First of all like always I tried to search for info on this site but the search system is more frustrating than trying to align a door!!

I have not been driving my truck as much as usual because of the freaking heat in Charleston, however the last couple of times that I have driven it I noticed an issue with the turn indicator.

The first time I tried to use my left indicator it did not work correctly. The dash light arrow was jittery and the flasher relay made an abnormal sound. After turning I tired it again but this time no light, no sound from the flasher relay. I tried the right with the same results. Then I tried the hazards and they worked fine.

But then after the hazards worked I tried the turn indicators again and both worked as normal. They worked the rest of the time that I drove the truck that day.

A week or so later I drove it again and when I tested the indicators that time there was no light, no sound from the flasher relay. Again I turned on the hazards and afterwards the indicator worked fine.

I know there are separate flasher relays for the hazards and indicators and figure that the indicator flasher relay is faulty. I plan to replace it.

I am just wondering if anyone else has heard of this particular thing happening and if someone knows why the using of the hazards would make the turn indicators work temporarily. I am assuming it has something to do with power going to the indicators but am a little confused as to what is happening.

Also, do the flasher relays attach to anything or just hang? I would love to see a picture of that area behind the dash if anyone has one because my fuse box is also hanging and it would be nice to know where to attach it to.

Update Edit: I just read in the service manual that the turn signal flasher is supposed to be attached to the left side cowl and the hazard one is taped to the wiring harness.

TIA!!
RB

 

I hear you on not driving because of the heat and I have AC in my truck it's just too damn hot to leave the house!

I dont know why they would start working after using the 4 ways as they are 2 different flashers like you found / said.
I would change or swap the flashers as a test and see what happens. Now the 4 way flasher may not work the turn lights as the load is lighter, 2 bulbs and not 4 bulbs.

What I have seen on cars / trucks that are not used a lot or have sat for a long time is the turn signal switch contacts get a film on then and dont make good contact but you use them 2 or 3 times and they start to work as you knocked the film off a little. Next time dont turn on the 4 ways and move the turn signal to left & right a few times and then see if they work.

Sometimes you can get electrical contact cleaner and spray it between the wheel & column and moving the turn signal switch and it will get the contacts clean and start working.
Dave ----

 

Swapping the flashers is a good test/idea - because the four way flasher in the directional indicators is what you got when you ordered a heavy duty flasher.

 

When the hazards are switched on, power flow from the turn signal flasher is interrupted from going through the switch. Turning the hazards on/off is making that connection again...most likely dirty connections or some other fault in the turn signal/hazard switch. Next time simply push in on the hazard switch without turning them on to see if the turn signals start working.

 

I would start with the easiest and cheapest thing first, flasher relay. I just had to swap my signal cam in the column, not the most difficult thing I have ever done, but the wiring is a PITA. If you have to do it make sure you make yourself a diagram of the colors you have in the spots on the curved plug because you have to cut if off to replace it and re-splice it back together. I ordered mine from Bronco Graveyard and it works great, but the colors on the wires were only about 50% the same as what was in my truck... not fun.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. With the sound that the relay made I am inclined to think that it is probably the relay but we shall see.

@dlburch I will give that a try before switching any thing out.

That's a great idea @meangreen92 . I might as well confirm without buying a new one if I can.

@njdevil77 I switched out my signal cam not too long ago but was able to de-pin the connector so I did not have to splice anything. Hopefully that is not the issue because you are correct, it is a bit of a PITA!

 

Quick update. So I still have not had a lot of driving time in the truck however, the few times that I have driven it the indicator has worked normally. I guess I will go back to my late granddaddy's advise of "if it is not broke, don't fix it!"

 

Is no relay.

My flashers both are just hanging.

There is a place that the turn signals and 4 way flashers have in common .... it is in the turn signal switch behind the steering wheel. If a new TS flasher doesn't cure it, likely it is where your issue is. Brake lights have priority, next is turn signal function, but if you activate 4 way flashers, all four corners are going to flash together unless you step on the brake, then they go solid "on" and you can give no turn signal with 4 way flashers on. Your issue could be in the cancel portion too.

 

So I drove my truck the other day and had the issue again. Based on that advice from @dlburch when it happened I wiggled my hazards switch. Sure enough there is definitely a correlation with my issue. I will probably pull the steering wheel off and see what I can see. Hopefully I can just clean the connections some and that will correct the issue. I really hope that I don't have to replace the cancel cam assembly again!!

RB