Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Spokane
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
I'm hoping one of the gurus here can help get started in the right direction. Here's the facts:
1977 F250 2W 400 Auto
Headlights work fine, brights work fine.
running lights all work fine - all around
backup lights work fine - both sides
with the lights off:
the driverside turn signal flashes - front and rear
the passengerside turn signal lights but doesn't flash - front and rear.
with the lights on:
the drivers side turn signal lights but doesn't flash
the passenger side turn signal does nothing
emergency flashers behave the same as above
when I bought the truck a few days ago the dash lights worked but were very dim.
now they don't work at all - and I did nothing so far.
1977 F250 2W 400 Auto
Headlights work fine, brights work fine.
running lights all work fine - all around
backup lights work fine - both sides
with the lights off:
the driverside turn signal flashes - front and rear
the passengerside turn signal lights but doesn't flash - front and rear.
with the lights on:
the drivers side turn signal lights but doesn't flash
the passenger side turn signal does nothing
emergency flashers behave the same as above
when I bought the truck a few days ago the dash lights worked but were very dim.
now they don't work at all - and I did nothing so far.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
My guess is it's the signal switch. It's a short wiring harness in the steering column. You have to take off the steering wheel to get to it. Their about $70 from the dealer.
New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
>My guess is it's the signal switch. It's a short wiring
>harness in the steering column. You have to take off the
>steering wheel to get to it. Their about $70 from the
>dealer.
If you want to try something a little cheaper first, try changing the dimmer switch. I know it sounds nuts, but I've seen them do weird stuff like that when they're bad, and they're only about 10 bucks.
>harness in the steering column. You have to take off the
>steering wheel to get to it. Their about $70 from the
>dealer.
If you want to try something a little cheaper first, try changing the dimmer switch. I know it sounds nuts, but I've seen them do weird stuff like that when they're bad, and they're only about 10 bucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
Does either of the turn signal indicators light up when the lights are on and the turn signals off?
It sounds to me like the famous "floating ground" for the turn signal lights. The ground is a black wire that runs to the rad support for the front lights, same place as the headlights ground. In the rear it is right behind the light assembly, you have to remove the assembly to see it.
Check and clean these ground studs, as well as the lights sockets themselves. Corroded light sockets usually cause this problem.
Sparky
It sounds to me like the famous "floating ground" for the turn signal lights. The ground is a black wire that runs to the rad support for the front lights, same place as the headlights ground. In the rear it is right behind the light assembly, you have to remove the assembly to see it.
Check and clean these ground studs, as well as the lights sockets themselves. Corroded light sockets usually cause this problem.
Sparky
New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12
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From: Columbus USA
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
[p]I had a similar problem but the dash signal light would stay on and the turn signal would not blink. The dash light might be affected though by a short. [/p]
[p]I found a post on this when my problem occurred that said it could be a ground problem or the signal light socket bad. I checked the ground and even cleaned the end on the ground wire up at the front turn signal light with no luck. When I replaced the socket with a new one my problem was resolved for a while until the connection became loose where I crimped the wires together. I resolved the connection problem by soldering the wires together. I have not had a problem since. The socket was about seven dollars. I would suggest you look at the metal contact points of the socket to see if they have rusted.[/p]
[p]Good luck and post back when you locate the problem.[/p]
[p]I found a post on this when my problem occurred that said it could be a ground problem or the signal light socket bad. I checked the ground and even cleaned the end on the ground wire up at the front turn signal light with no luck. When I replaced the socket with a new one my problem was resolved for a while until the connection became loose where I crimped the wires together. I resolved the connection problem by soldering the wires together. I have not had a problem since. The socket was about seven dollars. I would suggest you look at the metal contact points of the socket to see if they have rusted.[/p]
[p]Good luck and post back when you locate the problem.[/p]
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Spokane
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Mar-02 AT 10:34 AM (EST)]Thanks...
I'm going to tear into it this weekend. Since the dash lights went out completely now, I'll start with the dimmer switch. Then try some of the other suggestions. BTW - how tough is it to find salvage lense covers for the it? The front turn signal and rear lense are cracked clear across. Coincidentally, both on the passenger side where the blickers don't work at all.
I'm going to tear into it this weekend. Since the dash lights went out completely now, I'll start with the dimmer switch. Then try some of the other suggestions. BTW - how tough is it to find salvage lense covers for the it? The front turn signal and rear lense are cracked clear across. Coincidentally, both on the passenger side where the blickers don't work at all.
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Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
Quite easily where I live.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
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Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Spokane
Lights, Flashers, PROBLEMS! where to start ?
OK - All fixed. I need to be more specific next time I ask for advise so no one assumes I actually know anything about anything...
I replaced the dimmer switch just for grins cos it was onlt $7, replaced all the fused just for good measure and when the binkers still wouldn't blink I replaced THE FLASHER. Humm..
Well anyway every thing works now except the right side indicator light in the dash, but I'm pretty sure thats a bulb.
Thanks for the replies.
I replaced the dimmer switch just for grins cos it was onlt $7, replaced all the fused just for good measure and when the binkers still wouldn't blink I replaced THE FLASHER. Humm..
Well anyway every thing works now except the right side indicator light in the dash, but I'm pretty sure thats a bulb.
Thanks for the replies.
