electrical and ignition Blinker/turn Signal Not Working. Help?

[70deluxe]

Let me start this off by saying this is my first time posting on the site.  If i've not followed protocol or not used proper terminology, please let me know.  I'm definitely a rookie to these realms.  I just bought my first '02 two weeks ago.

 

Blinkers are not working.  Previous owner said they worked up until a short time ago.  Was told the problem is likely in the switch mechanism on the steering wheel.  I took it off, sanded/cleaned the visible contact points (they were filthy) and reconnected but with no success.  

 

Is this a part that commonly just wears out over time and needs to be replaced?  Do I need to take it apart further and do more than just clean the contact points?  

 

Also noticed that when I took it apart there was a loose wire (see picture) with no obvious connection point.  Any ideas?

 

Any help or tips would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks.  

 

 

[Honolulu]

The relay is either good or bad, assuming the wires are connected correctly.  Get and learn to read and use a wiring diagram.  Many aftermarket manuals (Haynes is a common example) will have the diagram.  Might even find the diagram on this list (I haven't looked).  With the diagram you can assess whether the connections to the relay are correct - you match wire color and size with the terminal numbers on the relay.

 

Cleaning the contacts is good.  Don't disassemble the turn signal switch - it's enough to shoot some contact cleaner in there, then blow it out with compressed air if you have it.  It generally does not "wear out".

 

The loose wire above the steering column in the first pic looks like it's for the horn and if your horn isn't working that disconnection will be the cause.  Horn should sound when you ground the wire with the ignition on.  The wire connects to a spade terminal.  It's been a while so I can't give you a precise direction, but look within reach of the wire and you'll find it.

 

The turn signal cancel tab that's loose on the column should be oriented to 9:00 o'clock when the steering wheel is put back onto the splines, if the car is pointing straight ahead.  Usually, if I have the wheel off and doubts about correct orientation, I'll only finger tighten the big nut that holds the steering wheel onto the splines, drive a hundred or so feet in a straight line, then back the nut off and move the steering wheel on the splines as necessary to get the wheel correct with the direction of motion.  Then get the nut good and snug with the wrench.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Honolulu

[FunkyLaneO]

Do your hazard lights work?  alot of problems with turn signals are related to the hazard switch.

[Stevenc22]

The turn signals are wired through the hazard switch. If you have a faulty or unplugged hazard switch, the indicators will stop working.

[jayamasaki]

Good to know about the Hazard switch. My turn signals are finicky, sometimes they don't work. Also, my headlight will not turn on until I mess with the signal and high beam stock.

[70deluxe]

This is great help.  Thanks so much, gents.  No, hazards do not work.  And since I i took things apart when I put things back together and put the key in the ignition, the horn sounds.  So I need to work on that one.  My neighboors are loving it...  Good times for a rookie.

 

Anyway, thanks for your help.  I will get on this and return and report.

[beast02er]

Not any help, but you'll find amusing. I was trying to work on my front signals...one parking light doesn't come on, the other doesn't blink when the headlights are on....weird situation.

 

Anyway, so I messed around under the steering column investigating and did some stuff, left the under cover off. On the way to a car show, I was backing out of the driveway with my dad waiting in his E30....I heard a quick double honk and was like huh, so I yelled out the window to him, that you? He points at me. DOH! without that cover on, the horn ring thing grounded on the metal while I was turning and honked. Ok, well i'll just watch it on the way to the show I thought. Well we are driving (it was maybe 8 miles away) and we are going down the road, me in front, all of a sudden it starts honking a bunch, my dad said the car passing me by honked back hahaha, then maybe 30 seconds later as i'm coming up on some bikers, it starts again and then starts laying on it, not stopping. So the lady on the bike looks up and starts to look like she is going to wave to me thinking oh do I know him. Fun times....after that I pulled over and got the cover back on =)

 

Only the 2nd time in my 14 years of ownership I have ever heard the horn =)

[FunkyLaneO]

The horn is coming on because that loose brown wire near your steering wheel is touching ground.