Need Turn Signal Help!!

[t_l75]

OKay so, when bubba decided he wanted to pull the body off, he figured. "oh hey there are these wires hanging from the body connecting to the frame! Those must be pointless and have no function." so he aimlessly got some snips and started cutting away. When i dropped the body on and was having problems with my tailights and turn signals not working probably i assumed it was a ground. I went around the body and reconnected all of the grounds, and alas my tailights and brakelights decided to function as normal. What a relief

Ok now to my problem: the turn signals. When i turn my lights on, both the green arrows on the dash illuminate. when i flick the turn signal to the left, the left arrow goes out and the right arrow stays lit and vice versa for the other side. I have tried multiple flashers to make sure it wasnt just a weird flasher or something. Same exact symptom.

So im now thinking turn signal switch? has anyone else encountered this problem? anything helps

[The Torch]

I would start by checking all the grounds again, especially the one for the lights

[t_l75]

The Torch,
Thanks, i will definently recheck all of the grounds that are there. There is supposed to be a ground by the driver side door hinges close to the body mount correct?

Also, what would be signs of a bad turn signal switch? This way if i figure out the ground situation and still have a problem i know where to turn to next

Thanks again!!!

[XQIZT]

I had a similar issue. Definitely check the grounds at each bulb socket.

[Sly Vette]

I had exactly the same problem! Turned out to be a bad ground in the rear on the drivers side.
Good Luck!

[7TRoadster]

Ah yes,

Trouble shooting electrics via a forum. Makes for lengthy posts.

I would start by disconnecting the tail light harness from the main harness and individually testing each wire for continuity, shorts and each grounded part for ground. An Ohm meter can be used.

Connector to bulb socket for continuity
Connector to ground for short (light bulb removed)
Part to ground for grounds

Once you know the tail light harness is good or bad, replace or repair accordingly.

If you found any issues at all, a new test of the blinker is needed, reconnect the harnesses and test. If not then move on to the main harness.

Leaving the rear harness disconnected, disconnect the blinker switch connector at the steering column. Test them color to color with the same test suite as above.

Connector to connector for continuity (match colors)
Connector to ground for short
Steering column, speedo and tach backs to ground for ground

Note that some wires in the connectors may be ground wires. Reference wiring diagrams.

You should be able to tell what color wire operates what function in the blinker switch from the same wire diagram. So if the green (example colors only, I have no idea what your actual colors will be) wire goes to the left blinker, and the blue wire goes to the right. Those colors will be present at the blinker switch connector.

What I usually do is connect one side of the Ohm meter to the power wire of the disconnected blinker switch connector. Then use the other pole of the Ohm meter to determine if the switch is operating correctly. In the off position none of the switch connector pins should have readings. Pull blinker lever down the green color wire should have reading. Pull blinker lever up the blue color wire should have a reading. Emergency flashers will normally have readings on both colors. No Ohms reading in these indicates no connection through the blinker switch.

Hopefully you can find your problem with these simple tests.

[t_l75]

Sounds Good! i will definently do all the things as suggested, and let you all know what it ended up being so if someone else is having the same problem they can see the solution as well!

[Richard454]

What 70T said....but pull all the bulbs when you are checking for continuity....what's happening is the positive is looking for a ground- and it doesn't really care how...so it's using the "wire" inside the bulb to see a ground.

Take a wire directly to the light bulb socket case(one at a time) shove it in the socket between the bulb( JUST touching the side)and ground it.. Should work correctly. I'm guessing you will be able to trace it from there..

Or if you want- I have a few BMW emblems laying around...put it on the back of your car and you NEVER have to use your turn signals...

Richard

[KacyC3]

Even with all of the problems I had with rewiring my car, I would say just bite the bullet and order a universal harness from painless wiring. My reasoning is he did that to your turn signal wiring who knows what else he did.

[t_l75]

But the Wierd thing is, everything else works perfectly! All the gauges, everything else except turn signals! The headlights turned right on the first time I plugged them in!

[TimAT]

Got to be a ground. It's finding the path thru a bulb- and feeding where you don't want it. Common places for the dash indicators as you describe are the grounds at the rear, usually the taillight harness ground at the left rear, or the forward lights ground. The normal place for that one is the core support, and then another jumper from the core support to the frame.

Under the left kick panel is the connector for the rear harness. Unplug that one, check the lights. If the indicators light up one at a time, (probably won't flash with just 2 bulbs in the circuit), you just pinned it down to the rear ground.