Turn Signals

[RJS]

I am not very experienced with electrical issues, so I am asking for some opinions / guidance.

I recently had the front bumper off. I put it back on, and now the turn signals don't work. I originally thought it was related to disconnecting and reconnecting the signal lights when I had the bumper off, but now I am thinking that has nothing to do with it (but I am including this bit in case I am missing something).

I removed the emergency flasher switch from the dash, took it apart, cleaned it, and then put it back in. It did not help the turn signals, but now the emergency flashers work (first time they have worked since I have owned the car).

Since the emergency flashers work, I am thinking that there is power to the lights, and that is not the issue.

I removed the fuse box cover, and it looks like the fuses are ok. Do the left and right side turn signals each have their own fuse? If yes, then wouldn’t it be very rare for both sides to quit at the same time (two bad fuses bad at once)? If the emergency flashers are working, would that mean that it is not a fuse issue?

I think this is all pointing to the flasher unit. I have no idea which one it is (or even for sure where it is). Is it one of the four under the cover behind the headlight in engine bay on the driver’s side (USA driver’s side)? Are flasher units standard (can I get them locally), or do I need something special for our wedges?

Rob

[supercass]

If you had the battery connected when you took the bumper off, you may have blown a fuse. It's easy to brush a live wire against the bodywork when handling something awkward like a bumper. The fuse schematic is on the back of the fuse tray cover in the glovebox. I'd check them very carefully as it's not always obvious that they have blown. I'm not certain of the significance of the hazards working though, and the U.S wiring can be quite different.supercass

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Rob,

If your brake lights work, then you are getting power to your turn signals. No, the flasher unit you are locking for is not in the glove box so stop looking there, it will do you no good!

Crawl under the steering wheel and look up or just run your hand along the support bar holding the steering wheel up under the dash. The flasher for the turn signals is snapped on that bar, but most are just hanging loose.

Clay

[url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/Site/Welcome.html"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/Technical"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="https://public.me.com/jclaythompson"]My Public Folder[/url], [url="http://web.me.com/jclaythompson/tr8/Welcome.html"]My TR8 Site[/url]

[RJS]

Thanks Clay.

I do have brake lights, so it is looking like the flasher unit is bad.

Do I just go to the parts store, or do I need a special one for Triumphs?

Rob

[saabfast]

I think its a pretty standard 2 spade flasher unit. Check that the connector ('L' shape) is still attached. However, if it needs changing suggest you go for an electronic one, they are more reliable and give an even flash at all times (some standard units slow at idel, especially if the charging system and battery are a little low). They are generally a direct swap, some need an extra earth (ground) connection but that is easy to wire to any bolt or screw under the dash.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto
'81 TR7 DHC

[Milanoverde]

Do a search on this forum. There is a readily available flasher unit (in the USA) that plugs in to where the original flasher unit did and solved my problem, instantly! Its round, not square like the original so I just zip tied it in place.

Tony

[RJS]

Finally found the flasher unit. It was tucked away in a corner. I finally looked on the wiring schematic and followed the correct wire back.

Once I found it, I unpluged it and then plugged it back in, and now it works. I will clean the connections a little better before I am done, but I am not going to replace it yet.

Thanks for everyones help!!!

Rob

[FI Spyder]

Most electrical problems on these old cars are electrical connections, why they should all be cleaned and greased. Just because they are cleaned doesn't mean that they will never give a problem in the future as sometimes the cleaning is not as thorough as we think and we can get caught out but not nearly as often.

Now I have to go figure out where all my brake fluid went in my Acura (suspect left rear caliper which was replaced last year or two). Wish it was as reliable as my Triumph.[B)]



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