Rear Turn Signal Issues...

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Doug McBride, Dec 28, 2016.

  1. Doug McBride

    Doug McBride Member

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    I'm hoping someone has an answer here as we're having an issue with the rear turn signals.

    With the headlights off, the rear brake lights and turn signals appear to be working fine. However, with the headlights on, the rear turn signals light up (dimmer than normal) but the reverse lights come on as well (also dim but still on) with the flashers.

    I have been searching forums for the past hour but I am not finding anything that tells me exactly where the problem is originating or how to fix it.

    Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
     
  2. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    could be a grounding issue...:yup:
     
  3. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

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    Like 71gold says could be a grounding issue, do the rear marker lights work as they are the only thing that is on when headlight switch is pulled that are not on without the headlight switch on. I would start in the trunk and work your way forward. Dont forget to check the front turn signals and marker lights as well. Check all sockets for corrosion
     
  4. Doug McBride

    Doug McBride Member

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    So not being an electrician, here's my question... how the heck does one locate a faulty ground wire? Are there specific grounding point locations for me to check?
     
  5. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Generally the socket shell requires a ground wire to complete the circuit... All you need to do to confirm is jump a piece of wire from a bare metal area on body to the outer area of socket...
     
  6. BenjaminJR

    BenjaminJR Member

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    I'm kind of having the same issue. In my 72 ford maverick my turn signals are not working out at all. With the lights off on the car and the brake lights on the switch is acting weird. When I have the brake lights on and turn the signal on for the left the right brake light goes completely out and doesn't blink. The same goes for the same with the left brake light. I have one back-up light out. Could this be the problem?
     
  7. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Turn signal switch is worn out and you probably have a bad flasher as well. Replace them and you will likely eliminate all your issues. Just remember, there are two flashers might as well do both.
     
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  8. BenjaminJR

    BenjaminJR Member

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    The turn signal is brand new so it shouldn't be that. Also, by flasher do you mean the bulb?
     
  9. Hotrock

    Hotrock Rick, an MCCI Member Supporting Member

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    The two flashers, one for the turn signal and one for the hazard lights are located behind the instrument cluster. The flasher for hazard lights is not too difficult to locate. The flasher for the turn signal is difficult to locate without pulling the cluster. At least that was my experience.
     
  10. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Well that throws my diagnosis right out the window! Usually when you lose the brake light on the opposite side it's the switch. Look up a 552 flasher and you will see what they are. On is in the fuse box and the other tucked up under the dash.
     
  11. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    A bad flasher will cause no brake light when signal is on for either R or L(but not both at once)...
     
  12. BenjaminJR

    BenjaminJR Member

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    So would it be wise to replace both flashers? Sorry I'm not much of a car guy so I don't know a whole lot.
     
  13. BenjaminJR

    BenjaminJR Member

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    Also, something short circuited this morning in the steering wheel. Could that have been the cause for that?
     
  14. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

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    I guess you are about to find out but willing to bet that is the issue
     
  15. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Second flasher is four-way only, has zero to do with seperate R/L operation... If four way are operating turn them on and look around under dash above left leg... Assuming you find both, the one that's silent is one you need to replace...
     

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