Intermitent indicators and dash lights
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Intermitent indicators and dash lights
New here so hey all from the UK!
I've had my 71 F100 for 2 weeks now, whilst I love it I'm starting to find it's querks. I'm a total newbie when it comes to anything Mechanical or Electrical wanting to learn!
My headlights work (modern Halo LED's) and so do my brake lights, interior light, cargo light. However my indicator lights sometimes work, and sometimes flick off after 1 flash. When they arnt flashing on the dash they also don't flash on the front or rear lights. The same pretty much goes for the light cluster at night it flickers vividly and then dissapears altogether, so night time driving is sketchy inside.
I've been reading around and wondering if it could be a bad grounding? I spotted a loose ground earlier near the front RH headlight, but not sure if that would be causing it as it is technically touching something, or a loose connection in the dash?
Any help would really be appreciate, thanks!
I've had my 71 F100 for 2 weeks now, whilst I love it I'm starting to find it's querks. I'm a total newbie when it comes to anything Mechanical or Electrical wanting to learn!
My headlights work (modern Halo LED's) and so do my brake lights, interior light, cargo light. However my indicator lights sometimes work, and sometimes flick off after 1 flash. When they arnt flashing on the dash they also don't flash on the front or rear lights. The same pretty much goes for the light cluster at night it flickers vividly and then dissapears altogether, so night time driving is sketchy inside.
I've been reading around and wondering if it could be a bad grounding? I spotted a loose ground earlier near the front RH headlight, but not sure if that would be causing it as it is technically touching something, or a loose connection in the dash?
Any help would really be appreciate, thanks!
Last edited by JonnyUK; Feb 11, 2022 at 05:42 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
I would turn light switch to where only the dash lights come on, ( I think you can do that ??? ) Try turning switch to the left. Anyway turn on dash lights & take your hand & move some of the wires under the dash/ behind the instrument panel and see if the dash lights flicker !!!
Maybe tap slightly on the front of the plastic instrument panel. You may have a lose wire. If it flickers then take out the panel and check for a loose connection or bare spot in wiring insulation............
Maybe tap slightly on the front of the plastic instrument panel. You may have a lose wire. If it flickers then take out the panel and check for a loose connection or bare spot in wiring insulation............
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 683
Likes: 202
From: Pasco WA
RTT
I would turn light switch to where only the dash lights come on, ( I think you can do that ??? ) Try turning switch to the left. Anyway turn on dash lights & take your hand & move some of the wires under the dash/ behind the instrument panel and see if the dash lights flicker !!!
Maybe tap slightly on the front of the plastic instrument panel. You may have a lose wire. If it flickers then take out the panel and check for a loose connection or bare spot in wiring insulation............
I would turn light switch to where only the dash lights come on, ( I think you can do that ??? ) Try turning switch to the left. Anyway turn on dash lights & take your hand & move some of the wires under the dash/ behind the instrument panel and see if the dash lights flicker !!!
Maybe tap slightly on the front of the plastic instrument panel. You may have a lose wire. If it flickers then take out the panel and check for a loose connection or bare spot in wiring insulation............
Good luck
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thank you both! Oddly yesterday morning I had no indicators at all, then when driving back from work they worked perfectly for the 30 minute drive home.
I'll try wiggling the wired and tapping on the cluster. If not my thoughts are a loose connection. I'm not sure the grounding could be the issue as it would surely effect the front and rear light full stop.
I'll try wiggling the wired and tapping on the cluster. If not my thoughts are a loose connection. I'm not sure the grounding could be the issue as it would surely effect the front and rear light full stop.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Welcome to FTE.
I think you may have two separate problems that the PO (previous owner) didn't fix.
But first look up behind the dash. See if the wiring looks like a hacked up mess.
The cluster lights could be the headlamp switch, printed circuit board on the back of the cluster, or the ground wire that should be screwed to the bottom of the metal dash. I believe 1971 had this ground wire.
The indicator lights could also be the printed circuit board, turn signal switch, or the flasher unit. Some call this a flasher can.
I think you may have two separate problems that the PO (previous owner) didn't fix.
But first look up behind the dash. See if the wiring looks like a hacked up mess.
The cluster lights could be the headlamp switch, printed circuit board on the back of the cluster, or the ground wire that should be screwed to the bottom of the metal dash. I believe 1971 had this ground wire.
The indicator lights could also be the printed circuit board, turn signal switch, or the flasher unit. Some call this a flasher can.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Welcome to FTE.
I think you may have two separate problems that the PO (previous owner) didn't fix.
But first look up behind the dash. See if the wiring looks like a hacked up mess.
The cluster lights could be the headlamp switch, printed circuit board on the back of the cluster, or the ground wire that should be screwed to the bottom of the metal dash. I believe 1971 had this ground wire.
The indicator lights could also be the printed circuit board, turn signal switch, or the flasher unit. Some call this a flasher can.
I think you may have two separate problems that the PO (previous owner) didn't fix.
But first look up behind the dash. See if the wiring looks like a hacked up mess.
The cluster lights could be the headlamp switch, printed circuit board on the back of the cluster, or the ground wire that should be screwed to the bottom of the metal dash. I believe 1971 had this ground wire.
The indicator lights could also be the printed circuit board, turn signal switch, or the flasher unit. Some call this a flasher can.
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