Turn signal problems

Minh Nguyen · 10-12-1999, 10:27 PM

Hello all, I've got a '74 1.8L and I'm having a few problems with the turn signals.

1. the turn signal indicator on the tach always seems to have a slight amber glow to it when the engine is on, and when I use the turn signals it only occasionally blinks like it's supposed to.

2. the right front turn signal doesn't work all the time even though the actual light works when I pull the headlight knob to the 'parking lights' or 'on' position. I've noticed that when the signal doesn't work, the indicator light on the tach doesn't work either. All the other turn signals seem to be working fine during all of this.

3. this is mostly just an annoyance, but it would be really cool to have fixed. The turn signal doesn't turn off when I finish making a turn and bring the steering wheel back to the forward position.

I haven't had a chance to root around and investigate any of these problems yet, but I plan on making some time for that this week. If you have experience with any or all of these, your input and advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanx, Minh

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Sounds like two separate problems. The one signal occasionally not going on when you want it to is quite possibly dirty or bent contacts in the light bulb socket. (Make sure you have a TWO-filament bulb and not a ONE-filament bulb in there!) Clean the connections, and bend the ones at the bottom upward a bit if the bulb feels loose. I used one of my smallest L-shaped Allen wrenches. Only bend it up a bit, that's usually all you need.

The non-cancelling is most likely due to the mechanism inside the steering column that physically moves the switch back when you unwind the steering wheel. You'll have to take the steering column apart, I believe, to fix this. Not sure if it's part of the turn signal switch or not. Check the Pelican Tech Article on ignition switch replacement for details on how you dig into it all. http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_ignition_switch/914_ignition_switch.htm

--DD

Brister · 10-13-1999, 04:14 AM

Another non-cancelling problem can be the steering wheel itself. I found this to be the case on my car when I replaced the PO installed wheel with an original steering wheel. The original has a couple of projections on the bottom of the hub which come in contact with the mechanism and cause the switch/lever to return to neutral. Projections on the wheel purchased as "like new" are so worn they cannot trip the switch mechanism. Solution if this is the case: Either get another wheel or always remember to cancel after the turn.

JP Noonan · 10-13-1999, 09:28 AM

My 74 did this after sitting for 2-3 years at the beach. Turn signals either didn't work, didn't blink, and the indicator would blink once then stop. The problems were as DD said the bulb sockets (in my case salt corrosion) and the grounds behind the headlights. Clean the grounds up real good, and replace the female spade terminal if it looks in bad shape. Also clean up the fuse block connections, the ends of the fuses, and the ground point under the relay board (the rear lights are grounded there).

Minh Nguyen · 10-16-1999, 09:14 PM

Hey guys, had a chance to tinker around a little this weekend, but ran into a bit of a hitch. i got the bulb out of the driver's side front turn signal, but the pass. side is stuck like there's no tomorrow. any good ideas on how to get it out of there so that i can clean the contacts?

thanx for the advice so far,
minh

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

The only way I know to get the bulbs out is to push and turn. I have occasionally been scared that I was gonna break the bulb by doing that, but usually only when I was trying to install them the wrong way 'round.

If you're worried, put some heavy leather gloves on, then push and turn the bulb.

--DD

JP Noonan · 10-16-1999, 11:32 PM

One of the few times I'll sugest WD-40 because it leaves less of a residue than PB Blaster. If it still won't come out, then try PB Blaster.

BTW I'm paranoid. First unhook the battery. Also use leather gloves or a rag to remove the bulb, so you don't shatter it in your hand.

JP Noonan · 10-16-1999, 11:37 PM

Great minds think alike, huh?
posted 10-16-1999 11:30 PM
posted 10-16-1999 11:32 PM
I guess DD types faster then me.

scriabin · 10-17-1999, 03:03 AM

uhhh, liquid wrench . . . ? Low tech reply, but this one's a molehill brother, though one can certainly understand how you might have expected some mystical dillema, what with 914 being as they are.