Turn signals not working...Help!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Beatrice, NE
Turn signals not working...Help!
My turn signals quit working, both RH & LH. The 4-way flashers work, so I'm assuming the bulbs and the flasher assembly in the fuse panel are not the problem. My guess is that the switch inside the steering column broke, however, the lever still locks into position and self cancels as normal. Does anyone know what's in there, how it's made or what would need replaced? I would prefer to only pull the steering wheel off once to fix it! My truck is a '97 F250HD, so it doesn't have an airbag.....which is good for ease of removing the wheel, but I hope it doesn't have some rare odd-ball type of switch. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland,OH
IF you have the wiring diagram see if the turn signals and hazards share the same flasher if they share the same flasher then most likely its the multi function switch, i'm not sure how to get to it on a '97.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Beatrice, NE
Truck SHOULD be the same as a '95 or '96. The 15A fuse is good. The only flasher relay I can find is in the bottom RH corner of the fuse panel. It's labeled "turn signal indicator flasher" right on the fuse panel cover. When I turn on the 4-ways you can hear and feel the contacts inside it work (on-off-on-off-etc.). If I unplug it, the 4-ways don't work. Now...when I turn on the turn signals, I can hear and feel the contacts "click" ONCE, but the arrow lights on the dash don't come on and the outside lights don't come on at all. When I turn it off, I can hear & feel it "click" once again. I assumed that the contacts were closing & staying closed (by the one click issue) but I would think the lights would turn on and stay on if that were the case.
Is it possible the flasher is weak and works with the higher load of the 4-ways, but not with the reduced load of just 2 bulbs for the turn signals??
Could a failing or weak switch in the column cause these symptoms?
Where is the seperate relay you spoke of?
Is it possible the flasher is weak and works with the higher load of the 4-ways, but not with the reduced load of just 2 bulbs for the turn signals??
Could a failing or weak switch in the column cause these symptoms?
Where is the seperate relay you spoke of?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
whats the flasher number, if i remember correctly i think the 97's had a 552 (or was it a 522?) the color should I think be a forest green almost, some also had a light aqua blue which i think was a 442 flasher (i think) which I want to say was in 98+ the wagner flasher, will make a slow click...click...click noise the 4 way flasher (at least in my truck) is a seperate unit located some place else you may have a combined flasher tho, I would suggest pulling your turn signal flasher and test the 4way that way you will know for sure if your flasher is for turn signals only or if its one for both turn signals and 4way (which it should be just turn signals)
another test you can try to see if its a bad flasher is grab a FL/EL12 "no load" flasher from auto zone or some place like that and pop it in to see if your lights start to work
another test you can try to see if its a bad flasher is grab a FL/EL12 "no load" flasher from auto zone or some place like that and pop it in to see if your lights start to work
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Beatrice, NE
It's a round, silver, aluminum Wagner #552 (or maybe 522)........
Anyway, yes....the contactors inside are working when the 4-ways are on and when I pulled it out the 4-ways quit working. I'm thinking I should be able to test the switch by checking for power at the terminal in the fuse panel, but I don't know which terminal, how much voltage, etc.. and don't have a wiring diagram or manual for this truck.
Anyway, yes....the contactors inside are working when the 4-ways are on and when I pulled it out the 4-ways quit working. I'm thinking I should be able to test the switch by checking for power at the terminal in the fuse panel, but I don't know which terminal, how much voltage, etc.. and don't have a wiring diagram or manual for this truck.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Beatrice, NE
OK............so I'M A MORON!!!!!!! 
There are 2 relays (both #522). One for the turn signals and one for the 4-ways.
The one for the 4-ways is directly behind the relay for the turn signals, on the back side of the fuse panel and even plugs into the back side of the same terminals. What I was feeling and hearing was actually the relay for the 4-ways that was hidden behind the panel. The noise & vibration was transferring through to the turn signal relay, LOL. I swapped the relays and now the turn signals work but the 4-ways don't.........looks like all I need is a new relay!!
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
There are 2 relays (both #522). One for the turn signals and one for the 4-ways.
The one for the 4-ways is directly behind the relay for the turn signals, on the back side of the fuse panel and even plugs into the back side of the same terminals. What I was feeling and hearing was actually the relay for the 4-ways that was hidden behind the panel. The noise & vibration was transferring through to the turn signal relay, LOL. I swapped the relays and now the turn signals work but the 4-ways don't.........looks like all I need is a new relay!!
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
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
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
OK............so I'M A MORON!!!!!!!
There are 2 relays (both #522). One for the turn signals and one for the 4-ways.
The one for the 4-ways is directly behind the relay for the turn signals, on the back side of the fuse panel and even plugs into the back side of the same terminals. What I was feeling and hearing was actually the relay for the 4-ways that was hidden behind the panel. The noise & vibration was transferring through to the turn signal relay, LOL. I swapped the relays and now the turn signals work but the 4-ways don't.........looks like all I need is a new relay!!
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
There are 2 relays (both #522). One for the turn signals and one for the 4-ways.
The one for the 4-ways is directly behind the relay for the turn signals, on the back side of the fuse panel and even plugs into the back side of the same terminals. What I was feeling and hearing was actually the relay for the 4-ways that was hidden behind the panel. The noise & vibration was transferring through to the turn signal relay, LOL. I swapped the relays and now the turn signals work but the 4-ways don't.........looks like all I need is a new relay!!
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
THAT'S what I was getting at. I'm glad you figured it out. Simple problem, simple fix.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
OK............so I'M A MORON!!!!!!!
There are 2 relays (both #522). One for the turn signals and one for the 4-ways.
The one for the 4-ways is directly behind the relay for the turn signals, on the back side of the fuse panel and even plugs into the back side of the same terminals. What I was feeling and hearing was actually the relay for the 4-ways that was hidden behind the panel. The noise & vibration was transferring through to the turn signal relay, LOL. I swapped the relays and now the turn signals work but the 4-ways don't.........looks like all I need is a new relay!!
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
There are 2 relays (both #522). One for the turn signals and one for the 4-ways.
The one for the 4-ways is directly behind the relay for the turn signals, on the back side of the fuse panel and even plugs into the back side of the same terminals. What I was feeling and hearing was actually the relay for the 4-ways that was hidden behind the panel. The noise & vibration was transferring through to the turn signal relay, LOL. I swapped the relays and now the turn signals work but the 4-ways don't.........looks like all I need is a new relay!!
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
so i was able to help pin point the issue to the flasher
glad i could help figure it out and glad to hear they are 522s i knew it was something like that 
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Beatrice, NE
LOL, I looked all over the truck & under the hood for the second relay. I even looked under the dash, but they have it tucked up so close behind the fuse panel you have to be laying on the floorboard looking straight up to see it. It actually plugs in to the back side of the fuse panel. That's too hard of a position for an overweight middle-aged man like me to get into! I even swear when I pulled the turn signal relay the first time that the 4-ways didn't work.....evidently I didn't push the Hazzard button down all the way!
I just put the flasher relay into the turn signal position, so now I have turn signals but no flashers until I buy another relay. Since I use the flashers once every 3 years, I'll probably never buy one.
I just put the flasher relay into the turn signal position, so now I have turn signals but no flashers until I buy another relay. Since I use the flashers once every 3 years, I'll probably never buy one.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
hey im a small size thin guy and i have issues getting up under the dash my self...so i know what you mean man now i just need to figure where its located on a 95 model LOL and pull mine and replace it with a no load unit...
now i just need to figure where its located on a 95 model LOL and pull mine and replace it with a no load unit...
