on/off when turn signal is on.

Your Berlinetta is in real nice shape! :D

Your car has the US style lenses. (Original Berlinetta lenses with the black plastic strip in the middle too!)
I wish I had a set of European lenses to trade with you!

You have a HUGE license plate too! Are those reflectors on the bumper?

The bulbs in the front side markers are a single filament type. If they do not come on when you turn on the headlights, there is a problem with a wiring connection somewhere.
Here is a link with wiring diagrams: http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/wiring.html

The bulb holders can be switched around in your taillight lenses so the outer ones will blink for turns but they will be red.
Does the rear signal light color make a difference for legal reasons?

You may have to talk to a mechanic or auto importer to find out about the regulations and your options for conversion.

just to add a spanner into this -

I have a 79 RS that was exported to Europe through the Antwerp finishing plant, with the amber rear indicators. When I first got it, the side markers at the front (amber) were solid with the lights, as in the US. The small bulb holders for the rear side markers in the wrap-around corner part were empty. They all blink now as indicator lamps because I spliced 'em so, but I would be interested to know how you can get the front and front-side to alternately blink?

Your Berlinetta is in real nice shape! :D

Your car has the US style lenses. (Original Berlinetta lenses with the black plastic strip in the middle too!)
I wish I had a set of European lenses to trade with you!

You have a HUGE license plate too! Are those reflectors on the bumper?

The bulbs in the front side markers are a single filament type. If they do not come on when you turn on the headlights, there is a problem with a wiring connection somewhere.
Here is a link with wiring diagrams: http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/wiring.html

The bulb holders can be switched around in your taillight lenses so the outer ones will blink for turns but they will be red.
Does the rear signal light color make a difference for legal reasons?

You may have to talk to a mechanic or auto importer to find out about the regulations and your options for conversion.

Thanx for the compliments! I prefer american style lenses !:)

In Italy we have two kinds of plate. Square, like mine and rectangular, but longer than yours. All states of Europe have those kind of plate, except for Switzerland. You think that we italians have motorbike plates smaller than car plates, but german bikes have the same plates!!

The reflectors on the bumper are compulsory (I know they are ugly!)

If the working of turn/running light is like you have described, then, probably, my front side marker do not come on when I turn on the headlights, because there is not the connection, in fact in Europe it's not possible for law that the same lense can blink and stay solid, for example the tail light with stop/turn.

Our law doesn't permit red light for turn signals (except in Switzerland).

In Europe it's not compulsory to have side marker lights, just amber front side turn. In reality most of new vehicles have them (see for example Volvo)

Why in America some cars have rear turn red and other amber? For example Camaro before or after 1978.


Nick, if I have well understood what means "wrap around corner", I can tell you that in mine, inside there is a bulb, but its light is solid and come on with running light because in Europe it's not important that you can see turn light in the corner, but, repeat, it's important that turn light is amber. In front, intead, front turn and side turn blink together, not alternately, always for european law.

With your help now I know that my wiring system is completely modified.

...
Why in America some cars have rear turn red and other amber? For example Camaro before or after 1978.
...


Sounds like you are ready for the road! :D

Thanks for the info! I find it interesting how Camaros are modified to be street legal in other parts of the world. Up until a couple of years ago, IIRC, Australians had to move the steering wheels of all american cars to other side! :(


I have no idea why some amercian cars used amber signal lights and others used red. http://www.99smiles.com/dunno.gif They seem brighter than the red ones, IMO.

Anyone know the answer to this?

My front side blink alternate and rear/side blink together all are on with running lights.