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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
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.
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
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.
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