LF turn signal not flashing...

Doug&Julie · 02-01-2006, 03:19 AM

Drove the ol' T this morning and noticed my left front turn signal isn't flashing. The left rear flashes normally and I don't get that erratic flash speed that one can get when this happens. The relay was replaced not too long ago (about 450 miles) but was also replaced by the P.O. shortly before I bought the car. I haven't checked the bulbs, but when I got out to look this morning, it didn't look like any LF bulbs were burned out. The right side all works as expected.

Any ideas before digging in?

Thanks.

bkreigsr · 02-01-2006, 04:38 AM

mine did the same thing, but on the rf. had to take the assy out & clean up all the accumulated gray fuzzy electrical build up to get a good contact with the new bulb base and the bodywork

Doug&Julie · 02-01-2006, 04:39 AM

Thanks. I have a feeling mine is something like that.

Has anyone ever had an early 911 w/o turn signal problems?!?!? I seem to have had them for all of my early cars...what a headache.

Paulporsche · 02-01-2006, 04:40 AM

Wiring or connection?

bkreigsr · 02-01-2006, 06:07 AM

wiring seems to stay okay, its the connections that loose their conductivity (?) over time. I also replaced the seal 'while I was in there'
with all the turn signal problems for the old ones, at least P gives us a heads-up when the indicators start to go in sync, or not at all
Bill K

c911s · 02-01-2006, 09:42 AM

I have both left signals out, also low beam fuse blowing on left side - oh joy!!

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

if the relay's good, got to be the bulb or socket connection.
ryan

rallyracer · 02-01-2006, 10:41 AM

Doug&Julie

Had the same issue recently. Swapped bulbs/cleaned contacts and nothing. I remember the wiring tying into something else (can't remember what). I replaced all of my fuses under trunk and engine bay and no more problem. That was the 4th fuse in 2 months to cause a problem (even got pulled over for headlight out-fuse), so I replaced them all out of spite!

David

Doug&Julie · 02-01-2006, 10:43 AM

Thanks David (and all). Maybe I'll start at the fuses then. It's really odd because the front lamp looks like all of the bulbs are working properly...there's just no "flash".

Have I mentioned I hate electronics? (..and it's not like it's a modern complicated car either!)

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

still, the flash filament could be burned out, doug..be sure to just try a new bulb or swap right and left ones and see what happens.
ryan

Doug&Julie · 02-01-2006, 10:51 AM

Will do! I actually have plenty of bulbs around...

cbeers · 02-01-2006, 11:49 AM

Mine was behaving the exact same way. Took the front housing all apart, cleaned it up, replaced the bulb (even though the old one looked fine) and now it works. Can't help with WHAT exactly it was, but it's all about 20 minutes of work max.

-Chris

BK911 · BK911's Garage

I used a dremmel with a little wire brush bit to clean all the contact terminals in the housing. Then I used some sand paper on the bulb and everything started working. I also used a little pick to pull out the contact terminals in the housing a little bit. The left front and rear are on the same fuse, so you wouldn't have either if the fuse was burnt out.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

thinking the marker and turn signal filaments are both in the same bulb? if so, it's just gotta be the bulb..but you'll know soon enough, doug.
ryan

bkreigsr · 02-01-2006, 12:47 PM

Doug, advise against using bulbs that you have lying around. that was my problem, I replaced with one (several) from my elec drawer and when it still did not fix, looked elsewhere. Later, plugged in a new one from Manny, Moe & Jack, and it fired right up. had the same problem with the 3rd light on wife's camry there is a thread somewhere here on the proper voltage/amperage for those sockets. all 1156s are not created equal.

Doug&Julie · 02-02-2006, 03:23 AM

The bulbs I have "laying around" are new...I remember buying some for the '72 T to have as back-ups. But to be sure, if they don't work either, I'll double check using the right front bulb, which I know works.

I meant to get to it last night, but....

And now I'm not sure I'll even get to it this weekend. Who says people have more free time in winter?!?!

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Keep in mind that the ground path is throught the housing, the mounting screws and then into the body. If you have any crud building up on any of the connections in that path the system won't work. I had similar problems in my LR, and they all went away after I took everything apart (housing out of the body, etc), cleaned it up and put it all back.

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

More or less the same problems here on my 78SC. Took rear light fixture apart and checked wiring. Checked bulbs on the front and now it blows the parking/running light fuse. With that blown the turn signals work fine. Some hot wire in the running light circuit is grounding out I guess. Wiring issues are always a nightmare.

redz350 · 02-02-2006, 03:20 PM

I had a similar problem. It was caused by a blown fuse. I believe your car has a fuse that is just for the left front directional signal. Good luck.

Doug&Julie · 02-03-2006, 01:58 PM

Boy do I feel dumb. First of all, it was just the bulb. I swapped it with the passenger bulb and all worked fine. Of course, I ran out to get new bulbs (because the ones I had "laying around" were 1156, not 1157) and now I can't get either one in. I'm afraid to twist too hard for fear of breaking the bulb. I noticed that the bulbs I bought had round "nodes" while the bulb in the RF turn signal had eliptical or cat's-eye looking "nodes"...which I would assume would go in easier. Is this particular to any specific brand? Should I be able to pick those up an any auto parts store?

Thanks for helping with my dumb little problem.

(I did mention I hate stupid electrical problems!!!)