*(&@* turn signals!

[pbs911]

Ok, I put in a new turn signal/high beam switch on my 78SC yesterday. The high beams and turn signals didn't work. Now, the high eams work but the turn signals still do not work. They will go on when signalling, but they won't flash. The hazard blinkers work fine. Does the 78SC have a separate flasher relay apart from the hazard relay? ALso the bulbs i nthe tach do not work for the high beam indicator or the turn signal indicator. I pulled them out and they were fine. Any ideas. I hate to have to merge into rush hour traffic without signals and I don't want to have to manually flash the turn signals by moving the turn signal switch off and on.

------------------
Paul
78SC Targa

[pjv911]

based on my general auto electric knowledge it sounds like you need a flasher since neither side will flash. but i am not a porsche specialist by any means.I would switch the good flasher (4 ways) with a nearby flasher to see if you can locate the fault and maybe you will get lucky. BE SURE IF YOU SWITCH THEM THEY ARE THE SAME FIRST.

------------------
69`lightweight
RS carrerra clone

[Superman]

It takes me forever, but if I stare at electrical diagrams long enough then I can usually see where electricity is supposed to come from and I check these for voltage, etc. Based on your description alone, I'd guess the turn signal flasher is separate from the hazard flasher. Find them. Check fuses and wiggle electrical connections.

------------------
'83 SC

[plain fan]

I seem to remember a "flasher relay" in the diagrams somewhere, you might check for that. I have the same problem with my 78 SC, but my right side doesn't work at all, so I'll be replacing the turn signal on the steering column first then hunting down the gremlins.

------------------
plain fan

[pbs911]

The PP cateloge shows a single hazard/signal flasher relay. I found it and it works properly, at least for the hazards. I also checked all the fuses and they are fine.

Does the hazard/signal flasher relay have two separate elements, meaning if the hazard flasher works does it necessarily mean the turn signal flasher is OK?

Spend about four hours yesterday wiggling wires, cleaning connections and checking fuses.

Plain fan, when one side stoped working on my 78SC it was a bulb that was burnt. I think it's something to do about both bulbs working on each side before you get a flash.

------------------
Paul
78SC Targa

[hilandscott]

pbs911: Is there any interaction between the hazard and the turn signal (happens on my car), or between the high beam and turn signal (saw on a past thread)?

In addition to tracking down the fuse/relay, overlaps in the circuitry (that may not be standard by the way, as in someone else's hacking aorund) complicates the troubleshooting.

As this is seeming to be a common, though not straightforward problem with the early SCs, I am curious how this works out. I have a new/used turn signal switch of my own to swap in.

------------------
'78 911 SC 3.0

[plain fan]

Well, currently I'm also having the highbeam/low beam problem with the turn signla switch. I just haven't taken the time to order the part and fix the problem, but I will probably do so soon.
I've checked the bulb and it shows to be fine. The funny thing is the left turn signals work by the right turn signals do not. I've checked the wiring and juice is present on both sides of the fuse, but no juice at the light itself. I've also checked the wires and nothing is out of the ordinary. Guess it is just a gremlin I'll have to work out or just rewire to the bulb and I don't want to do that.

------------------
plain fan

[derkpitt]

Looking at the latest model wiring diagram that I have, [84]. I would be sure the TS/HL sw is working correctly. By doing a continuity check. The Turn Signal/Flasher Unit supplies power for the Turn Signal, when the Emer Flasher sw is at rest. So I would prove to myself that the new sw is ok.

------------------
Derk Pitt
88 Carrera Coupe

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Did you remove just the switch and replaced it with a similar unit ?

What else was touched ?

The hazard uses the same relay it just overides the blinkerswitch.

Right now it looks like some wires are mixed up or one pair connector is in the wrong socket in the bulkhead.

Just go trough the wires with the shematic and make sure you have it all in the suposed way.

Grüsse,
Roland

[pbs911]

Finally found the problem. Thanks for you help.

Turns out a wire come loose from the bottom portion of the fuse panel. The wire was very difficult to see and I had to practically stand on my head in the truck to see it, especially when the other wires coming from that connection were in place.

The good news: Turn signals work; the high beams work for the first time since I got the car over 2 1/2 years ago; I have a new ohm/voltage tester that I learned to use; and I learned to somewhat read an electrical schematic.

Moral of the story: For electrical problems, begin by check each of the wires running into and out of the fuse panel very carefully. I had looked at the connections two prior times but was unable to see the lose connection because it was behind the other wires. Hope this helps someone with similar problems. SOmethimes the obvious is right in front of your face.


------------------
Paul
78SC Targa