Weird wiring question
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
Weird wiring question
I put a new turn signal switch in my truck, and every thing works except the right turn signals.
Before I replaced the switch the right front worked, but the right rear did not.
I had brake lights before and I have brake lights now.
I would say that I have messed up one wire, but how could this be considering the symptom?
So where would you all start the search? Let me know.
Before I replaced the switch the right front worked, but the right rear did not.
I had brake lights before and I have brake lights now.
I would say that I have messed up one wire, but how could this be considering the symptom?
So where would you all start the search? Let me know.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
I bought a brand new switch from Ford. The wires all matched in basic color from the old to the new switch. I am using a Ez-wire harness because the original harness was burned up when I bought the truck. I know I have all the wires connected correctly, I just don't know how I could have screwed up 2 wires on the same side of the truck. One wire on each side I would buy, but not 2 from the same side. What I am wondering is does anyone have more experience with this type of thing enough to tell me if this symptom could ever come from one wire being lose.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
Okay, so I have brain damage. Old trucks will make you crazy you know. I had the front and rear signal lamp wires crossed, and that makes them not work. I got them changed back and now the right rear turn doesn't work again. That is why I replaced the turn signal switch.
So does anyone have any idea what else would cause the right rear signal lamp to not work as a turn signal, but work as a brake light? I really don't have any idea on this one.
So does anyone have any idea what else would cause the right rear signal lamp to not work as a turn signal, but work as a brake light? I really don't have any idea on this one.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Highlands Ranch CO.
Sounds like a wire is touching a piece of metal there is a bad ground some where? I would check all wiring from the tail light to inside the cab
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From: Spokane, WA
I just went thru this with my re-wiring. I replaced the turn signal switch in my '62 (the wires were correct colors.) My brake lights were giving me fits until I trouble-shot the switch itself, which had an intermittent bad connection to where a brake wire went into the switch housing. When I tightened the switch down with the screws, the brakes lights failed. If not too tight, the lights worked. So I soldered the connection; so far it's still working. I also found out front turn signal wires can be crossed giving you a real bright non-functioning turn signal.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
Okay, so I guess I need to give all the wire info from bow to stern. I bought a EZ-wire harness, and so there are no old wires in the truck. I would go with a bad ground or something but wouldn't that also apply to the brake lights? I just put a brand new turn signal switch in it that I bought from Ford. (So not some cheap knock off or a used part. I just don't get it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 938
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From: Bishop, CA
I think Daddywags is on the right track. It's gotta be in the switch, new or not.
The brake and t/s use the same wire from the t/s switch to the back of the truck. If the brake light works, then the wire, bulb and socket are good. Also, the wire from the brake light switch to the t/s switch is good or the brake light wouldn't work, either.
Only thing left is the t/s switch. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a new part be bad right out of the box.
The brake and t/s use the same wire from the t/s switch to the back of the truck. If the brake light works, then the wire, bulb and socket are good. Also, the wire from the brake light switch to the t/s switch is good or the brake light wouldn't work, either.
Only thing left is the t/s switch. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a new part be bad right out of the box.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Highlands Ranch CO.
I think Daddywags is on the right track. It's gotta be in the switch, new or not.
The brake and t/s use the same wire from the t/s switch to the back of the truck. If the brake light works, then the wire, bulb and socket are good. Also, the wire from the brake light switch to the t/s switch is good or the brake light wouldn't work, either.
Only thing left is the t/s switch. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a new part be bad right out of the box.
The brake and t/s use the same wire from the t/s switch to the back of the truck. If the brake light works, then the wire, bulb and socket are good. Also, the wire from the brake light switch to the t/s switch is good or the brake light wouldn't work, either.
Only thing left is the t/s switch. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen a new part be bad right out of the box.
I dont think so, because the truck was doing it before he bought a new switch! So that leads me to believe its in the truck somewhere?
Broom, brake lights and turn signals are different from each other. In that just because one might work doesnt mean the other one will. I would be checking all wiring from tail lights to inside the cab and fuse box. And yes even a bad bulb can mess things up or even a wrong one....food for thought.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
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Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
Well, I looked at the diagrams and the truck last night and so today I am going to switch the two rear wires. If the problem follows the wire then it is the truck. If the problem stays with the switch then it is the switch new or not.
Thoughts??
Thoughts??
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 825
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From: Dallas, Texas
Bum,
I started to answer last night but was too tired after thinking about the problem.
Both OldCrow/Daddywags and SixtySix Ford are right. All the problems have been considered and discounted, so therefore the right T/S should work! ...But it doesn't!
Your idea about switching wires is the best one at this point! Maybe both old and new T/S switches were bad. Seems unlikely, but unless it is the same problem of overtightening the switch or some other strange problem that no one can guess, what else could it be?
Good luck!
I started to answer last night but was too tired after thinking about the problem.
Both OldCrow/Daddywags and SixtySix Ford are right. All the problems have been considered and discounted, so therefore the right T/S should work! ...But it doesn't!
Your idea about switching wires is the best one at this point! Maybe both old and new T/S switches were bad. Seems unlikely, but unless it is the same problem of overtightening the switch or some other strange problem that no one can guess, what else could it be?
Good luck!
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
I did 2 checks today.
Before Left rear, front and indicator all worked. Right front and indicator worked, and right rear did not. Both Right and Left work when you hit the brakes.
I switched the Left rear and Right rear wires at the turn signal switch. So if everything works correctly the Right front and indicator should work with the left rear, and the left front and indicator should work with the right rear.
After Left front, indicator, and Right rear work. Right front, indicator work and Left rear does not. Both Right and Left work when you hit the brakes.
Second I checked the voltage coming from the switch. Right front and Left front blink at 6 volts. Left rear blinks at 6 volts, and Right rear shows no volts Both Right and Left show at 6 volts when you hit the brakes.
This pretty much certifies that the brand new switch I bought from Ford is bad in the same exact way my last one was doesn't it??
Before Left rear, front and indicator all worked. Right front and indicator worked, and right rear did not. Both Right and Left work when you hit the brakes.
I switched the Left rear and Right rear wires at the turn signal switch. So if everything works correctly the Right front and indicator should work with the left rear, and the left front and indicator should work with the right rear.
After Left front, indicator, and Right rear work. Right front, indicator work and Left rear does not. Both Right and Left work when you hit the brakes.
Second I checked the voltage coming from the switch. Right front and Left front blink at 6 volts. Left rear blinks at 6 volts, and Right rear shows no volts Both Right and Left show at 6 volts when you hit the brakes.
This pretty much certifies that the brand new switch I bought from Ford is bad in the same exact way my last one was doesn't it??