66 67 68 69 Inside turn signal problem: SOLVED!

[TonyC]

You assumed right, Emanuel, that is the hazard button in the glove box. So, you pressed it and no flashing occurred? That could well be a seized flasher. Two flasher "cans" are used; one is for regular turn-signal circuit, the other is for the hazard circuit. It acts as the on/off switch for current to the lights; if the flasher malfunctions, the signals won't flash at all. It could be that, when you flip the signal lever, the circuit jumps to the turn-signal circuit and causes the hazards to flash; but no, that is not a normal operation. You should get a new flasher and plug it in; that ought to cure the hazard issue (I'd recommend getting two; if the hazard flasher has seized, the turn flasher can't be far behind...oh, and make sure you get heavy-duty flashers). If it doesn't, then the pushbutton control is defective. If dirty, it can be cleaned out; if noticeably burned, it needs to be replaced.

When you press the brake with the hazards engaged, they stop flashing at all corners and the dash, instead staying steadily on until you release the brake. That is normal.

As for the dash lights, the topic of this thread is primarily to provide a fix of sorts to get the dash indicators to work properly in regular service. Thing is, the system had a very rudimentary bulb-out alerting system built into it, and the modding this thread covers will cancel out that alerting. On the other hand, people don't pay attention to the alerts their cars give anyway, even today (ever wonder why sometimes a dash indicator flashes twice as fast as the other dash indicator? That's why). The dash issue is usually a relay issue; wiring could also be a problem, but the first culprit is usually the relay that powers the dash lights. There are two turn-signal relays used in your car: One has 3 wires, that one runs power to the outside signals. The other has 4 wires, that one powers the dash indicators and is the center of the bulb-out alert. It's the latter that usually malfunctions, and it's no easy task to fix it (doable but not easy); hence, the main topic of this thread. But, a dash malfunction will not affect the outside lights; do a walk-around with the turn signals flashing in both directions, you'll see this to be the case.

If you want to do that mod, then read the thread; Dan did a good job at outlining the way he modded his to get his dash indicators flashing in normal service conditions. He admits to no longer having the bulb-out alert; but as I said, people ignore that anyway because they don't read their owner's manuals.

---Tony

[Emas9420]

You assumed right, Emanuel, that is the hazard button in the glove box. So, you pressed it and no flashing occurred? That could well be a seized flasher. Two flasher "cans" are used; one is for regular turn-signal circuit, the other is for the hazard circuit. It acts as the on/off switch for current to the lights; if the flasher malfunctions, the signals won't flash at all. It could be that, when you flip the signal lever, the circuit jumps to the turn-signal circuit and causes the hazards to flash; but no, that is not a normal operation. You should get a new flasher and plug it in; that ought to cure the hazard issue (I'd recommend getting two; if the hazard flasher has seized, the turn flasher can't be far behind...oh, and make sure you get heavy-duty flashers). If it doesn't, then the pushbutton control is defective. If dirty, it can be cleaned out; if noticeably burned, it needs to be replaced.

When you press the brake with the hazards engaged, they stop flashing at all corners and the dash, instead staying steadily on until you release the brake. That is normal.

As for the dash lights, the topic of this thread is primarily to provide a fix of sorts to get the dash indicators to work properly in regular service. Thing is, the system had a very rudimentary bulb-out alerting system built into it, and the modding this thread covers will cancel out that alerting. On the other hand, people don't pay attention to the alerts their cars give anyway, even today (ever wonder why sometimes a dash indicator flashes twice as fast as the other dash indicator? That's why). The dash issue is usually a relay issue; wiring could also be a problem, but the first culprit is usually the relay that powers the dash lights. There are two turn-signal relays used in your car: One has 3 wires, that one runs power to the outside signals. The other has 4 wires, that one powers the dash indicators and is the center of the bulb-out alert. It's the latter that usually malfunctions, and it's no easy task to fix it (doable but not easy); hence, the main topic of this thread. But, a dash malfunction will not affect the outside lights; do a walk-around with the turn signals flashing in both directions, you'll see this to be the case.

If you want to do that mod, then read the thread; Dan did a good job at outlining the way he modded his to get his dash indicators flashing in normal service conditions. He admits to no longer having the bulb-out alert; but as I said, people ignore that anyway because they don't read their owner's manuals.

---Tony

i really need to invest in a owners manual. was not even aware the car had a bulb out feature.. is it like newer cars where if the bulb is out the flasher goes off twice as fast? or what would happen in the event of a bulb being out?

Honestly, i don't think I'd miss this feature. i will get into fixing this soon and see what issues i run into. in the mean time i'll invest in some flashers and maybe on the turn signal relays.. Lincoln land im assuming sells the relays?

[TonyC]

Unfortunately, the bulb-out feature on our cars was not as good as the ones in existence today. If a bulb blew a filament, the dash indicator on that side would flick once and not light again, until the dead bulb was traced and replaced. But, as we've learned over time, as the cars and the respective circuit components age, that very symptom will happen even when all eight outside bulbs are perfectly intact.

LL or one of the other Usual Suspects may sell those relays, but that is subject to availability. Ron Baker used to refurbish the stock relays for every system and sell them; but with him and Baker's Auto gone, that option has been compromised. Most outlets might only focus on the relays that pertain to 'vert mechanisms.

The only way to know for sure is to ask around. There is a list of Usual Suspects here on the Forum for you to start checking.

---Tony