Turn signals question, please help!!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Turn signals question, please help!!
OK,
I'm trying to get a 1979 F-150 4X4 back on the road after ten years sitting and the headlights work, taillights and brakelights work, but the front running lights and turn signals do not work. The bulbs are good and there appears to be juice running to the lights as I used a light meter on the socket and it lit up..now on the dashboard, when I turn the signal on the indicator comes on and stays on until I cancel the signal, likewise when I turn the parking lights on, both indicators come on. Please help, I am totally ignorant when it comes to lighting. Thank you.
I'm trying to get a 1979 F-150 4X4 back on the road after ten years sitting and the headlights work, taillights and brakelights work, but the front running lights and turn signals do not work. The bulbs are good and there appears to be juice running to the lights as I used a light meter on the socket and it lit up..now on the dashboard, when I turn the signal on the indicator comes on and stays on until I cancel the signal, likewise when I turn the parking lights on, both indicators come on. Please help, I am totally ignorant when it comes to lighting. Thank you.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
"the front running lights and turn signals do not work."
Do you mean ALL the turn signals don't work? Do any of the bulbs light up when your try to operate the turn signals?
Did you check the front running lights with the switch in the parking light position? In some trucks the front running lights are off with the headlights on.
Did you try a different flasher unit?
Possibly the ground for the front lights is bad.
Do you mean ALL the turn signals don't work? Do any of the bulbs light up when your try to operate the turn signals?
Did you check the front running lights with the switch in the parking light position? In some trucks the front running lights are off with the headlights on.
Did you try a different flasher unit?
Possibly the ground for the front lights is bad.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 890
From: East Central Ia
Sounds like the same problem with my 78. Over the years I've replaced all of the bulb sockets. The ground wire inside the socket is made in 2 pieces and they corrode and rust. Sometimes you can push and pull on the ground wire enough to get it to work for awhile. You can check the ground by leaving the bulb in place, turn on the signal and use a jumper wire from ground and touch the ground contact around the bulb. You can get the replacement sockets at most of the auto parts places.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Sounds like my problems ,alot of weird stuff happens because of a weak ground.Check all ground straps from plug sockets/battery to frame/block.Securely attached wires dont always mean good grounds.Old rusted frames and body bolts are good contributers to poor grounds. All my signals worked great until I turned on my head lights,added new grounds from battery to different body points .Problem solved.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, Sask
...so the indicators come on and stay on? There's no *tick tick tick* noise? If there isn't, do what Bdox said, check the flasher unit. I'm pretty sure it's the same for the 79, but my 77 has 2 flasher units, one for hazards and one for signals. I couldn't figure out why I didn't have hazards for a long time. I switched the flasher units and presto, I found the problem. Just threw away the broken one and took a good one off of a parts truck.