Blinkers out

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Jun 9, 2017 | 12:57 PM

BA86f250

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 156

Likes: 2

Blinkers out

I just had my blinkers stop working completely in my 1986 f250. Is there something that always goes out on these trucks? Or anything that I should check first?

Jun 9, 2017 | 12:59 PM

Tedster9

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 19,311

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From: Waterloo, Iowa

Could try swapping the emergency flasher dealio with the turn signal dealio (the thing that clicks)

Jun 9, 2017 | 01:07 PM

CountryBumkin

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 1,636

Likes: 5

From: Orlando area

Do the brake lights and/or emergency flashers work?
I would check the "flasher unit" first.

Jun 9, 2017 | 01:23 PM

kr98664

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 7,183

Likes: 1,175

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA86f250

I just had my blinkers stop working completely in my 1986 f250. Is there something that always goes out on these trucks? Or anything that I should check first?

Try this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...vac-is-on.html

If using the original style thermal blinker, be aware that type is very sensitive to low voltage. In that thread, although the "fix" was a new blinker, he also discovered a charging problem soon after that, detailed in a different thread. Very likely the low system voltage aggravated the blinker fault, so make sure you check the charging system.

Jun 9, 2017 | 04:32 PM

ArdWrknTrk

pedant

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 23,576

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From: EXTREME southwest CT

Obviously you're low on blinker fluid.

I suggest using the newer fully synthetic fluid.
It seems to last much longer and doesn't stutter.

Jun 9, 2017 | 05:18 PM

kr98664

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 7,183

Likes: 1,175

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk

Obviously you're low on blinker fluid.

I suggest using the newer fully synthetic fluid.
It seems to last much longer and doesn't stutter.

There are pros and cons when upgrading to synthetic. Better blinker performance, no question. But any leaks can ruin the muffler bearings, so be careful if you keep having to top off the reservoir.

Jun 10, 2017 | 01:05 AM

BA86f250

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 156

Likes: 2

Thanks for all of the replies guys, I ended up figuring it out though. I'm pretty sure it's because of a short caused by my radiator blowing yesterday and spraying coolant everwhere. I replaced the radiator yesterday right after it blew and they started working again when I drove it home after work tonight (presumably because everything has had some time to fully dry out). Blinker fluid was full, it was the first thing I checked of course.

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Jun 10, 2017 | 01:33 AM

kr98664

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 7,183

Likes: 1,175

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA86f250

Thanks for all of the replies guys, I ended up figuring it out though. I'm pretty sure it's because of a short caused by my radiator blowing yesterday and spraying coolant everwhere.

Interesting. I'd suggest running a quick check to make sure the alternator is charging properly. I can't imagine the turn signal wiring being much affected by a coolant bath. The alternator is a different story if it ingested a bunch of coolant. If the brushes got soaked, charging would drop off or quit altogether until they dried out.

Since the thermal type of blinker is very sensitive to low voltage, it may have stopped working because you were unknowingly running off just battery for a while. Hook up a battery charger overnight and then test the alternator to make sure it has fully recovered.