Turn Signal Help
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New User
Joined: Oct 2016
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Turn Signal Help
Got a 1977 F-150 automatic, 4.9 liter straight six. Turn signals turned off by themselves since I have owned it. Today the signals quit working. Bulbs are fine because emergency flashers work fine. Is this an issue with the switch on the column and any ideas on a fix. The cluster dashback is pretty much crumbled apart too. Thanks for any ideas.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Jssjr,
If you are keeping this truck for any length of time a most valuable tool for any/all electrical issue is a multimeter. That can be had at Harbor Freight for about $4.
Use a multimeter to see if you have voltage at the light when the signal is activated. Then back track to the flasher, fusebox and finally the switch itself.
Best wishes...
If you are keeping this truck for any length of time a most valuable tool for any/all electrical issue is a multimeter. That can be had at Harbor Freight for about $4.
Use a multimeter to see if you have voltage at the light when the signal is activated. Then back track to the flasher, fusebox and finally the switch itself.
Best wishes...
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New User
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Thank you both. I have multi-player. I will check under dash. I will check tonight. What confuses me is everything works fine on emergency flasher just not turn signal. I will turn on signal and check for voltage too. Thanks again.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 80
From: NE Texas
by the way, that crumbling gauge support is a common problem and most of the normal sources carry replacements made of a better plastic for not a lot of money
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n' looked under dash. Saw one flasher hanging down. Didn't see another one in plain sight. I did notice.on passenger side the rear side marker light is out. Going to check that tomorrow. I know electrical problems are tricky. Going to check the voltage with a multi-meter too. Thanks again for the advice.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: River Valley AR
To check for reverse polarity, you just need to ensure that the + is the +, and the - is the -. If they are swapped, you've got reverse polarity.
The best way is to use a wiring diagram, but it's just common sense. You only have one ground, make sure that it's not a hot wire when the lights/signals are on. The other two wires are hot only when lights/signals are on.
After that, it's just checking to make sure that the brighter side of the bulb is hooked up the brake/turn system, and the dimmer side is on the lamp circuit.
On older vehicles, trucks especially, there are often wiring modifications done that need to be undone. Someone may have tried to hook up reverse spotlights, trailer connectors, Elec. Trailer brakes, no telling. If the checks above don't make sense, look for previous wiring work and verify it.
EDIT- the ground wire will connect to the outer metal housing of the bulb. The other two wires will connect to the two terminals on the base of the bulb.
The best way is to use a wiring diagram, but it's just common sense. You only have one ground, make sure that it's not a hot wire when the lights/signals are on. The other two wires are hot only when lights/signals are on.
After that, it's just checking to make sure that the brighter side of the bulb is hooked up the brake/turn system, and the dimmer side is on the lamp circuit.
On older vehicles, trucks especially, there are often wiring modifications done that need to be undone. Someone may have tried to hook up reverse spotlights, trailer connectors, Elec. Trailer brakes, no telling. If the checks above don't make sense, look for previous wiring work and verify it.
EDIT- the ground wire will connect to the outer metal housing of the bulb. The other two wires will connect to the two terminals on the base of the bulb.
Last edited by bodabdan; Oct 6, 2016 at 06:55 PM. Reason: More info
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 992
Likes: 114
From: Dallas, OR
I did the same thing, missing the second flasher. Mine was hiding out of sight between the side of the cab and the emergency brake pedal mounting. In my case, it was not the flasher, but a weak ground in the steering column. I rigged up a jumper wire across both steering column u-joints and they worked fine after that.
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