Blinkers/ turn signals do not work

[LevisJeanz]

I have a 1975 2.0 and the blinkers refuse to work.

Here are the symptoms:

1. The blinker and high beam indicator on the tach do not light up
2. The #11 fuse according to this diagram keeps blowing. It blows ass soon as the fuse is installed even when the key is not in the ignition.
3. All of the bulbs are correct per what is written on the light reflectors themselves.

What can I do to troubleshoot this issue? I do not have a lot of experience with diagnosing electrical problems so I don't really know what to do next
I do have a multimeter and know how to use it though.

Levi

[drbill]

Turn signal relay may be bad.

Do the high beams themselves work? Or is it just that the indicator light doesn't work?
There is also a high/low beam relay.

Also, be sure all the grounds are clean and tight.

[LevisJeanz]

The high beams themselves do work. What would be a good way of diagnosing the relay?

Are the grounds you referred to more than the general engine ground strap?

[Cairo94507]

As for the grounds they are all around the car in addition to the general engine strap. Just look for the brown wires screwed to the chassis, dash, etc. from to rear of the car. This is a common problem on our cars.

[LevisJeanz]

I replaced the relay and the fuse still blows as soon as it is put in. However if the relay is not installed the fuse doesn't blow.

What should I be looking for next?

[drbill]

I would inspect all the wires connected to the back of the fuse panel. It will drop down when removing the 2 screws. You probably already had it down when replacing the relay. Be sure they aren't touching each other. There should not be any current on that fuse with the ignition switched off.

I stand corrected. That is a live fuse with ignition off. Do any of the wires look like someone has messed with them? Maybe had some sort of extra power amp or something wired in there? Be sure all of the lights are grounded. The turn signal lights have specific connectors for the ground wires. The Tech Tips book form AA is a big help.

[etcmss]

get a wiring diagram and find all the loads for fuse 11. you can disconnect some at the fuse panel hot side.
remove power to all the loads and insert fuse--does it blow? if fuse is ok add one load at a time to find faulty circuit. fix that one and try again.
if fuse blows with all loads removed trace out all wires and verify connected right.
a link to useful 914 member site--
914/4 Tech Notebook

be patient you'll find it.
find all the ground points and make sure the connections (lugs) are clean and tight.