Another turn signal / light problem

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Oct 21, 2003 | 10:14 AM

mudmnky

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From: Pensacola

Another turn signal / light problem

Since this is slightly different that GeneStoner's problem I made a new tread.

Ok,

1) Turn on lights no rear running lights or brake lights.

2) Turn off lights, now I have break lights.

Replaced H light switch thinking it might be bad, no change.
Replaced brake switch, just because.

3) Emergency flasher work excelent, just like they should.

4) Turn signal wont flash ,now both brakelights are on, but I can still select either right or left in the front

Replaced flaser to see if it would make a difference

I've checked all wiring, grounds, etc. I'm going to pull the steering column apart tonight to check the turn signal switch.

Oct 21, 2003 | 10:22 AM

plowpusher

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From: lino lakes, mn

check the little brass rivots in the turn signal switch that the wires attach to I've had them loosen on mine but it still sounds like a groung problem with the rear lights clean them all clean the sockets with 400 grit paper usually when they work when the tail lights are off and don't when the tail lights are on it's a ground problem and it backfeeds through the tail light circuit

Oct 21, 2003 | 10:27 AM

mudmnky

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From: Pensacola

Tail lights are brand new (stepside) all the connections have been cleaned and checked from the firewall back.

Oct 22, 2003 | 11:00 PM

bassdude

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: colorado

i had the same problem with my 76. i chased all the wires behind the dash replaced the steering column harness including the turn signal switch.(pain in the you know what) checked and cleaned all the grounds front to rear..... still did it..... then i noticed if i wiggled the wires going to the rear taillite socket it didn't do it. changed out both rear sockets and it's been fine. if i'd only checked that FIRST!!!!!!!!

Last edited by bassdude; Oct 22, 2003 at 11:03 PM.

Oct 23, 2003 | 12:55 PM

mchipman

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From: U.S.

I also had to change both rt side sockets for a similiar problem

Oct 23, 2003 | 01:32 PM

mudmnky

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From: Pensacola

Went ahead and double checked the sockets and wiring at the tails. Nothing there looked or felt loose. I even unpluged the lights and put a circ testor on them and it's some where down the line. I got the same responce on the testor as I did from having the lights pluged in.

Oct 23, 2003 | 02:03 PM

tellico racing

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From: Southwestern Michigan

Have you checked the front sockets and grounds??

Oct 23, 2003 | 05:20 PM

mudmnky

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From: Pensacola

I just got done pulling the switch out and I'm going to clean the contacts and check the wire connections. Is there anything that I should pay special attention to?

Oct 23, 2003 | 08:41 PM

#10

Vince dEon

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Joined: Jul 2003

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Yes. With this switch it's important to pay attention to what you are doing, no kidding here.

The important thing about this switch is the small plastic cam that is really fragile. Break it and you are into a new/replaced switch assembly; don't bother with the aftermarket pieces of crap cams that are sold for $20. This switch uses a different set of contacts for front and rear lights.

Suggested procedure:
-remove wheel
-turn key on
-activate blinker, validate failure
-leave blinker on, and press LIGHTLY onto the switch mech, and see if you have a difference.

If so, you either have tired springs on the contactor (replace whole switch) or dirty contacts. As dirty contacts are a 5 minute cleaning job, clean them, reassemble steering wheel and test.

If you are into a swap, get a switch off of a similar column. I took one from a '81 Bronco that matched my truck (tilt/cruise/etc) and it worked, just the colour codes were different. Expect up to 2 hours for the switch swap, and WRITE DOWN THE COLOUR CODES from each vehicle before you tear apart the connector at the base of the column.

Oct 27, 2003 | 09:20 AM

#11

mudmnky

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From: Pensacola

Problem solved......

I actuall had two things that were causing a problem:

There was a loose wire in the main plug for the turn signal switch
After I fixed that......
Then I had to reground the tails directly to the frame instead of the bed.

Thanks for the help