Another Turn Signal Issue

[Fla2002]

1976 2002

 

I know there are pages and pages of ideas and solutions but my turn signals worked fine before the restoration and now they don't . I have the usual hazard light switch with a tooth pick wedged in to hold it down and worked fine.

 

Just starting to follow all the recommendations and have changed out the signal flasher to El 13. I am going to check all the grounds. The dash instruments and cluster lights work. The parking lights, license plate lights, and brake lights are working.  I did change out the bulbs when re installing but did not use the specific part number but a bulb that fit.

 

One item I noticed is my hazard light is slow to illuminate and very dim when the headlights are on. I know it was bright prior to the turn signal issue.

I do not have power to the turn signal switch but have power to the hazard switch.

 

I can say putting this car back together for a ground up restoration, doing all the mechanical, rebuilding the suspension, and sunroof  has been simple and relaxing. The turn signals are not.

 

 

[adawil2002]

Buy a new Hazard Switch.

 

Incorrect incandescent bulbs will cause an issue with turn signals. Check for circuit continuity with a voltmeter too.

 

[Mike Self]

If you're referring to the small bulb inside the emergency flasher switch pushbutton being dim when the headlights are on, it's supposed to be.  At least on the original flasher switches, there's a small resistor soldered between two terminals on the switch's backside. (replacements bought now from BMW don't have this resistor)  With the parking/headlights on, current flows through that circuit to illuminate (dimly) the pushbutton.  When you activate the flashers, current flows through a different set of contacts and causes the button to flash brightly with the four exterior lights.  

 

If you're using incandescent bulbs for your turn signals, the rear signals use an 1156 bulb (single filament).  The front signals use an 1157 (two filament) bulb, with the brighter of the two filaments used for the turn signal.  If you connect the dimmer filament (the parking light) to the turn signals, it'll cause problems with the flasher.

 

I did a column recently on troubleshooting those pushbutton emergency flasher switches; PM me if you want a copy.  The column also covers how to fix the switch to eliminate the need for a toothpick to keep it off.  

 

mike

[Fla2002]

I was not sure but that explains one question. I guess I will go through the turn signal system to determine the problem 

[John76]

Here is a rough draft of the turn signal wiring schematic.

Sorry....started this last year and haven't "cleaned-it-up" enough to share.

Hope it gives you some guidance. As Mike said, all turn signal bulbs should be the same (21W) for the flasher to work properly.

You can unscrew the red hazard button and remove the small bulb if the dim light bothers you when the lights are on.

 

[Fla2002]

This is very helpful. I am sure it is another simple fix for a problem I created. The good part about this car it was complete and everything worked prior to disassembly. 

[NickVyse]

If you're not getting power at the indicator stalk then have you remembered to attached the lead to the back of the ignition switch? If yes then perhaps a faulty ignition switch??

[Fla2002]

Last time I checked I was not getting power to the flasher. I get power to the hazard flasher. I did not remove the ignition switch but good advice yo check the total circuit 

[2002]

Here is a tech tip on fixing the hazard switch:

 

http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/tech/hazardswitchfix/hazardswitchfix.html

[72pdx02]

On my 72 the instrument panel never did flash more than 1 time when activating the turn signals. On my 67 I ran a extra ground wire from the turn signal lamp housing inner frame to a good ground and they flash every time, even on my 6v system. 

[Fla2002]

Jumping the purple/white with the green/purple I get the signals to flash but no dash indicator.

[John76]

3 hours ago, Fla2002 said:

I get the signals to flash but no dash indicator.

You need to connect the Black/white wire from the flasher relay. This goes to the dash light.

[Fla2002]

I installed the EL 13 flasher and connected the wiring as stated. Jumping the wires activated the flasher and the turn signals worked. I just need to figure out why I am not getting power independently from jumping wires.

[Fla2002]

Problem solved:

During this whole process I decided to repair my hazard signal button and remove the tooth pick. 
 

Using advice provided by members I repaired the switch. Re installed the switch and now everything works. Thanks for all the help

[2002FjordBaur]

I had a problem with my front indicators not flashing... turned out the two screws that fixes the lamp cluster onto the wings are also the earth connection. I had paint in the screw holes and that was causing a bad earth.
just a thought...

Edited December 8, 2021 by 2002FjordBaur