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Right turn signal doesn't work when cold!

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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 01:06 PM
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Question Right turn signal doesn't work when cold!

Help!

My right turn signal ('98 Ford Explorer XLT, V6 / 4.0) doesn't work when cold. After the interior of the vehilce warms-up, it then works fine. Otherwise, it clicks rapidly and the signal indicator on the dash doesn't flash at all.

What could it be? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 

Last edited by 2m3adoyle; Dec 1, 2004 at 01:09 PM. Reason: Added Information...
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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 01:11 PM
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Replace the flasher unit. It works on heat(bi-metallic strip), so it must be on the borderline as far as operation.

Oh, one more thing. Walk around the vehicle with the flasher on and make sure all the bulbs are working. If they are, I would replace the flasher unit.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 08:19 AM
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I have already replaced the flasher unit (under the dash near the steering column) once and the same problem exists...Once it starts working, all the lights/directionals work.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 08:28 PM
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Now that I think about it, I dropped the ball a little on that response because the flasher is common to both sides. So if it works for one side, it should work for the other too.

I suggested looking at the bulbs on the outside of the vehicle, because the flasher works on heat generated by the current flowing through it. The current is drawn by the bulbs. I thought if you had one little bulb out(possibly a light has two bulbs inside it, and one is burnt out?), that it may lower the current draw enough to make it not work right.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2004 | 08:46 PM
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blinkers malfunctions and windshield washer is touchy

I have the exact same problem with my 1997 F150 as of 2 days ago. When its cold they flask rapidly, I can hear it by no lights are flashing. Then I turn it off and try again and there is nothing happening. Then turn off a couple of time and it starts to work. Yes, once it warms up it works fine.
Another problem I have is my windshield washer button. I have to gentley puch on it and it works 90% of the time. If I set the wipers on delay and use the blinker then some speeds work irratically.
Commets?
 
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 06:15 PM
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If you guys can't seem to find the cold weather problem, the only suggestion I have is replace the famous multi-function switch. They seem to fail all the time, but I have never heard of a cold weather type failure. But it's a shot in the dark.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 03:39 PM
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Dave;


Thanks for the advice, I'll wait until the signal switch fails completely before I replace it!

Mark
 
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 04:29 PM
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1997 F150 4X4, where is the flasher located? I looked around the interior fuses, no find. Is it under the hood in the fuse compartment?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 09:41 PM
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Here's where it was in 1996.

http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d800a3a24.gif
 
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 07:18 AM
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short circuit

I believe you have a short circuit somewhere inside the truck. The key is your statement that "it clicks rapidly and the signal indicator on the dash doesn't flash at all." The rapid clicks indicate high current draw, i.e. short circuit, as does no indicator flash. It could be in the mutifunction switch or a short in a wiring bundle. My first step would be to look for a pinched wiring bundle in the interior. Shake and move the wiring bundles when cold and see if anything changes.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 08:52 AM
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ok, thanks. I will let you know if I find the problem.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2004 | 09:04 PM
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To clean the contacts in the multifunction switch try turning the emergency flashers on & off a couple of times. Theres been a couple of posts saying this cleared up some strange probs with the multi switch. Worth a quick try anyways.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 12:00 PM
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Smile

It was the multi-function switch after all...I now have no problems with the directionals once I replaced the switch.


Thankls for all of your help!
 
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 12:01 PM
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Dave MK

I replaced the multi-function switch and it took care of the problem...I had the exact same issue.

Good luck!
 
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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 07:22 PM
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Thanks 2m3adoyle
 
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