electrical and ignition Turn Signals Not Working With Selector Switch

[marcmax123]

Hello Fellow 02er's,

 

I have a '72 2002 and my turn signals stopped working. They began to work intermittently over the past couple months....giving only one or two flashes before stopping altogether. I have read all the posts I can find on the subject, but I can't find any with my exact condition: My hazard switch works fine, and all the blinkers light up normally when it is engaged....this would rule out the common ground problems at the turn signal mounting points, right? I pulled off my wheel and steering column cover to inspect the stalk-switch, and everything looks fine. (I should also mention that my wipers and wash functions are working normally through the switch) I looked at the Haynes manual and it seems that the only two wires I should be concerned with at the stalk are a Blue/Black wire and Blue/Red wire (the left and right side turn signal wires). When I check these two wires with my multimeter there is no power at either wire (with the key on). My #12 fuse is fine (again, my blinkers work, just not through the stalk). 

 

Any ideas of why these two wires are not getting power, but the rest of the circuit still functions?

 

Cheers,

Marc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Self]

First of all, make sure the relevant fuse is clean and tight.  Remember that the 4 way flashers operate on a different fuse (live all the time) from the turn signals (live only with ign on).  Next...

 

Try this to see if the problem is electrical or mechanical (the motion of the switch itself).  With the ignition off, try selecting a left or right turn, then check your left or right parking light and tail light.  They should be lit (little known feature on US 72 and 73 cars).  If they are, then the problem is electrical; if not, then it's probably goo/crud inside the switch itself.  You should be able to clean the switch internally once you take off the steering column trim with some spray tuner cleaner (basically carbon tetrachloride in a spray can).  If you can't find it at Radio Shack, try carb cleaner, then re-lube with a little white or silicone grease.  

 

Let us know whatcha find, and if you still have the problem.

 

mike

[adawil2002]

Check/replace fuses 1 & 2. They are left and right turn signal fuses.

 

So it's the 'B' light on the dash not blinking or blinks once, yet works with the hazards?

 

Do the outside turn signals blink when selected with the stalk?

 

I had the same problem, turned out the PO had put in incorrect wattage rear signal bulbs in. Took me two years of trouble shooting to figure that one out.

[marcmax123]

Thank you for the responses! @adawil2002, The 1 and 2 fuses for the left/right signals are fine and tight (replaced less than a year ago). The B light on the dash was not blinking at all (and only blinks once when the signals are working). Outside signals were not blinking with stalk...notice I'm using the past tense :-) @Mike, I checked the electrical operation using the key-off / stalk-selected method, and the front left turn signal and left rear tail light stays illuminated (and the same is true on the right side as well). The stalk switch is very clean, so before messing with it further I checked the relay just above the hood release lever. In doing so my blinkers are working normally again. I wish I could report a more precise fix, but it seems that the relay was stuck? But I'm not sure how that is possible considering that my hazard switch was operating the blinkers just fine. Now, I'm actually hoping they stop working again so I can provide a better follow up to this post! Stay tuned...

 

Cheers,

Marc