Turn signal problems

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Ken Thompson, Jun 25, 2006.

  1. Ken Thompson

    Ken Thompson Member

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    If I use my left turn signal, the electrical system seems to strain, if the head lights are on they slightly dim and the signal is very slow. Now if I use my right turn signal it appears to work fine without any electrical drain.
    Where should I be looking to solve this problem?
    Thanks,
    Ken
     
    Ken Thompson, Jun 25, 2006
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  2. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    Grounds will cause that problem.
     
    Mavaholic, Jun 25, 2006
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  3. Ken Thompson

    Ken Thompson Member

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    Thanks Mavaholic,
    I'll chase down the ground wires next week.
    Ken
     
    Ken Thompson, Jun 25, 2006
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  4. rayzorsharp

    rayzorsharp I "AM" a Maverick!

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    The first thing I would do is change out the flasher. A weak flasher can cause that. If you're not sure what it is, listen for the clicking under the left side of the dash when the signal is blinking. It'll probably cost you about 3-4 bucks so it's the cheapest thing you can try first and it just pugs in. Let us know your progress.
     
    rayzorsharp, Jun 25, 2006
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  5. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    9 times outa 10 it's either a ground or the flasher. I've had both messing with these old cars and trucks. Something that seems to be common on these cars is the light socket not getting a good ground in the tail light housing.
     
    Jamie Miles, Jun 25, 2006
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  6. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    How would a flasher cause headlights to dim? Especially on one side only? :hmmm:
     
    Mavaholic, Jun 26, 2006
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  7. mavdog71

    mavdog71 Member

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    Check and clean GROUNDS GROUNDS GROUNDS AT THE BULBS SOCKETS FRONT AND REAR BOTH SIDES
     
    mavdog71, Jun 26, 2006
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  8. qicvick

    qicvick Member

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    mine did that and it was the ground on the left front turn signal ( the mounting bolts that held the turn signal housing on) my left signal indicater light on the speedometer would even burn dimly when you turned on the headlights (y)
     
    qicvick, Jun 27, 2006
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  9. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

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    Yep, my '74 Grabber did the EXACT same thing back when I first got it.
     
    Jamie Miles, Jun 27, 2006
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  10. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member Supporting Member

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    I got so tired of dealing with this problem I added ground wires to all of my turn signal light housings years ago. No problems since.
     
    bmcdaniel, Jun 29, 2006
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  11. Ken Thompson

    Ken Thompson Member

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    I was driving home tonight, and for fun, I turned on my emergency flashers. No flashers. So I am going to buy a flasher tomorrow.
    Then start looking for the ground wires or wires that need replaced.
    Thanks for the help.
    Ken
     
    Ken Thompson, Jun 30, 2006
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  12. rayzorsharp

    rayzorsharp I "AM" a Maverick!

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    Just remember, you have two flashers, one for the signals and one for the emergency flashers.
     
    rayzorsharp, Jul 1, 2006
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  13. Ken Thompson

    Ken Thompson Member

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    Well, between adding new flashers for both, blinkers and emergency flashers, and adding a ground wire to the front left turn signal, my left turn signal works and doesn't draw down the head lights.

    Thanks for all your help.

    Ken
     
    Ken Thompson, Jul 2, 2006
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