That was 1 of the 1st uses of fiberoptics in an automobile I remember the big deal it was real trick when it was new. Exactly how they worked was a mystery to me! Thank you Columbo!
I had da same prob on my 76 Buick Electra Landau coupe. But, it was da rear monitor. So happened line to da brake light got kinked from stuffing my trunk with luggage. Under warranty, da tech showed me da issue & how e.z. to repair. 2minutes, & I was able to see da 2 red dots ,again in my rearview mirror. I ❤ dat. Avoiding tickets. Changed my HEADLIGHTS to halogen, wow, wata difference.
That's a great story, wish I could have been there to see that. The halogen headlights are great, if you have the shop manual, follow the headlamp aiming instructions and they will be even better. Thanks for watching and sharing your story!
@@westofthelakecadillacclub yeah, em lines cannot get bent, nor kinked. Mine was kinked, so, da tech smoothly rounded off da line & it worked. My dad had a brand new Caddy Eldorado. Fully equipped, Astroroof, even with Fuel injection. Wow, it had a few more ponies dan da carburetor version of 500cid. But, torque was gr8 for da day 400lbft!. Sure miss em land yachts. Imagine em with today's technology.
So is Cadillac the reason why sealed beams have that little nub positioned conveniently between the electrical contacts? Or did Cadillac just happen to discover how to make good use of that little nub that has always been there? My first experience with these lamp monitors was my aunt’s 1972 Fleetwood Brougham. I was just 5 years old in 1972! And I’m trying to recall the rear lamp monitors on that same car. The two little red lights. Was it contained in a little snorkel looking thing that sat atop the rear package shelf? Or was it integrated into the upper rear windshield trim?
Yes, those little nubs are on there for just that reason. That's why you have to buy the right lamps that still have the nub. Good luck with your "new-to-you" Cadillac!
@@DanTheManIOM So cool! What color was your grandmother’s Fleetwood? My aunt’s was metallic red with a white top and red leather inside. As a little kid I loved the fold down footrests for the backseat passengers. And I also liked the backseat fold down center armrest and I’d sit atop it like it was a booster seat!
@@CH67guy1 it was brown ? green ? I'm colorblind. and it had fabric seats, light tan vinyl roof, she used to park it at a diagonal in a 2 car garage so that it would fit !! She replaced it later with a 1979 LeBaron four door, white with a blue top, blue velour seats and it was much smaller. Easier for her to drive.
Just noticed something, so the back of the high beam light it doesn't have to a blue spray or similar, applied to the knob? So the blue we see is from the lens within the fiber optic housing?
@West of the Lake Cadillac Club Chicago I did not know that. I thought it came from the back of the headlight knob because I have seen some headlights that have like a blue tint spray applied to the knobs. I'm changing my headlights on my 78 coupe as I type this and they're the old school Wagner brand. The ones currently on my car do not have any of the knobs present. And I'm doing that trick with the vacuum line as well. Thanks
The glass head light is a sealed unit and is replaced with a completely new one. They are available at Amazon.com. Make sure you specify the high beam or the low beam because they are different. Thank you for watching!
The high beam is exactly the same as the low beam, and the turn signal unscrews just like the headlamp bezel does. Also, the turn signals are more protected and are less likely to get dirty. If yours are dirty, take a little cleaning solvent like Simple Green on a Q-Tip and clean the lens of the fender monitor. That's a good idea for all three lenses. Thanks for the idea, we always appreciate good ideas!
I cleaned all the outside lenses because on the Riviera they are in the open, but I dont know if I can get to all the fiber optic wires, that is why i wanted to se how you did the turn signal ones.
Thank you so much for this video!
I finally own an old Cadillac, but sadly it’s not old enough to have lamp monitors!
That was 1 of the 1st uses of fiberoptics in an automobile I remember the big deal it was real trick when it was new. Exactly how they worked was a mystery to me! Thank you Columbo!
This is great. I owned a 77 and two 78 Eldorados and never understood how those little lights worked.
Thank you for watching. We love your user name, sounds like you'd fit in just fine around here!😁
Great video. Never knew why you monitor's were dim.
I have a 76 and just learned something.. thank you
I had da same prob on my 76 Buick Electra Landau coupe. But, it was da rear monitor. So happened line to da brake light got kinked from stuffing my trunk with luggage. Under warranty, da tech showed me da issue & how e.z. to repair. 2minutes, & I was able to see da 2 red dots ,again in my rearview mirror. I ❤ dat. Avoiding tickets. Changed my HEADLIGHTS to halogen, wow, wata difference.
That's a great story, wish I could have been there to see that. The halogen headlights are great, if you have the shop manual, follow the headlamp aiming instructions and they will be even better. Thanks for watching and sharing your story!
@@westofthelakecadillacclub yeah, em lines cannot get bent, nor kinked. Mine was kinked, so, da tech smoothly rounded off da line & it worked. My dad had a brand new Caddy Eldorado. Fully equipped, Astroroof, even with Fuel injection. Wow, it had a few more ponies dan da carburetor version of 500cid. But, torque was gr8 for da day 400lbft!. Sure miss em land yachts. Imagine em with today's technology.
keep the videos coming in great stuff
I never knew what those were for.
Keep the videos coming
Thank you I have that problem in my el dorado 72
So is Cadillac the reason why sealed beams have that little nub positioned conveniently between the electrical contacts?
Or did Cadillac just happen to discover how to make good use of that little nub that has always been there?
My first experience with these lamp monitors was my aunt’s 1972 Fleetwood Brougham.
I was just 5 years old in 1972!
And I’m trying to recall the rear lamp monitors on that same car. The two little red lights.
Was it contained in a little snorkel looking thing that sat atop the rear package shelf?
Or was it integrated into the upper rear windshield trim?
Yes, those little nubs are on there for just that reason. That's why you have to buy the right lamps that still have the nub. Good luck with your "new-to-you" Cadillac!
My grandmother had a 72 Fleetwood too, and it had the snorkel in the middle of the rear seat - like you said, up from the package tray.
@@DanTheManIOM So cool! What color was your grandmother’s Fleetwood?
My aunt’s was metallic red with a white top and red leather inside. As a little kid I loved the fold down footrests for the backseat passengers. And I also liked the backseat fold down center armrest and I’d sit atop it like it was a booster seat!
@@CH67guy1 it was brown ? green ? I'm colorblind. and it had fabric seats, light tan vinyl roof, she used to park it at a diagonal in a 2 car garage so that it would fit !! She replaced it later with a 1979 LeBaron four door, white with a blue top, blue velour seats and it was much smaller. Easier for her to drive.
@@DanTheManIOM Being colorblind must suck, but I guess if you’ve never known anything different you don’t know what you’re missing. 🧐
Very cool, great video! What do the three different colors mean? I assume one is low beams and another high beams, but what about the third?
Thanks for watching! The third one is for the turn signal/parking lamp.
Can I assume the low beam and turn signal lights rely on the same method? I have a 76 Talisman and my lights, especially on driver side are a tad dim.
Yes, they’re exactly the same. Thanks for watching!
@@westofthelakecadillacclub thank you sir
Just noticed something, so the back of the high beam light it doesn't have to a blue spray or similar, applied to the knob? So the blue we see is from the lens within the fiber optic housing?
Yes, each lens in the fender housing is colored to indicate the lamp. Amber for turn signal, white for low beam and blue for high beam.
@West of the Lake Cadillac Club Chicago I did not know that. I thought it came from the back of the headlight knob because I have seen some headlights that have like a blue tint spray applied to the knobs. I'm changing my headlights on my 78 coupe as I type this and they're the old school Wagner brand. The ones currently on my car do not have any of the knobs present. And I'm doing that trick with the vacuum line as well. Thanks
Yes, it is in the housing on the fender. Blue is always on the inside, white is in the middle no amber is on the outside.
How can I replace bulbs head light 💡?
The glass head light is a sealed unit and is replaced with a completely new one. They are available at Amazon.com. Make sure you specify the high beam or the low beam because they are different. Thank you for watching!
@@westofthelakecadillacclub Thank you great man
That was extremely helpful! Thanks
Has anyone put the lamp monitors on a lincoln or other car?
I’ve only seen it on other GM products, like Buick and Oldsmobile, but other manufacturers could have done it.
What about doing the turn signal one also and the high beam? Or at least show how to do it, the turn signal would probably be the hardest.
The high beam is exactly the same as the low beam, and the turn signal unscrews just like the headlamp bezel does. Also, the turn signals are more protected and are less likely to get dirty. If yours are dirty, take a little cleaning solvent like Simple Green on a Q-Tip and clean the lens of the fender monitor. That's a good idea for all three lenses. Thanks for the idea, we always appreciate good ideas!
@@westofthelakecadillacclub
I cleaned all the outside lenses because on the Riviera they are in the open, but I dont know if I can get to all the fiber optic wires, that is why i wanted to se how you did the turn signal ones.