Odd Electrical issue with turn signals - help!
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Reno, NV
Odd Electrical issue with turn signals - help!
First, this is in a 1986 F-250.
Ok, so the turn signals worked fine the other day (both left & right), but when I turned the hazards on, nothing... then the turn signals would not work either.
Running/Parking lights work fine, as do the brake lights... but no turn signals or hazards.
Then today I turned the hazards on while trouble shooting and ONLY the front passenger light blinked (as well as the right dash indicator), but nothing at the rear. Again, brake lights work fine, running lights good on all corners.
WTF? lol As far as my understanding of the electrical for these things go, this should be impossible... apparently I'm wrong. Anyone have any ideas or an electrical diagram?
Ok, so the turn signals worked fine the other day (both left & right), but when I turned the hazards on, nothing... then the turn signals would not work either.
Running/Parking lights work fine, as do the brake lights... but no turn signals or hazards.
Then today I turned the hazards on while trouble shooting and ONLY the front passenger light blinked (as well as the right dash indicator), but nothing at the rear. Again, brake lights work fine, running lights good on all corners.
WTF? lol As far as my understanding of the electrical for these things go, this should be impossible... apparently I'm wrong. Anyone have any ideas or an electrical diagram?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 177
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From: Grants Pass, OR
Very possible and has happened to me.
Many electrical switches are actually multiple single pole switches actuated by a single lever. For example the ignition switch is really many switches all thrown at once.
This is the turn signal switch in the column. One wire connects the fronts and the other connects the rears. If one wire does not make contact then you only get half the circuit:
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/t...86f150turn.jpg
Here is the turn / hazard wiring diagram ('86):
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6...urnstophaz.jpg
Also note that with this setup, pressing the brake pedal will override the hazard function and will not flash.
.
Many electrical switches are actually multiple single pole switches actuated by a single lever. For example the ignition switch is really many switches all thrown at once.
This is the turn signal switch in the column. One wire connects the fronts and the other connects the rears. If one wire does not make contact then you only get half the circuit:
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/t...86f150turn.jpg
Here is the turn / hazard wiring diagram ('86):
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6...urnstophaz.jpg
Also note that with this setup, pressing the brake pedal will override the hazard function and will not flash.
.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Everything worked till you messed with the hazard switch. I would pull the hazard switch in and out rapidly about 4 or 5 times and see if the turnsignals and the brake lights start working.
Your hazard switch probably has dirt in it, and it's also possible the hazards don't work because the hazard flasher is faulty(or missing).
Your hazard switch probably has dirt in it, and it's also possible the hazards don't work because the hazard flasher is faulty(or missing).
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
Very possible and has happened to me.
Many electrical switches are actually multiple single pole switches actuated by a single lever. For example the ignition switch is really many switches all thrown at once.
This is the turn signal switch in the column. One wire connects the fronts and the other connects the rears. If one wire does not make contact then you only get half the circuit:
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/t...86f150turn.jpg
Here is the turn / hazard wiring diagram ('86):
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6...urnstophaz.jpg
Also note that with this setup, pressing the brake pedal will override the hazard function and will not flash.
.
Many electrical switches are actually multiple single pole switches actuated by a single lever. For example the ignition switch is really many switches all thrown at once.
This is the turn signal switch in the column. One wire connects the fronts and the other connects the rears. If one wire does not make contact then you only get half the circuit:
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/t...86f150turn.jpg
Here is the turn / hazard wiring diagram ('86):
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6...urnstophaz.jpg
Also note that with this setup, pressing the brake pedal will override the hazard function and will not flash.
.
By the looks of how the wiring goes, the only way for this to happen is multiple failures within the hazard switch... (far left not returning, middle left not making contact, middle right working properly, and far right not making contact)That should mean if I turn the hazards on & put on the right turn signal my rear lamp should flash with the front... Ima test that haha
Everything worked till you messed with the hazard switch. I would pull the hazard switch in and out rapidly about 4 or 5 times and see if the turnsignals and the brake lights start working.
Your hazard switch probably has dirt in it, and it's also possible the hazards don't work because the hazard flasher is faulty(or missing).
Your hazard switch probably has dirt in it, and it's also possible the hazards don't work because the hazard flasher is faulty(or missing).
Will test switch at some point.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
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From: Reno, NV
Yep, thats it! Rear lamp flashes when I put the right turn signal on (key off) with the flashers on. Balancing the hazard switch perfectly got the other front to work, and eventually screwing with it enough got the turn signals back with the key on. Still no rear hazards but at least I know what the problem is.
Except, do I really have to pull the steering wheel and tear into the column to fix that damn thing?
Except, do I really have to pull the steering wheel and tear into the column to fix that damn thing?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass, OR
Here is the one from Autozone. There are probably others:
Turn Signal Switch | 1986 Ford F150 1/2 ton P/U 4WD 8 Cylinders N 5.0L FI | AutoZone.com
I would get the one with the entire assembly / connector. Note there is different one for Tilt or Non Tilt.
I have replaced just the turn signal part a couple of times due to the return ears breaking off. Now the other parts are worn so the whole thing does not work well. Have to hold the lever all the way up or only the front flashes etc.
Yes you have to pull the wheel. I use a 'star' lug wrench to get the nut off.
Then a wheel puller kit. Something like this:
46 Piece Bolt Puller Set
The turn signal lever just unscrews from the assembly. There is a flat spot for a wrench on the shaft.
Turn Signal Switch | 1986 Ford F150 1/2 ton P/U 4WD 8 Cylinders N 5.0L FI | AutoZone.com
I would get the one with the entire assembly / connector. Note there is different one for Tilt or Non Tilt.
I have replaced just the turn signal part a couple of times due to the return ears breaking off. Now the other parts are worn so the whole thing does not work well. Have to hold the lever all the way up or only the front flashes etc.
Yes you have to pull the wheel. I use a 'star' lug wrench to get the nut off.
Then a wheel puller kit. Something like this:
46 Piece Bolt Puller Set
The turn signal lever just unscrews from the assembly. There is a flat spot for a wrench on the shaft.
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