Ok, so every now and then my left indicator decides to foul up. This is at least the 5th time its happened. Basically when I flick the left indicator the arrow stays illuminated and doesn't blink. On the exterior when it does this, the front blinker stays illuminated like the indicator and in the back nothing happens at all. This is becoming annoying, all of the times before its "fixed" itself and returned to correct working order, however it has not done so yet. So what exactly is the problem here? Loose or bad connection at the steering column? Please help, I need to get an inspection soon.
Annoying blinker problem
- Thread starter EEM
- Start date
Capt Dan
New Member
Sounds like you need to replace the flasher.
PART# TSF @ CJ pony for a look, but you should be able to get it at any parts store.
PART# TSF @ CJ pony for a look, but you should be able to get it at any parts store.
Tim65GT
Active Member
If it was the flasher, the back signal should light up with the front. It could be a loose connection at the rear socket/bulb or at the column connector. Worse case, you need a new signal switch in the column.
1320stang
Founding Member
65 fastback
Founding Member
Tim65GT is correct.
If your
- Brake lights work
- Parking lights work
- Right turn signal works
But your
- Left turn signal does not work or only works when the brakes are on
Then your
- Turnsignal Switch is bad.
Check to see if your left rear turn signal works when the brake lights are activated.
I just went through the exact same problem.
Tim
If your
- Brake lights work
- Parking lights work
- Right turn signal works
But your
- Left turn signal does not work or only works when the brakes are on
Then your
- Turnsignal Switch is bad.
Check to see if your left rear turn signal works when the brake lights are activated.
I just went through the exact same problem.
Tim
Capt Dan
New Member
what in the switch or ground would cause it not to blink? I would think that if it was getting the power to light, it should blink unless the flasher was bad. Lack of voltage? 
Just trying to learn. TIA
Just trying to learn. TIA
mudbilly
Member
from his original post
"front blinker stays illuminated like the indicator and in the back nothing happens at all"
so, the back light is not lit.......normally, the flasher would think that a bulb is burnt out and refuse to flash..................it was designed that way so that you'd know to look for a bad bulb
if the ground to the turn signal part of the bulb is bad it will not light
"front blinker stays illuminated like the indicator and in the back nothing happens at all"
so, the back light is not lit.......normally, the flasher would think that a bulb is burnt out and refuse to flash..................it was designed that way so that you'd know to look for a bad bulb
if the ground to the turn signal part of the bulb is bad it will not light
65 fastback
Founding Member
Just to clarify a little on my previous post.
If your left rear turn signal does not work and your left rear brake light, also, will not light - then check for a bad bulb or bad ground.
Look to the turn signal switch, only if your brake light still works.
A couple of things to keep in mind (to the best of my knowledge - please correct me if something is incorrect).
There are no ground wires for the taillights, brake lights, turnsignals - the light bulb socket is grounded directly to the light housing/chassis.
A single wire carries the electric signal from the brakelight switch to the turnsignal switch, where it is split to two wires (lft & rt) that go to the taillights.
The turnsignal electical signal is carried by the same wires as the brake signal.
Activation of the turnsignal actually closes the circuit and provides constant voltage, the flasher breaks the circuit (not powers the circuit).
Tim
If your left rear turn signal does not work and your left rear brake light, also, will not light - then check for a bad bulb or bad ground.
Look to the turn signal switch, only if your brake light still works.
A couple of things to keep in mind (to the best of my knowledge - please correct me if something is incorrect).
There are no ground wires for the taillights, brake lights, turnsignals - the light bulb socket is grounded directly to the light housing/chassis.
A single wire carries the electric signal from the brakelight switch to the turnsignal switch, where it is split to two wires (lft & rt) that go to the taillights.
The turnsignal electical signal is carried by the same wires as the brake signal.
Activation of the turnsignal actually closes the circuit and provides constant voltage, the flasher breaks the circuit (not powers the circuit).
Tim
pabear89
Active Member
As for the ground at the bulb socket goes, it may be good enough to allow the lower draw of the running light to light up, but not good enough for the higher draw for the brake/turn part of the bulb.
So first area to check is the grounds.
The col switch controls the direction of power flow to the lights front and rear
and to eather to light the brake light or turn light.
When you switch the lever to left turn it will allow power thru the blinker can to the left turn side of the front and rear lights and give the brake light power directly to the opposite side.
Poor or worn contact points in the switch internals can cause intermittant troubles.
PB
So first area to check is the grounds.
The col switch controls the direction of power flow to the lights front and rear
and to eather to light the brake light or turn light.
When you switch the lever to left turn it will allow power thru the blinker can to the left turn side of the front and rear lights and give the brake light power directly to the opposite side.
Poor or worn contact points in the switch internals can cause intermittant troubles.
PB
Capt Dan
New Member
mudbilly said:
D'oh! I knew that. I haven't driven it for a while so I forgot.
I was thinking that it would flash rapidly when a bulb was out. That is when the circuit is overloaded and needs a HD Flasher. I'll get it right, eventually.
1320stang
Founding Member
Almost always, if there is a problem with a light (and the bulb isn't burnt out), check the grounds. Not always it, but more often than not, besides, it isn't a bad idea to clean them all up anyway, then use some of that battery post spray on them.
Depends on the year of car we are talking about. The 69/70 cars had the front turn signal lights mounted to the front bumper. The ground was through the body of the light, which the bumper had to be grounded to the frame. Often times people paint the bumper brackets and then can't get the turnsignal lights to work. If it tends to fix itself and then go out again, its either a ground or the turnsignal switch. Checking the grounds are free though 
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