turn signal issue

[bobwill]

My turn signal lever turns on my flashers, lighting up both sides front and rear, regardless whether its up or down. Does that mean the turn signal column switch has gone bad? Would like an educated guess before I spend for a new switch if anyone has an idea??? Thanks, Bob

[pors1968]

Check each corner light for bad ground .

[bobwill]

Thanks for you suggestion and I did that. It was an opportunity to clean all the road rubbish, dirt, etc. off the light fixtures and check the ground wires to chassis, but to no avail, the turn signal switch is still flashing all four corners. The probable cause of the malfunction began when I had a short under the dash. a little smoke and some melted wire. I thought it was a couple of crossed ground wires. I cleaned those up and everything returned to normal except for the turn signals? Again thanks, Bob

[WFBowen]

Bob:
Grab a flashlight and get behind the dash where you can see the back of the emergency flasher switch. Trace the wiring making sure that all wires are intact and connected.
What happens when you turn your emer. flashers on? Can you "flash" the headlights and turn on high beams with the turn signal stalk?
Bill

[bobwill]

Bill,
Thanks for your suggestion. With the flashers turned on, the headlights work and the dimmer on the stalk switches from high to low beam fine. I am assuming that the turn signal switch is not the problem as I recently replaced the stalk unit. I cannot see any issue with the wires going into the flasher unit, which I have also replaced recently. The issue has been ongoing of several months now with every possible plotted solution having failed??? Again thanks, every bit helps. Trying to avoid a complete rewiring job.
Best regards. Bob

[WFBowen]

Bob:
I'm certainly no expert at automotive electrics, however I was looking at a factory wiring diagram and can only believe that it has something to do with one of the following, especially considering the smoking wires you experienced. The portion of the diagram I cut out shows items 44, 45 and 46 which are the Turn Signal flasher, the Warning Signal Flasher and the Warning Signal Relay, respectively. Since the turn signals rely on the proper functioning of all these parts, checking each one of them for proper function (or replacing them) might lead to a solution. Hope this helps & good luck.
Bill