turn signal lights quit
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
turn signal lights quit
My 12v 53's turn signals quit working.
I Trace a cluster of wires off the steering column(horn and turn signal wires) , but there is no fuse panel under the dash.
What should I check for whats causing the problem?
Loose ground?
Todd
I Trace a cluster of wires off the steering column(horn and turn signal wires) , but there is no fuse panel under the dash.
What should I check for whats causing the problem?
Loose ground?
Todd
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Todd -
You say turn signals (plural). So, neither turn signal works? Front and back? How about brake lights? Running lights? These are all tied on the same circuits. Finding out which work/don't work will help zero in on the problem.
Yes, a loose ground would be the first culprit I would check, but usually a loose ground affects either front or rear turn signals, not both. The system is grounded at each light. Running lights will be out too, if it is a loose ground.
Start with the wire diagram in your shop manual. Study it. Check to see if you have brake lights on both sides. If you do, the problem may be in the turn switch or its wires. If you don't have brake lights, the problem may be in the brake switch. If the brake switch has become disconnected, neither brake or turn will work. These connections can just come loose sometimes.
It usually takes a while to diagnose (for me anyway). I spent 3 days tracing a turn signal problem only to find out that the left turn signal wire had come loose under the dash. Plugged it back in and voila! Of course, that was after crawling around under the truck for 3 days swearing all the time...
You say turn signals (plural). So, neither turn signal works? Front and back? How about brake lights? Running lights? These are all tied on the same circuits. Finding out which work/don't work will help zero in on the problem.
Yes, a loose ground would be the first culprit I would check, but usually a loose ground affects either front or rear turn signals, not both. The system is grounded at each light. Running lights will be out too, if it is a loose ground.
Start with the wire diagram in your shop manual. Study it. Check to see if you have brake lights on both sides. If you do, the problem may be in the turn switch or its wires. If you don't have brake lights, the problem may be in the brake switch. If the brake switch has become disconnected, neither brake or turn will work. These connections can just come loose sometimes.
It usually takes a while to diagnose (for me anyway). I spent 3 days tracing a turn signal problem only to find out that the left turn signal wire had come loose under the dash. Plugged it back in and voila! Of course, that was after crawling around under the truck for 3 days swearing all the time...
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Seattle WA.
If you don't have the proper amount of fuses to all circuits, make sure your truck has a fuseable link installed in it. That way if a non-fused circuit fails the harness won't catch fire and burn your truck to the ground.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
Check to see if you have brake lights on both sides. If you do, the problem may be in the turn switch or its wires. If you don't have brake lights, the problem may be in the brake switch. If the brake switch has become disconnected, neither brake or turn will work. These connections can just come loose sometimes.
I crawled underneath and checked the Brake switch at the back of the master cylinder. Everything looks connected. I took the 2 wires off, and re-connected them. Still doesn't work
Should I at this point buy a new brake light switch?
Or look for other causes to the problem?
My headlights and running lights work fine (for now)
51 dueller, I'm going to check the flasher module like you suggested once I find it in the manual-thanks
Electrically challenged,
Todd
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
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From: Waynesville, OH
If you don't have one handy, there is a diagram of the turn signal wiring here http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/Re..._Material.html.
As far as the brake switch goes, remove the two wires and connect them together. If your brake lights come on with the two wires connected, the switch is probably the culprit - at least as far as your brake lights are concerned.
As Randy said, you'll need to work through the turn signal circuit starting at one end to find out where the voltage disappears. That's exactly how to go about it. Turn on your signals (one way or the other), and test for 12V at locations farther and farther away from the 12V supply at the turn signal switch. If you get all the way to the tail lamp, you definitely have a ground problem.
Good luck.
As far as the brake switch goes, remove the two wires and connect them together. If your brake lights come on with the two wires connected, the switch is probably the culprit - at least as far as your brake lights are concerned.
As Randy said, you'll need to work through the turn signal circuit starting at one end to find out where the voltage disappears. That's exactly how to go about it. Turn on your signals (one way or the other), and test for 12V at locations farther and farther away from the 12V supply at the turn signal switch. If you get all the way to the tail lamp, you definitely have a ground problem.
Good luck.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
thanks for the info Earl!
I tried connecting the 2 wires on the brake switch-still nothing
took off housing for each front blinker examnied socket and wires behind socket-both looked fine
tried blinker switch again-this time when I went up or down with blinker switch---the right light ONLY when on --but did not blink
Started trying to trace this wire mess(many splices by the front lights- under the dash is a MESS) & after several hours of no luck
tried the blinker switch and now neither works to come on at all --period.
Earl, I have an Ohmmeter-but how in the heck do at get at the wiring under (or in) the steering wheel where that darn blinker switch is??
Oh BTW I also replaced the #536 Flasher fuse HOPING that solved the issue of no blinkers/Brakes -NOPE!!
The Classic Iola Car show is comin gup here in Wisconsin next weekend-but my truck looks like its going to be stuck in the garage for quite some time I think
I tried connecting the 2 wires on the brake switch-still nothing
took off housing for each front blinker examnied socket and wires behind socket-both looked fine
tried blinker switch again-this time when I went up or down with blinker switch---the right light ONLY when on --but did not blink
Started trying to trace this wire mess(many splices by the front lights- under the dash is a MESS) & after several hours of no luck
tried the blinker switch and now neither works to come on at all --period.
Earl, I have an Ohmmeter-but how in the heck do at get at the wiring under (or in) the steering wheel where that darn blinker switch is??
Oh BTW I also replaced the #536 Flasher fuse HOPING that solved the issue of no blinkers/Brakes -NOPE!!
The Classic Iola Car show is comin gup here in Wisconsin next weekend-but my truck looks like its going to be stuck in the garage for quite some time I think
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Fleet Owner
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From: NM
Did you find the in-line fuse? That seems like the most likely culprit. You should have battery voltage at one of the brake light wires even with the ignition off.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
The turn signal switch is BURIED in the steering wheel , right? Would it be yet another pain in the ##$ and nightmare project on top of what I have cooking to get at and examine the turn signal switch??
The 4 inline fuses I found under the dash are all ok. The ignition is the farthest left on the dash (above the parking brake so I cant get at that without taking the parking brake all apart)
I think I'm going to wait until it fixes itself!
The 4 inline fuses I found under the dash are all ok. The ignition is the farthest left on the dash (above the parking brake so I cant get at that without taking the parking brake all apart)
I think I'm going to wait until it fixes itself!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
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From: Waynesville, OH
Todd, check Earl's World in my signature block below. I think on pages 8 and 9 there is a discussion of the steering wheel removal and some pictures of the turn signal switch. The signal switch may not be identical to yours. I don't remember it being a big deal to get the steering wheel and switch off - once I discovered the puller holes in the steering wheel hub and cleaned out the crud.
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Senior User
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
BACK IN BUSINESS!!!
Afet checking under the dash for about the 6th time, and after pulling the instrument panel, loooking down in the panel opening I saw a small fuse attached to(and hiden among wires)the back of the light switch. I pulled it and looked closely-it was'nt burned out but wwas cracked. I jumped the circuit with wire and WALA! it woors!!
Only after 2 days of frustration
Advance Auto had to special order the little sucker
A SFE6 in case you guys or gals ever lose your brake light and blinker signal.
thanks to your help on this!
Todd
Afet checking under the dash for about the 6th time, and after pulling the instrument panel, loooking down in the panel opening I saw a small fuse attached to(and hiden among wires)the back of the light switch. I pulled it and looked closely-it was'nt burned out but wwas cracked. I jumped the circuit with wire and WALA! it woors!!
Only after 2 days of frustration
Advance Auto had to special order the little sucker
A SFE6 in case you guys or gals ever lose your brake light and blinker signal.
thanks to your help on this!
Todd