Turn signal relay in a 71?

[project 911]

Hi all-

My turn signals just quit working in my 71T. 4-way flashers work, fuses are fine and all other lights. I just pulled the switch from the column and can't find any damage.
Does anyone know if there is a relay for the blinkers?
If so, where might I find it?


Thanks for any help.
I hate being kept off the road for dumb stuff like this!

[fintstone]

Open your front trunk and remove the cardboard like panel that protects the back ofr you gauges/dash wiring. Look to the far right. You can probably hear it if you turn your 4-way flasher. That usually is not the problem if emergency flasher is working though since both use the same flasher. It is usually the lever/switch. Sometimes a broken wire.

[project 911]

Thanks fintstone,

At least I can stop hunting for relays. The wires and contacts at the switch looked fine, but I guess that doesn't mean it couldn't be bad.
Guess I'll start testing wires.

Thanks for the help.

[jpnovak]

Even easier is to pull the oil pressure/temp guage. Its right behind. Held on by a 10mm(?) fasterner.

Pop off the cover and clean the contacts to the mechanical relay. Worked wonders for my car.

A search will give you more info than I can remember at the moment.

[fintstone]

If you do a search, there have been a couple of good troubleshooting threads on this recently

[project 911]

Good suggestions-

Does the fact that the emergency flashers work, mean that the problem isn't with bulb sockets, bulbs, signal housing grounds etc?

I just tried another flasher relay from a newer model, and still have no turn signals, but the green arrows on the dash blink with the emergency flashers, where they didn't with the old relay... Not sure what that tells me.
I'll do another search, and keep cleaning contacts. Hate to loose a weekends driving over this.

[fintstone]

I don't have a schematic for a '71, but most P-cars use a different fuse for the flasher than the turn signals since the turn signals typically only work when the key is on (switched power) whilke the hazards work on unswitched. Perhaps that would be a place to start if you have not already checked that.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by project 911
Good suggestions-

Does the fact that the emergency flashers work, mean that the problem isn't with bulb sockets, bulbs, signal housing grounds etc?

Usually that is the case. Typically worn out contacts in the switch or sometimes the wire providing the power for the flasher relay when using the Turn signals as the relay uses a different source for the flasher...see last post.

[project 911]

Good idea. I have a schematic that I'll go through tonight.

[project 911]

Just figured out that my brake lights are out too. Hmmm...

[fintstone]

Hey, I was going to ask you if they were out. They are on the same fuse as the turn signals (not the hazard flasher). It is probably the fuse or a bad connection where the wire comes off the fuse.

[fintstone]

Try nthis link
Flashers = not | | Emergency = yes -> Whats up?

[project 911]

Thanks for staying with me on this.

I'm going to go through the fuses this morning to see if that is where the problem is. Fintstone- That helps to know that both are on the same fuse.
No wonder I almost got rearended when I came home the other night!
I'll let you know what I find.

[project 911]

Problem solved!

Well, after going through the fuses with a ohm meter, I found that the fuse for the turn signals and brake lights read about 26 ohms. When I took the fuse out to test, it showed no reading on the meter. After looking VERY closely at it I found that one end had coroded and cracked, but was still making some contact. The pic below shows more of a gap at the break than was originally visible since I picked at it a little.

Lesson learned: Check the easy stuff really well first! Test the fuses, don't just do a visual check.

I just assumed that this problem would be like all the others with this car. The most complicated and expensive possibility would be the one I'd end up with. Nice to get a braek once in a while.

Thanks everyone-

[fintstone]

Congrats! They all seem tough when you start and simple when you are done. Good job!
Stoney