4-way flashers, turn signals - ???

[Christien]

Ok, I'm completely baffled by the spaghetti factory of wiring underneath my dashboard. I've tried reconnecting, disconnecting, jumpering, magic incantations, and tons of searches here...

My 4-way flashers have not been working since I did some wiring work on the ignition, so I know I screwed something up. As it stands, my turn signals work with the 4-way flasher button pushed IN (which, IIRC, turns the 4-ways OFF - out=ON, right?) and the 4-way/parking brake light in the tach flashes constantly. When I push the button out, the flashing light stops blinking, but the 4-ways don't work. So I just tried to fix the wiring, but couldn't fix it. I looked under and found one unconnected wire (which came from the 4-way unit). I disconnected what turned out to be the turn signal wire and plugged the 4-way wire into the power supply wire that the turn signals were plugged into - the 4-ways worked properly, as expected, but of course the turn signals didn't work at all. At least I've eliminated the problem being with the relay (I think?). Anyway, it seemed to me that there should then be a loose power supply wire under the dash somewhere for the 4-ways (I reconnected the turn signal wire to that power supply wire so the turn signals work again, back to square 1). I looked everywhere under there, though, and couldn't find a spare wire. So I tried to jumper the power supply wire to both the turn signals AND the 4-way wires: 4 ways worked, turn signals didn't (with the 4 way button in and out, because I know the turn signals don't work when the 4-ways are engaged).

Man, I hate dealing with electrical stuff. Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks,
Chris

[Christien]

Monday morning bump...

[Christien]

Anybody?

[Brad01mc]

hi!

I would take a look at the wiring diagram and get a volt meter. I know it sounds crappy, but at least you will be able to figure out the wires and whether or not things are getting power when they should be.

I'm in the same boat. The PO did some weird things that I haven't addressed at this point. When I have the 4-way switch out, it clicks, but the lights in the dash don't work. If the switch is in, everything is fine. Also, when I pull on the high-beam stalk, it doesn't flash the lights.

Anyway, I know this doesn't really help, but just want to let you now that you're not alone out there!! and with some simple tools, lots of patience, you should be able to track this down quickly. I don't have a wiring diagram with me right now, so I'm not much use at this time.

Brad

[Dan Owens]

Okay I'm gonna guess that you have a wire that should be connected to the back of the ingnition switch that's fallen off and/or you've swapped the wires on the back incorrectly. That's evidenced by your 4 way switch wire that when you swap with the turn signal location makes the flashers work correctly. If I'm not mistaken there are a couple of lugs or pin outs on the back of the ignition that carry more than one wire. look for a wiring diagram for the back of the ignition switch and double check the pin to wire connections you have made.

Disclaimer: I am not a porsche mechanic nor do I play one on TV

[coldstart]

You could compare yours to mine next meet-- not that mine is that great as the front left signal/parking light is dead and I go through a set of bulbs/fuses every other month.

[DW SD]

flashing 12V+ power to the turn signal switch is provided from the flasher relay. It is also provided, in parallel, to the 4-way emergency switch.

I'd guess that your turn signal switch is either disconnected or broken.
Check for continuity between the switch and the flasher relay. I think it is the black / green / white wire, which is power for the turn signal switch from the relay.

Hope that helps,

Doug

[Christien]

Ok, I've come to the conclusion that I just screwed something up when I had the ignition wiring apart. There's definitely no spare wire kicking about in there. I'm not going to bother trying to track that mistake down because it's all going to come apart again when I fix/replace the ignition switch.

Is there any way to disable the light flashing on the dash? 4-way wire is disconnected (just hanging there), button pushed in (meaning disengaged), turn signals work, but the idiot light flashes because it realizes there's no power to/from the 4-ways. I don't want to just unplug the bulb or something in the dash, because it might need to come on for some other problem.

Thanks.

[coldstart]

My humble electrical opinion is to unplug the bulb until you fix your ignition switch. Call it incentive.

I also am having strange electrical problems. All 4 of my brake lights work with the headlights on but not with my headlights off. HOWEVER, all of my turn signals work with the headlights off but not with the headlights on. I normally drive with the lights on as i feel that brake lights are more important. Strange 72 electricals....

Chris, how is the 944 coming along????

[Christien]

I had weird wiring to the headlights in my car when I got it - basically high-beam and regulars wired for the opposite. No wonder so many people used to flash their lights at me! Weird stuff can definitely happen with these old cars.

The 944 isn't coming far. Much worse electrical problems over there. I hate electrical problems.