Weird electrical problem - turn signals don't work

[Asha'man]

Here's the link to my other thread in 2.3 Tech, got basically nothin' from that so I'm tryin' for some exposure over here. http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=435582

I was on my way to school this morning and I got a check engine light. Popped the hood, looked at stuff, didn't find anything obviously wrong, so I went on down to the auto parts store (private place) on the way to school. Right about the same time I saw the CEL, I noticed that my turn signals weren't working. Looked in the manual and it seems that the turn signals, rear defrost, and reverse lights are all on the same fuse. Defrost switch wasn't clicking, so I thought I found the prob. However, I pulled the fuse at the parts store and it's perfectly intact. Messed around with testing the turn signals, and as soon as the parts guy came out to take a look, it started working (and my defrost switch started working again, too). Pulled out of the lot and it quit again. Lost the CEL, though, although I may still pull codes tomorrow. So here I am without turn signals or defrost or, probably, reverse lights, and it isn't the fuse. I'm thinking it could be the MFS, but that wouldn't explain the defrost issues. Something in that shared section of harness somewhere, maybe? Anyone with ideas, please chime in.

Read the link, I have a couple of followup posts. Point is, I still don't have turn signals/defrost/backup lights, and I'm not very good at electrical stuff. Anyone with experience about this?

Ash

 

[fastbluecoupe]

Same thing happened to me and it was the ignition switch in the colum it actually falls apart. It's a plastic and metal thing that separates and you lose the electrical contact. check yours out

 

[Asha'man]

And it affected that whole circuit, i.e. defrost/reverse lights as well?

Ash

 

[Asha'man]

BTTT for the evening crowd.....

Ash

 

[jerry beach]

You have prolly lost ground to these circuits, or lost a power connection such as the ignition switch as was mentioned. Check it out and see if the ign. switch came apart, many of us have fixed them with only cable ties, its free. If not you will need a meter that measures ohms, start measuring ohms to ground is what I do, if I dont have it I supply it and the circuit will work properly again. Just make sure the wire you ground is never hot. I have done this when I didnt have a diagram, but I advise you to get one and know what wires you are checking. Dont worry if you dont understand that, just get a basic book like a Haynes Automotive electrical manual at the auto parts store and a cheap meter to start with. It will explain how to read the diagrams in the regular manual and you will need a magnifying glass to read the damn thing, but you will be chasing wires in no time. Thank you for buying american

 

[Asha'man]

The ignition switch controls more than ignition then, I gather? I guess I'll try to pick up an ohmmeter or multimeter tomorrow....just now remembered I have a $25 gift card at Sears. I'll see what I can learn tomorrow, thanks.

Ash

 

[jerry beach]

A test light can do alot of basic checking too. Dont discount a $1 test light for routine power checks. A wiring diagram is really your most usefull tool. Go to the library and see if you can find them in the reference section. Sometimes you can check out the reference books, but I have photocopied the pages I needed and I dont have to return it. If you live in a big city you have a better chance of finding what you need. Search for auto repair in the computer there.

 

[Asha'man]

Yep, it was the ignition switch. Damn thing fell apart when I messed with it. Popped a new one in for $12 and all is good. Thanks guys, I had no idea where to even start.

Ash

 

[fastbluecoupe]

I didn't know of this forum back then and I went nuts trying to figure it out. glad to see this place is here so that we can help each other out. Less down time means more time to beat on them.GLAD TO HELP!