Turn signal problems

[Paul Thomas]

My turn signals work intermitantly. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to why they work sometimes and not others. The relay is good, i don't want to spend $250 on a new switch. Is there a way to diagnose and fix the switch? It can't be very complex.

Paul

[PatrickB]

Original switch?

[Paul Thomas]

As far as i know, the switch is original.

[PatrickB]

Sorry I can't be more help, Paul...

I was lucky to not have that problem with my '70.

I'm having intermittent issues with the turn signal switch on my '85 though...

When headlights are on, and turn signal cancels after straightening out, my high beams go on Looks like I will be replacing the original switch in my '85 that is much younger than yours at 22 years old...

[Rouxzy]

Paul, I just had the same problem with mine. Checked out the switch, wiring, relays, etc. Turns out there was oxidation on a couple of my bulbs where they make contact. I took them out, cleaned them and sprayed WD-40 on all the contacts and the problem has gone away. Good Luck
Tom

[philippeF]

I've some troubles too :
the turning indicators are always lighting...
any idea ?

[KWIQSLVR]

i've had this problem before. turned out to be the relay in the trunk. took it out, cleaned it up and it worked fine for a while. then, same problem happened again, replaced relay and no problem. might want to start with the easy/cheap things first before taking apart the steering column.

[Paul Thomas]

Update:

I changed the relay, that wasn't it.

The bulbs work, because the hazards come on.

If the ignition is off and you turn the signal lever, the lights come on without blinking, so there must be some kind of signal.

I guess i will take off the steering wheel tonight and follow all of the wiring to make sure everything is hooked up. I would like to exhaust every posibility before i spring for a switch that they probably wont take back.

Thanks,
Paul

[mthomas58]

I just had my car into the dealer to troubleshoot and fix non-working parking lights on the passenger side (fuse would blow as soon as lights turned on) and a fast blinking turn signal on the same side.

I thought I had the problem diagnosed to the molex connecter at the rear tail light b/c if I disconnected it, the fuse would not blow.

The dealer never found a specific problem, but in the trouble shooting process (over 2 hours) the tech went through every connection in the harness (removed, cleaned as necessary and reconnected). Without being able to specifically identify where the problem was, when put back together, it worked. Oddly enough, he thinks it was a turn signal connector in the front headlight bucket.

The fast blink turned out being a failing flasher - had one kind of burnt connector.

My only advice: Disconnect, clean and reconnect every connection point (switch, wire connector, ground, bulb, etc) in the entire harness and see what happens.