Turn signal question

[RJS]

I am having some issues with the turn signal, and I want to narrow down where to start looking.

My right turn signal works perfectly. Left are intermittent (no rhyme or reason why it works sometimes and not others). I don’t think it is related, but the emergency flashers work correctly too.

Is the turn signal flasher an “all or nothingâ€￾ type of thing (if it works for right, then it should work for the left)? If yes, then I am thinking I should be looking at the switch on the steering column.

Any ideas on where to start?

Thanks,
Rob

[HDRider]

I have had similar problems which were caused by dirt in the 4 way flasher switch. Try cycling the 4 way several times and see if it makes a difference.

If it does disassemble the switch and clean.

Edward Hamer
petaluma CA

[RJS]

I had no turn signals or emergency flashers 6-12 months ago. I cleaned / rebuilt the 4 way flasher switch, and it fixed those issues (except for the intermittent left turn signal issue). The intermittent issues has slowly been getting worse since then.

I know the power for turn signals goes through that switch. Do you know if it is one wire out of that switch for both left and right blinkers, or is there a wire for each direction? If there is a single power wire for just left, then that is a possible cause.

Rob

[FI Spyder]

The power goes (comes) from the hazard switch to the flasher unit to the signal switch on the steering wheel were it sent to the left or right lights depending on the position of the stalk. For the ground and load to be right for the flasher unit the connectors have to be clean (check where the lights assemblies plug into the wiring loom as well as flasher contacts and plug). The hazard switch internals have to be clean to give a good 12 volts to the circuit (as well as the pins at back of switch and their socket. The bulb holders have to be clean as well as the base and hot contact on the bulb. The bulbs have to be good. While a visual check of the filament will usually tell you it's best to measure resistance from base to hot contact point (should not be open). The grounds in the concerned circuits must be good too. Never assume because something looks clean on the outside it's OK as metal can oxide over in the last 30 years especially in those locations that had SO2 (etc.) in the air on years gone past. Moist air didn't help either.




- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[bmcecosse]

Squirt WD40 into the hazard switch and work it back and forth many times. Same with turn signal switch. It is likely bad contacts - just need regular use.