Electrical problems... turn signal intermittant

[sho.ca]

I've been reading a bunch of posts about the blower speed control. Now I just need to find either a used one or a cheap one on the market. Anyone know of a good source in Canada?

Just recently, my turn signals started acting up. They'll work for 2 or 3 flashes and then quit. By continuously retrying, I can usually get another flash or two, but it's very flakey. It doesn't appear to be a fuse, since I can get some action out of it.

Could it be the multifunction switch? My intermittant wipers are also really flakey. I have to constantly adjust to find a setting that actually works. I hate to spend money on replacing things that don't fix it, so I'd like to know for sure before I take my car into the shop. (I'm not a mechanic, unfortunately. This car is EXPENSIVE!)

I'd appreciate it if someone can give me some advice on how to correctly diagnose this problem, as well as a good source for parts in CA.

Thanks!

Dan Frederick
Calgary, AB
93 ATX

 

[Nick DOll]

well first off I would like to let you know that I have replace 8 multiswitches, I know that is ur problem b/c that is the 1st sign mine are going out. go to the junk yard and get in any Taurus around your year and pull one out, ge the plugs also. The reason for this is the damn Foglamps, they literally burn the switch up causing it to no longer make contacts. Good Luck !!!

 

[sho.ca]

Thanks Nick. I'm a little confused. (remember I'm a driver, not a mechanic)

1. From reading some of the other posts, the multifunction switch is basically the signal arm, correct? How do the fog lamps burn that thing out?
2. If I should also replace the plugs, where the heck do I find those?
3. Should I not be using my fog lamps all the time? I've just left them turned on and they come on with the lights. Who knew that was a bad thing?

Thanks again,

Dan

 

[projectSHO89]

Power for the foglights is routed through the low-beam contacts of the multi-function switch and the headlight switch's HEAD connection before it gets to the fuse for the fogs.

The extra current can cause the connectors to get hot over time, leading to corrosion or even melted connector bodies.

Obviously, an electical designer at Ford didn't pay attention, because the Fox Mustangs were notorious for overloaded headlight switches, also.

Steve
89

 

[SHOZ123]

One should improve upon the design then and wire in a $3.00 relay at the fog lamps.

 

[sho.ca]

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this board and for those who responded to my specific questions. I went out yesterday and found a new mult-function switch for C$15 and was actually able to do it all myself! My shop had quoted me $240 for a new one.

I'm still not a mechanic, but thanks to this board and you folks out there, I was able to save $225 and boosted my confidence in my own abilities and my SHO. That in itself is no small feat!

For those who are skeptical about finding cheap car parts, you've got to find the "pick-your-part" shops, not the standard auto wreckers. The auto wreckers in Calgary wanted $75 for the multi-function switch, compared to $10-15 at the self-serves.

Now, I just have to get myself a Paypal account...

Dan
93 Green ATX (with functioning signal lights AND rejuvenated intermittant wipers ).

 

[sho.ca]

Nick/Steve/Anyone? I've got trouble again... My new m/f switch is acting up exactly the same as the old one. Now Nick, when you said you replaced 8 of them, was that all on the same car in the same month? ;-)

I'm concerned that I've got a short or something and don't know where to start. I've run with my fog lights out since I replaced the switch. Does that make a difference?

As always, your comments are most appreciated!

Dan

 

[edmontonsho]

I had this problem with my turn signals (intermitent, works then stops). It turned out it was just a blown fuse.

 

[sho.ca]

That really surprises me. I had checked the logical ones, but I'll check the rest of them. It just doesn't make sense that a fuse would cause this kind of problem. Do you remember which fuse it was?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[edmontonsho]

I forget which one there is a list of them in the manual. It has a table of each fuse number and a list of what that fuse controls. I hope this helps.

edit: watching the Stamps vs tigercats and it is making me puke.

<small>[ October 04, 2002, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: edmontonsho ]</small>

 

[sho.ca]

I checked all the fuses in the main box and they're all fine. Unless it is one of the "secret" ones, I don't think that's the problem.

Re: Stamps. You gotta give 'em *one* game!

Cheers,

Dan

 

[edmontonsho]

hmmm, Sorry I can't be more help. But The problem that you were discribing was exactly the same as the ones I had. Hopefully somebody else can give you a hand.

btw: sorry I was late responding I was leaning over the toilet puking out everything I ate in the past 48 hours. 43-5 oh uh here I go again.

 

[SHOZ123]

Why don't you buy a new switch. They are only about $40 US.

 

[sho.ca]

I'm a little afraid that if I shell out the bucks for a new switch it's going to do the same thing, although I assume it should be under warranty. I'll try to find another used one today and if no one has any other suggestion of why it would die, I'll take your advice.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[sdpatt]

The problem sounds like it is due to the turn signal flasher. It is located on the left hand side of the instrument panel behind the front panel. Remove the screw and press the plastic retaining clip while pulling rearward.

 

[sho.ca]

Thanks Scott. Is that the light grey colored connector just to the left of the parking brake? There appears to be another connector right on top of it. I had a heck of a time getting at it and I still haven't found a way to undo the screw. None of my wrenches fit. If you can confirm that I've got the right one, I'll give it another go.

I even went to the shop today to purchase a new one, but the flashers they had didn't look anything like what I was looking at. Can I assume that those stock flashers somehow fit into the housing of this thing I'm trying to remove?

Dan