Lights
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Conroe,TX
Lights
I have a 1978 F-150 & I am having a problem with my lights, when I turn on my head lights the turn signals light up but do not flash but both turn sig's work. When it first started it was only the left one now it seems to be both of them most of the time. It seemed to start when I put led tail lights on my trailer but it does it all of the time now not just with the trailer hooked up. I'm 
I have checked the trailer plug & the trailer lights the right side light does not work on the trailer now either. Everything was fine at first it just started doing this after a few weeks of using the trailer.
I have checked the trailer plug & the trailer lights the right side light does not work on the trailer now either. Everything was fine at first it just started doing this after a few weeks of using the trailer.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 32
And your grounds. All of them! Most electrical issues in our trucks are dirty, corroded or open grounds. Invest in a big ol tube of dielet grease. Use it on all your grounds and connectors and bare wiring connections.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13,143
Likes: 348
From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
Yes. Your problem sounds like bad grounds. There's separate grounds behind every turn signal. Start by cleaning them. (take them apart, wire brush them, then put them back together). I'm willing to bet that's most, if not all, of your problem.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Conroe,TX
That was my first thought & it may still be bad grounds, but the only place the turn signals come on are on the dash. All the lights work as they should but when I turn on the headlights the turn signal lights on the dash come on they don't flash until I turn on a turn signal & they don't come on out side until they are turned on. I am thinking it may be the dash not working right, I have another dash so I will change it out & see it that helps. Thanks for all the input I will let post what I find out.
Thanks Bill
Thanks Bill
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Check your grounds at the outside bulbs, and make sure the dual-filament turn signal bulbs are installed correctly & sockets are good, front & back.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
From: The Lone Star State
With these old trucks it could be all of the above! Haha. I had a similar problem recentlly and had corrosion in the turn signal bulb pigtails (front). Easy to check by taking it apart to clean and inspect.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 333
From: Arlington,Wa
There is a metal prong in each turn signal socket (outside the truck) that gives the bulb return path to ground. Sounds to me like that's what the problem is. Those might be corroded or broken off and not making contact with the base of the bulb. Had the same issue with my 79. I replaced the socket assemblies (O'Reilly's has them) and it fixed the problem. I don't think there's any problem with your dash lights. X2 on the dielectric grease.....
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