69 Fiber Optics Diagnosis Steps

[Don W.]

None of my rear fiber optics work. The car had been in prior rear accident(s) and has been repainted. What are the steps to diagnose the rear fiber optics? What is the effort required to replace to the entire rear harness?
Thanks...Don

[Alan S.]

Re: 69 Fiber Optics Diagnosis Steps

Hi Don,
I think you need to gain access to the fiber optic lens at the rear of the console to see the condition of the lens and the 3 cables that plug into the lens. The lens has typically gotten very fragile over the yeas and cracks, thus allowing the cables to roam around under there.
At the rear lights you need to check the condition of the rubber boots that hold the cable in place in the lights' bodies, the condition of the cables, and the plastic lens' that are on the end of the cable.
Once you establish that all the parts are in attendance and clean you can begin to worry about the condition of the cable as it runs forward to the dash. I'd shine a bright light direcrty into the lens at the rear and try to see if there'sany light at the dash. If not I guess you'd need to begin to unwrap the rear lighting harness to look for deterioration or breaks in the cable.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

3 pictures showing a typical cable, lens, and boot.
1 showing the lens and 3 cables at the shifter plate.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 69 Fiber Optics Diagnosis Steps

It is very simply a fiber cable , light in one end, light out the other. Look on one end and follow it to the other. If the car has been painted, start under the rear lens. They probably painted the end of the wire. On the other end the plastic lens on the console is often broken.