Blinkers not working

[SkiVT]

Looking for some advice to troubleshoot my blinkers on 1983 911sc ROW. They worked before putting the car away for the winter. Took it our last weekend and no blinkers or hazard lights. After reading many threads on the topic:
- I checked fuses 9/10 and believe they are good
- I replaced the 4 pin relay with a new one from our host but still no blinkers.
- Tried a 3 pin relay with ground wire in the C slot and not change.

Here is what I am seeing: when the key is turned to on, the blinker lights front and back do not light up when I move the stalk fully up or down. However, when I turn the key off/not in the ignition, and I move the stalk fully up or down, the lights in the rear and front come on but no lights in the tach. They do not blink but they do stay on. All other lighting interior, headlights, brake lights, etc work as last year. The light in the trunk never worked. The hazard button doesn't light up anything in any scenario.

I have very little electrical knowledge but am eager to learn. Any thoughts?

[wrxnofx]

Originally Posted by SkiVT

However, when I turn the key off/not in the ignition, and I move the stalk fully up or down, the lights in the rear and front come on but no lights in the tach.

This is correct functionality.

[SkiVT]

Thanks

Does this also then mean the fuses and relay are good? I don't understand how the bulbs can be getting power without blinking, which I thought the relay controlled. I also don't understand why turning the key on would stop power from lighting the bulbs.

[pete3799]

With a test light confirm that power is passing through the fuses to the terminals below. Sometimes the contact at the fuse is the problem.

[wrxnofx]

Originally Posted by SkiVT

Thanks

Does this also then mean the fuses and relay are good? I don't understand how the bulbs can be getting power without blinking, which I thought the relay controlled.

The blinker bulbs have 2 filaments in them. One filament lights when the parking lights are turned on, and the other one blinks on and off for the blinker.

[wrxnofx]

Looking at the wire diagram, power feeds to the blinker lights from either the hazard switch or the turn signal switch through fuses 9 and 10. See if you're getting power to the tops of fuses 9 and 10. If you are, then see if you're getting power at the bottoms of the fuses.

[wrxnofx]

Oh, here is part of the diagram:

[SkiVT]

I have continuity in fuses 8,9,and10. I have no power top or bottom on those three with key off. With key on, 8 has 12v top and bottom but fuses 9,10 have no power top or bottom. My fuse cover says 8 is "turn signal" and backup light, 9 is left blinker frt, and 10 is blinker frt right.

[SkiVT]

I have power to the 49 slot where the relay plugs in but no power in the other three slots, which I think is correct based on the diagram. When relay is plugged in, I can touch the multimeter lead to each of the four posts of the relay but am not sure what to look for.

[wrxnofx]

I am certainly no expert, but it seems like terminal 49A coming out of the flasher relay should have power. That way, when you turn the turn signal switch to L or R, power comes out of that flasher relay terminal (black/why/grn), to the terminal on the emergency flasher switch (49A), down to the turn signal switch, through the fuses, and out to the lights. So if you don't have power coming out of the relay, then that seems to be your problem. You could try jumping power to that terminal on the relay to see.

[SkiVT]

Thanks, I will try the relay. It's brand new so hopefully it didn't fail but at least I would have the solution!!!!!

[SkiVT]

Jumpered the relay and it clicks. Other two posts then have continuity so I think the relay is good. Took the blinker stalk, which is only two years old, out and checked ground in steering column. All appears fine. Inspected under dash back side of hazard switch and all wires appear fine. Out of ideas. Car is due for other scheduled service so plan to add this one to the list.

Thanks again for the input.

[unclebilly]

Spin the fuses in their holders. Just because the fuse has continuity, doesn't mean that the connection to the fuses has continuity.

[SkiVT]

I will give that a try again today. I had not refocused on the fuses because I have no power to the top or bottom of the terminals/holders with the key on. I was assuming the problem was before the fuse itself. It wouldn't be the first time I don't understand how the power flow works!!!

Thanks for the idea.

[timmy2]

Terminal 30 on hazard switch Red/Black wire needs to have power on it.
I don't know where it is fed from as I am out of town for work, and don't have my schematics with me.
Have you checked that all the male 6 pin connectors under the dash are full seated?

[SkiVT]

From under the dash, red/blk to hazard has 12v and it's a real pleasure getting by 6'1" frame under there!! My 83RoW has the fuse panel counting up 1-10, then starts over going 1-8. I am not clear if that's the same as Bentley diagram I have, which states fuse 17 drives hazard. My fuse cover doesn't list a fuse for the hazard switch. I rotated the fuses 9/10, listed for blinkers, with no success. Additionally, the fuse panel has 12v to fuses 1-8. Fuses 9,10, then 1-8 all have no power right now. Does that seem correct? I again tested the socket holding the blinker relay and it has 12v in plug hole 49. When the relay is plugged in, I touch male 49 partially plugged in and get less than 5v.

Thanks again for all the ideas.

[midnight911]

have you checked the fluid?

...sorry couldn't resist...

[thorloki]

Check grounds

[targa80]

Originally Posted by SkiVT

no blinkers or hazard lights.

Since you are not seeing any directional lights flashing when either the turn signal switch is operated or the hazard switch is turned on this lead me to look at power being supplied to the flasher relay from the hazard switch via fuse 11 and and fuse 17.

Fuse 11 supplies 12 volts to the flasher relay (49) when the hazard switch is off.
fuse 17 supplies 12 volts to the flasher relay (49) when the hazard switch is on.

You said you see 12 volts at the flasher relay pin (49) correct??

Do you have continuity from pin (31) of the flasher relay plug to chassis ground? The flasher relay will not function if this ground connection is open.

If you do have 12 volts at pin (49) of the flasher relay and a good ground connection at pin (31) of the flasher relay then you should see a pulsing (0 to 12 volts) voltage from pin (49a) of the flasher relay when either the turn signal switch is activated or the hazard switch is turned on.

Troubleshooting electrical problems is a process of elimination so let us know what you see at each of the checks I just mentioned.

[targa80]

Originally Posted by SkiVT

My 83RoW has the fuse panel counting up 1-10, then starts over going 1-8.

the group of fuses 1 thru 10 are correct and the second group fuses 1-8 would be counted as follows:

1=11
2=12
3=13
4=14
5=15
6=16
7=17
8=18

I always found that to be a peculiar way to label the fuse panel itself. The fuse panel cover should have a correct listing of fuse labels.