Turn signals not working

[widgeon13]

Ok, I've done a few searches and haven't found any real solutions although I've read some recommended ideas. Turn signals not working on 84 Carrera. No sign of mice damage, all fuses looked good.

I took the car out of storage yesterday and went for a drive, everything going fine except the turn signals don't work. Lights work, brake lights OK, back up, high beam and low, emergency flashers worked, corner lights worked when switch pulled one notch. Go over and fiddle with the fuses this morning and pull #6 and broke the fuse, now the left front emergency flasher doesn't work but the other three emergency corners lights work fine when flasher button activated. Turn signals all completely dead. Car has headlight relay installed and all worked fine up to this point..

So is the general recommendation to replace the turn signal mechanism or the relay behind the dash or both? I will reinspect the fuses and ground wire attachment points.

Any recommendations. The electrical gremlins are driving me crazy and of course the car has to be inspected before the end of the month.

[Joe Bob]

Locate the fuses that control your blinkers, test with a meter for voltage on both sides. Just because a fuse looks good doesn't mean it is good.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Locate the fuses that control your blinkers, test with a meter for voltage on both sides. Just because a fuse looks good doesn't mean it is good.

Good point. Just back from the hangar and problem solved, turns out the fuse had small amount of corrosion on one end. I hit it with some emery cloth lightly and put it back in and the turn signals now work fine. Just have to get replacement fuse (yellow) for the one I broke and I'm back in business.

Think I will check all the fuses for similar corrosion. So fuse was actually good just needed to be cleaned off a little to make better contact. Never would have thought that would be the problem.

Thanks or the recommendation Joe Bob. Perhaps others should check this out before spending $200 or so for new switch and relay. Nice to have a simple solution sometimes.

[Joe Bob]

Always a good idea to spin the fuses in their holders every once in awhile, especially if you live in a wet climate or on the coast. It busts loose the corrosion, also consider bending in the tabs a bit to make a tighter fit.

[dshepp806]

Always good to go through a complete retensioning of the retainers, burnishing of the holders and careful inspection of wire lead condition to the blocks (reterminate, if necc'y) retighten the screws....................

BEST!

Doyle

[bigel]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Always a good idea to spin the fuses in their holders every once in awhile, especially if you live in a wet climate or on the coast. It busts loose the corrosion, also consider bending in the tabs a bit to make a tighter fit.

Fixed my turn signal problems...and my boot area light works now as well.

Is there a treatment that can be applied to the fuse ends to help prevent the oxidation/minor corrosion? Light bulb socket lube?

[fred cook]

Put a #2 pencil in a drill with the eraser end out. Use it as a mild abrasive to clean the fuse retaining clips. If you really want to do a good job, remove each wire one at a time from the fuse panel and use a .22 caliber rifle bore brush to clean out the holes where the wires are held by the screws. This should get rid of most corrosion (and heat generating resistance) that affects the fuses. A little smear of dielectric grease on each end of each fuse will help keep the circuits working longer! Easy, no cost maintenance. Something you will rarely find for a Porsche! The only thing that you can't "fix" on the original fuse panels are the brass jumpers that are built into the back of the fuse panels. Over time the rivets holding them in place will work slightly loose and allow corrosion and resistance to build up. Eventually they can cause some circuits to quit working.

[Joe Bob]

As my ride gets older....I'm considering di-electric grease or replacing the fuse box with a modern system.