Help - directionals not working after replacing switch/stalk

[Bailey]

My high beams were staying on all the time and it appeared that the switch was bad. I replaced the switch/directional stalk with a part purchased from our host, and installed per directions in Wayne's book. It was pretty easy. Now the high beams work but not the directionals. I replaced each wire one at a time so as to not mess it up. Any idea where I went wrong? There were 2 bundles of wires, one with a plug on the end and another wire, and one with 4 wires plus a couple other connections that plugged in the back of the light switch I think. Any help would be much appreciated as I hate it when people don't use blinkers, and I don't want to look like one of them. Which wire(s) controls the turn signals?

Bailey

[fintstone]

Do the headlights hi/lo and emergency flasher work ok?

[Bailey]

Hi/lo headlights appear to be working. Hazrds do not work. Ideas? Thanks.

[Bailey]

Any ideas. Arm is getting tired giving signals and I hope it doesn't rain.

[Icemaster]

Checked the relay/fuses?

[fintstone]

I would check a black/white/green wire between the turn signal stalk and the emergency flasher for a good connection.

[fintstone]

Also doublecheck the round, six pin bulkhead connector you plugged in. Make sure it is turned so that the key is lined up and it is pressed all the way in.

Do you have a voltmeter or testlight?

[Bailey]

Thanks Fintstone. All connections seem good. I have a voltmeter but really don't know how to use it. As mentioned earlier, lights, hi and low, work. Could turn signals and e-flasher not work if I made wrong connections with the 4 wires that go on the back of the light pull switch? What about the wire in the steering column? I think it was a ground for the horn. It was attached at the botton right screw for the steering column cover under the steering wheel. At first I forgot to reconnect and thought this was my problem but it didn't solve it.

Thanks again,

Bailey

[Jim Sims]

Did you disconnect the battery ground before doing this work; if not you may have blown the turn signal circuit fuses. Check them. Do the flashers work with the lights off? Did you do anything else such as replace or clean bulbs in the turn signal housings? Jim

[Bailey]

Jim - I was not smart and lazy and did not disconnect the battery as I knew I should have. I checked the turn signal fusus in the panel in the trunk and they looked ok. Are there other fuses (circuit fuses) that are elsewhere.

Thanks.

[Bailey]

And no, the flashers don't work at all, lights on or off. Appreciate the help. I really like this board - such a huge help.

[Jim Sims]

Do the running lights (some call them parking lights) work? Jim

[Bailey]

yes.

[Jim Sims]

We're playing 20 questions but that's the way remote troubleshooting goes. Now if you leave a turn signal on, say for a left turn, and turn the car off (key to the off position) does a light stay lit on that side (front and rear)? The closest wiring diagram I have on hand is from 1985 but it appears you may have missed connecting a black/white/green wire (wire is marked with all three colors) from the turn signal harness to terminal 49a of the emergency flasher switch. There may be a "piggyback lug" on this terminal which allows two wires to be connected to it. Failure to connect this black/white/green wire will preclude emergency flasher and turn signal operation as the flashing circuit operates through this wire. Check for a loose or misconnected wire. Cheers, Jim

[fintstone]

Do your back-up and brake lights work?
If you cannot find a loose wire or wrong connection, you should consider Jim's suggestion that you could have caused a problem by not disconnecting the battery. Don't feel bad, most of us take shortcuts too. Since you have a voltmeter you should start by testing the flasher. First, find the flasher relay. Unplug it from it's socket. There should be several pins C, 31 49,49a. put a small piece of masking tape on the top of the relay and mark on it where each pin is...C,31,49,49a. Plug the relay back in about half way so you can stll see each contact. turn on your emergency flasher button and you should observe 49-12v(or test light on), 31 ground (or test light off), C switching between 0 and 12v (or test light flashing, 49a flashing between 0 and 12v (or test light flashing). If this is correct, your flasher relay is good. Next, turn off the emergency flasher, turn your key to accessory and turn on either turn signal. You should get exactly the same. You will probably hear the flasher relay clicking.

To use the voltmeter.....turn it to DC Volts (not amps or ohms). Set the range to 20v or higher. Practice measuring battery voltage to ensure you are doing it correctly. Put the black lead on ground (either the neg terminal or a clean unpainted metal part of the chassis) and the red one on the pos terminal. You should read approx 12 v. The put the black lead on ground and touch the red one to the metal part of the wire or pin you wish to measure and note the reading.