turn signals broken

[shelby987]

I am sorry if this is the wrong section to post this in, but I really need a solution for this, and it seems like people respond rather quickly to the posts in this section when compared to the general electrical questions.

I just purchased a new (to me) 1994 SHO, and during the test drive before I purchased it, I did a walk around the car to ensure that everything worked, I had my girlfriend working the high beams, low beam, directions, etc. Well, everything worked when I was in front of the car, when i walked around to the back, she tried to use the hazards at the same time, while switching over to the left directional, and they no longer worked. Currently, if the brakes are applied, and a directional is on, the directional light in the rear will go out. When the directional is turned on, the front directional will turn on, but will not blink.

I was told it was probably the signal stat (a black cube with 3 prongs on it, located above the fuse box) but when I replaced that, the directionals still didn't work. Can anyone help me with this, wires has never been one of my favorite things, but I have checked every fuse, and everyone one is good.
Thanks in advance guys.
-Lee

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

I am not too sure I am following, but here are my first thoughts.

When you say the front directional does not blink, there is a light on the front corner that, when the headlights are on and you turn on the turn signal, will come on and stay on to light up the direction in which you are turning. There is another light used to blink as the signal.

I got a little lost in the 2nd paragraph...maybe if you say something like, when I do this, this dont work. When I do this, this does work.

Do the hazards work by themselves (without the brakes and turn signals on)?

When you have the brakes on, and turn on the turn signals, your rear lights go out. (Tell me if I got that right) This could be because there are 2 filiments in the light bulb and one has gone out. One for lights on, and a brighter one for the brakes.

 

[rangerj]

I'm not exactly sure what you are describing as not working, and under what conditions it works, or does not work, either.

That having been said, it is normal for the hazard warning lights to stop blinking when the brakes are applied.

As stated above, all turn signal lamps have two filiments, one that blinks, and one that stays lit without blinking. The blinking or flashing is caused by a relay. If the flashing is very rapid, or will not flash at all, it is usually the relay. The other possibility is the flashing filiment in the bulb. If the bulbs light up, but will not flash, they are getting current so it is not a connection or electrical power problem.

So, make sure you replaced the right relay and check the bulbs. If you have one that works, test the other bulbs in that socket. You could also try replacing a bulb and see if that corrects the problem in the spot where you put the new bulb. Then try that bulb in the other locations. If you know you have a good bulb, and a location will not work, then you know you have to find the connection or wire problem. Check you "grounds" for corrosion or loosness first. rangerj

 

[shelby987]

sorry for any confusion, so let me try this again.

When we started driving the car, the turn signals worked, the lights on the front and rear blinked and the green arrow on the dash would light up.

when she tried to turn on the hazards (while the directional was on) neither worked, no green lights on dash, no directional on the front or rear of the car, no hazards.

When I turn on the left (for example) directional on, the outer light, the one that lights up the direction i am turning in, lights up. But the amber bulb in the front, and the rear bulb to not light up.

I was refering earlier, to the fact that when the brakes are applied, the outer rear bulb (the one that would serve as the rear directional) goes out, but does not cycle back on.

The hazards do not work at all, with or without the directional on, I only mentioned them, because she tried to use them at the same time as the directional, and I know sometimes every little detail helps to track this stuff down.

Also, I noticed this morning, that the speedo has a slight clicking noise to it, it shifts back and forth as you drive (its hardly noticable, its very slight) but I was wondering if anyone had a fix for that.)

thanks,
-Lee
Thanks again.
-Lee

 

[rangerj]

As for the speedometer needle clicking that is usually a speedometer cable in need of lubrication. It will also cause the needle to "flicker".

As to why the application of the hazards cause the turn signals and the hazards not to light up will require some research. I do know that the hazard lights all stop flashing when the brakes are applied. The hazards will over ride the turn signals, which is logical because the bulbs are already "flashing".

I have to look and see if there is a separate relay or flasher for the hazards, and look to see if the hazards are wired to over ride the turn signals when the hazard switch is applied. I am thinking that the hazard switch does over ride the turn signals, and if the hazards are not functioning then neither will work when the hazards switch is put in the "on" position.

Other than a burned out bulb or a failed relay (flasher) these systems rarely fail, so I have not fooled with one for a long time. I'll get back to you after I look into the system and its components. Then we'll try some other ideas.

 

[shelby987]

Problem solved! I got some advice from the Gen III guys, (I screwed up and originally posted my question there). They suggested that I pull off my MFS (multi function switch) and clean it up. I had to take some 200 grit paper to the connections, green corrosion on every one. Currently the high beams are stuck on, but I figure thats just a forced connection that I need to fix.
Thanks to everyone who helped.
-Lee