help, help electrical problem. tried search

[krd]

my flashers works, but my turn signals do not, they stay lit and do not flash. when headlights are off they don't work at all i checked the grounds, all seem ok. what is a good way to check the ground (ohm meter)?

[RWebb]

take the gnds apart:

- clean

- treat all metal in contact with strong acetic acid until shiny [use wet cotton ball with saran wrap to cover]

- smear w/ tiny amt. dielectric [use that as search term]

- reassemble

start w/ones closest to "bad" parts

[krd]

yea, tried that i cleaned all the contacts in the light housings.

[fintstone]

Typically if the flasher works for either the hazard lights or the turn signal...you can eliminate it as the problem since it does the same function for both. It just uses a different source of power. First try reseating the bulkhead connectors...that is easy and might save a lot of work. Look under the dash, directly behind the hazard flasher...there are several six pin bulkhead connectors plugged into the firewall. 1 has most wires comming from the flasher and 1 has most coming from the turn signal switch. Unplug both of these, one at a time..and plug them back in. The try the turn signals (make sure your key is on) If that does not fix it.....
Since your emergency flasher works, the flasher relay is most likely good (The emergency flasher uses the same flasher relay) and your bulbs and ground connections are also good. The difference is that unswitched power is used for the emergency flasher, but switched power is used for turn signals (the key must be on). You are probably just not getting switched power to pin 49 of your turn signal stalk when you turn on the key. I would start trouble shooting at the fuse block. The same fuse (11, I think...from memory) goes to your brake lights, so if they work, the fuse is ok and it is most likely a bad connection on the output side of the fuse.
The wire that connects the fuse to the turn signal switch would be the next suspect...(on the output side if the brake lights are good) check the wire where it connects at the fuse block (take the wire loose and clean up the connection a bit if suspect) If Let us know what you find.

If you want/need to do some testing…this is how you can start: As stated, the flasher has 2 different outputs…one for emergency flasher and one for turn signals. You need a voltmeter or test light. First, find the flasher relay. Unplug it from its socket to locate the pin locations. There should be 4 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 still see each contact. Turn on your emergency flasher button and you should observe pin 49=12v (or test light on), Pin 31=ground (or test light off), Pin C switching between 0 and 12v (or test light flashing), Pin 49a flashing between 0 and 12v (or test light flashing). If this is correct, your flasher relay is likely good. Next, turn off the emergency flasher, turn your key to accessory and turn on either turn signal. You should get exactly the same.

[krd]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Typically if the flasher works for either the hazard lights or the turn signal...you can eliminate it as the problem since it does the same function for both. It just uses a different source of power. First try reseating the bulkhead connectors...that is easy and might save a lot of work. Look under the dash, directly behind the hazard flasher...there are several six pin bulkhead connectors plugged into the firewall. 1 has most wires comming from the flasher and 1 has most coming from the turn signal switch. Unplug both of these, one at a time..and plug them back in. The try the turn signals (make sure your key is on) If that does not fix it.....
Since your emergency flasher works, the flasher relay is most likely good (The emergency flasher uses the same flasher relay) and your bulbs and ground connections are also good. The difference is that unswitched power is used for the emergency flasher, but switched power is used for turn signals (the key must be on). You are probably just not getting switched power to pin 49 of your turn signal stalk when you turn on the key. I would start trouble shooting at the fuse block. The same fuse (11, I think...from memory) goes to your brake lights, so if they work, the fuse is ok and it is most likely a bad connection on the output side of the fuse.
The wire that connects the fuse to the turn signal switch would be the next suspect...(on the output side if the brake lights are good) check the wire where it connects at the fuse block (take the wire loose and clean up the connection a bit if suspect) If Let us know what you find.

If you want/need to do some testing…this is how you can start: As stated, the flasher has 2 different outputs…one for emergency flasher and one for turn signals. You need a voltmeter or test light. First, find the flasher relay. Unplug it from its socket to locate the pin locations. There should be 4 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 still see each contact. Turn on your emergency flasher button and you should observe pin 49=12v (or test light on), Pin 31=ground (or test light off), Pin C switching between 0 and 12v (or test light flashing), Pin 49a flashing between 0 and 12v (or test light flashing). If this is correct, your flasher relay is likely good. Next, turn off the emergency flasher, turn your key to accessory and turn on either turn signal. You should get exactly the same.

just out of curiosity where do i check if they are not exactly the same?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by krd

just out of curiosity where do i check if they are not exactly the same?

If you are saying that you do not get a 0-12v (on/off) signal at pin 49a, you likely
are not getting switched power to pin 49 of your turn signal stalk when you turn on the key. Check it there...and work backwards to the ignition switch and fuse block.

[krd]

thanks for your help fintstone. i'm gonna do some fly fishing this morning and hope to work on my car this afternoon, i will keep you posted. thanks again.

[krd]

finstone, I hope you can understand this and hopefully be able to help me.

key off with hazards turned on:
hazard light on steady - 49 pin (test light on steady) - 49a pin (test light on steady).

key on with hazards turned on:
hazard light flashing - 49 pin (test light on steady) - 49a pin (test light flashing).

key on with turn signal turned on and headlights turned off:
no turn indicator - 49 pin (test light off) - 49a pin (test light off).

key on with turn signal turned on and headlights turned on:
steady turn indicator - 49 pin (test light off) - 49a pin (test light off).

* by turn indicator I am refering to the directional arrows on the dash, tried either direction same results.

**by pins, I am refering to the pins on the flasher relay.

*** I don't have a 49 on my turn signal stalk, I have 49A, 49L, 49R, P, 58L, 58R.

thanks again.

[krd]

anyone?

[fintstone]

Let me get this straight

Your hazard lights work normally (with the key on or not) and you have no turnignals in any configuration?

[krd]

hazards only flash when the key is on and park or headlights on. no turn signals whatsoever, just a steady light, also only with park or headlights on.

[TibetanT]

KRD:

Have you tried replacing your light bulbs with new ones?

Just a thought.

[krd]

no, but i'll give it a shot. I also ordered a new hazard switch.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by krd

hazards only flash when the key is on and park or headlights on. no turn signals whatsoever, just a steady light, also only with park or headlights on.

1. When you say "steady light" at turn signals...are your turn signals on steady (or is it parking lights). If so...is it all or just the one that you have selected via the stalk?

2. Did they work ok and this just started? ..or is it a problem that occurred after you did something else? HAve you replaced any parts yet?

3. Does your horn work?

4. Pin 49 on turn signal. Do you have a voltage there when the key is on? When it is off?

[krd]

1. turn signals are on steady (no flashing). only when parking lights are on. if the parking lights are off, then no turn signal at all.

2. that way when i bought the car. I replaced the flasher relay, and the turn signal stalk.

3. yes my horn works.

4. i don't have a pin 49 on the turn signal stalk, just 49A, 49L, 49R, P, 58L, 58R

[fintstone]

Sorry, meant 49a on stalk

[krd]

i do not have voltage at 49a, the only place that there is voltage on the stalk is 58L, 58R and that is only the the parking lights are on (key on or off).

[fintstone]

sounds like a wiring problem. Do you have an ohm meter?

[fintstone]

any other electrical problems (back up lights or rear window defogger)? Can you dim your lights... and can you flash them by pulling the turn signal stalk?

[krd]

everything else seems ok, just the turn signals and hazards. I do have an ohm meter, i just don't know where to start. I'm a swing hammer, turn wrench kind of guy. but, i'm very determined to learn this car.