No signals, hazards work

[Nicholas D]

Another electrical issue, sorry, I've searched here but cannot find a definitive answer. Just like the title says, the turns signals (front and back) randomly stopped working but the hazards work fine, albeit, they seem to be flashing faster than they should, but I'm not 100% about that. I switched out the flasher relay with a new one and it didn't change anything. I've checked all the grounds that I know of, and they are all clean - I just scrubbed them all a year ago. All fuses are intact. I still need to check the bulb sockets but if that's not the case am I looking at a new turn signal arm?

Of note too, when the brakes are applied, the brake lights come on as they should, however, if the left signal is turned on the left brake light goes off. Same for the right, brake light on fine until the right signal is turned on, then the right brake light goes off.

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[ekrampitzjr]

1. The new flasher relay could be bad. That happened to me. A lot of new parts these days are junk.

2. Yes, I'd suspect the "turn signal arm" (Ford calls it a multifunction switch on the newer Rangers), especially on a 35–year-old Ranger. Mine went bad earlier this year after 13 years.

 

[Nicholas D]

Thank you! I'll try another relay and check the bulb sockets before ordering a new multifunction switch and hopefully one of these things gets it. I guess it would make sense for the blinker part of the multifunction switch to go bad before the wipers, brights or hazards as they get used much more frequently. We'll see, I guess. Thanks again.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm pretty sure there are two flashers. One for turn, one for 4-way.

 

[Nicholas D]

I think you are right about that also. I am pretty sure I checked the signal flasher and not the hazard, but I'll double-check. Thanks!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Swap flashers and see if the problem follows.

 

[Brain75]

I'll also throw out that if they are "flashing faster than they should" that is kind of a dead giveaway for a LED bulb or incompatible (NON LED rated) flasher relay. Before LED's there was even an issue with japanese vehicles and american bulbs and vice versa - don't know the cause of that one but figure it is based in the same root.

If we are talkin about an 1989 (from profile), then yes 2 relays, one on the front and one that is right behind it on the back (use a mirror and flashlight and practice your left right reversal). The only body wiring changes in 2nd gen (89-92) is when they added DRL to canadian (or a dummy module in US) in 1990 - totally unrelated to what you are on.

 

[Nicholas D]

Well, I'm throwing parts at it, I guess. No change with a new multifunction switch. I guess I'll try another new signal flasher relay. Can I assume that the bulbs/sockets aren't the problem since the hazards and brake lights work? Wouldn't that indicate that both filaments in the bulb are working? Still need to find a couple of grounds too. Frustrating....

 

[Curious Hound]

Before buying another new flasher, just try swapping them. The one on the front of the fuse panel should be the one for turn signals.

"Flashing fast" is a sign that the current in the circuit is too high. That happens when LEDs are installed because they have a much lower resistance than incandescent bulbs. It can also happen when more lights are added to the circuit or when there is a wire shorted to ground. Although a direct short to ground should blow the fuse and would do that for both turn and hazard functions.

 

[Nicholas D]

Thanks hound, that was indeed it!! I didn't realize the two relays could just be switched, though I do think it was suggested before. Looks like the relay I swapped out last time this happened only lasted a year and the new one didn't work at all. Quality parts.... thanks again!

 

[Curious Hound]

Glad you figured it out.

 

[Nicholas D]

Now I just need to figure out where to get a relay that works. Just went and got another, no dice. I'm sure they work but the tines are different, even though it's the same part number. Back to the store, again...

 

[Nicholas D]

Third time's the charm. Finally found one that fits. Wonky turnsignals and normal hazards, look to the relay first! Thanks again.