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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 12:53 PM
  #1  
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78 f250 question

so i just bought a 78 f250 4x4. and the blinkers do not work. i replaced the flasher and all the bulbs. it flashes sometimes but only some of the lights. and does not work at all when the head lights are on. am i in for inding the missing wires kind of job or is there just soething simple im missing
 
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 01:05 PM
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I would look for a ground problem
 
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 01:21 PM
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Remove the tailights and check inside the sockets of the light.

They should have some grease in them to prevent corrsion and groundout through the opposite circuit.

Ground wires maybe rotted out or broken
 
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 02:28 PM
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I think its a contact/ground problem as gbrett said.

If you have test light, use it to see if the signal is getting to the socket. If so check the gound.
 
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 02:57 PM
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get a wiring diagram, and check to see if the turn signal relay picks up power or grounds through the headlight switch, I don't have mine with me right now so I can't confirm this, but because they sometimes work with the lights off and not at all with them on then thats a good start..99% of all electrical issues I deal with are either poor grounds or poor contacts within a switch or socket.

Once you learn how to read a wiring diagram its very easy to self diagnose electrical problems, kinda like a road map of your truck (only easier). What I like to do is make a couple of photo copies of your diagram and trace the circuit your working on with a highlighter, use different colors for different circuits so as not to get confused, and don't trace too many start a new photo copy, I've done this with Ferrari and Porsche diagrams which can cover 10-12 different pages and when open each page are 2 ft long. Its a simple system, and once you realize how relatively simple it is, it can be rewarding, especially on these old trucks, and when its your own vehicle. I still get excited when I troubleshoot my truck.
 
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 06:13 PM
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i looked and i couldnt find anything missing no fraid wires nothing not connected. everything in the front works. except when you turn the lights on the blinkers stop. one of the rear brake lights worked last nigth and now it doesnt. nothing in the rear works. i changed all the bulbs and the flashers and still nothing. no blown fuse i can see. i dont really know and am not good with electrical work at all
 
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Old Aug 18, 2007 | 09:26 PM
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well if your rear is not working you might not have enough load to trip your flasher
 
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Old Aug 19, 2007 | 12:30 AM
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Last edited by Mil1ion; Aug 19, 2007 at 12:35 AM.
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Old Aug 19, 2007 | 02:53 AM
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Dennis, you are the man!
 
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Old Aug 19, 2007 | 07:07 AM
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stupid question, as sometimes we over look the obvious, did you check bulbs? is the flasher good/ new?
 
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Old Aug 19, 2007 | 07:57 AM
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Thumbs up Ok i had the same problem


First the possible dead ground is more then likely fact, This might sound crazy but under your passenger side rear of your truck there is a plug for all your rear lights. Unplug it and clean it with rubbing alcohol then do the same with the plugs for your lights on each fender wall under the hood. take all your bulbs out and clean and scrape the contacts so that you have fresh contacts. If you have a multi meter read the grounds out in each socket. that is nothing more then reading out the metal part of the socket. Pretty sure that will help just let me know.
 

Last edited by losttxn; Aug 19, 2007 at 08:00 AM. Reason: pics
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