Thanks, but not there
Where's the flasher?
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Where's the flasher?
I'm at wit's end trying to find the turn signal and hazard light flashers on my 96 Explorer. Neither are working. I've removed the steering cover...not there, the fuse panel...not there, looked under the instrument panel...not there...ugh. Why do we have to play "hide and seek" with Fords?
I do have the tow package on this vehicle.
Help!
Bob
I do have the tow package on this vehicle.
Help!
Bob
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
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This is from the Chilton manual. Don't know how reliable it is.
Both the turn signal flasher and the hazard warning flasher are mounted on the fuse panel on the truck. To gain access to the fuse panel, remove the cover from the lower edge of the instrument panel below the steering column. First remove the two fasteners from the lower edge of the cover. Then pull the cover downward until the spring clips disengage from the instrument panel.
The turn signal flasher unit is mounted on the front of the fuse panel, and the hazard warning flasher is mounted on the rear of the fuse panel.
Both the turn signal flasher and the hazard warning flasher are mounted on the fuse panel on the truck. To gain access to the fuse panel, remove the cover from the lower edge of the instrument panel below the steering column. First remove the two fasteners from the lower edge of the cover. Then pull the cover downward until the spring clips disengage from the instrument panel.
The turn signal flasher unit is mounted on the front of the fuse panel, and the hazard warning flasher is mounted on the rear of the fuse panel.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
The flasher is an electronic flasher mounted under the steering column. It would appear to look more like a relay (plastic box) rather than an old school flasher. The turn signal and hazard flasher is part of the same unit.
The connector for the flasher has 5 wires to it, the light blue wire is the turn signal flasher output, red/white is one of the power wires, white/red is the hazard flasher output, black is ground, and orange/yellow is switched power.
There are two fuses that feed the flasher, you may want to confirm they are good too. Both are in the instrument panel fuse panel, one is fuse 22 (10A mini fuse) and the other is fuse 21 (15A mini fuse).
I had an issue once in a 1998 Taurus SHO where the turn signals didn't work, nor did the hazards at first. I cycled the hazard switch a few times then they all started working fine. Apparently the multifunction switch was dirty. I sprayed it out with some electrical contact cleaner and it never gave me another problem as long as I kept the car.
-Rod
The connector for the flasher has 5 wires to it, the light blue wire is the turn signal flasher output, red/white is one of the power wires, white/red is the hazard flasher output, black is ground, and orange/yellow is switched power.
There are two fuses that feed the flasher, you may want to confirm they are good too. Both are in the instrument panel fuse panel, one is fuse 22 (10A mini fuse) and the other is fuse 21 (15A mini fuse).
I had an issue once in a 1998 Taurus SHO where the turn signals didn't work, nor did the hazards at first. I cycled the hazard switch a few times then they all started working fine. Apparently the multifunction switch was dirty. I sprayed it out with some electrical contact cleaner and it never gave me another problem as long as I kept the car.
-Rod
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Shorod
Thanks, I think I have in my hand what you are talking about. Five wire yellow rectangular box with the same color wires you describe. When I went to the Autozone parts store the other day they gave me a standard round flasher. That's what I been searching for
I'll try Autozone with this 5 wire box in hand to see if they can match it up.
Much Obliged to ya (especially if this will work)
BobL
I'll try Autozone with this 5 wire box in hand to see if they can match it up.
Much Obliged to ya (especially if this will work)
BobL
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,819
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Do you have a test light so you can confirm that you have power to the flasher? These electronic flashers don't really fail all that often. It's probably more likely the multifunction switch is the issue....
-Rod
-Rod
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From: E.Lincoln County, NC
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WoooHoooo
Hey Guys;
Finally found the problem...after going to AutoZone and getting the right flasher it still didn't work...so began suspecting the multi switch. Upon examining it I found a couple loose wires (probably worked loose from the tilt steering wheel activity). Reattached them and, presto, turn signals, flashers!
Thanks for all the help here, this is a great forum!
BobL
Finally found the problem...after going to AutoZone and getting the right flasher it still didn't work...so began suspecting the multi switch. Upon examining it I found a couple loose wires (probably worked loose from the tilt steering wheel activity). Reattached them and, presto, turn signals, flashers!
Thanks for all the help here, this is a great forum!
BobL
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
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From: E.Lincoln County, NC
That's a common problem on this series of Explorers. Usually it affects one turn signal and not all of them. That is an instant indication of the MFS/tilt problem. Were all of your turn signals out?
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