Turn signal problem

[Lady J]

I haven't seen this one here- (98 Ranger)
My turn signal will not work if I push the lever all the way down, and "on".

They will work if I hold it in between on and off. And sometimes if I push them all the way down (or on) if I first put in the halfway on position.

They work, so it's not the fuse or bulb - right?
They blink, so it's not the flasher - right?

From another post here -
"The multifunction switch is a prime suspect. At least it is easy to get to, and if you remove the steering column trim peices you can run some tests to better confirm that it's faulty before you remove and replace it. "

What are the tests on the multifunction switch to confirm?

Any help? - I can live with all the other quirks that it has (Ford is JUNK!)- door ajar light, no dome light, weird radio volume thing, but this will not pass inspection like this.

 

[BlaineM]

The symptoms you describe sound very much like dirty contacts within the multifunction switch. I am sure the multifunction switch can be disassembled and cleaned. (I successfully did this on my '97 Taurus, but I recall the switch being tricky to get back together right). To "test" the MFS you will have to access the connector for the switch. Once you do that you might as well remove the switch. You will need a wiring diagram and a multimeter to test for continuity across the pins of the plug. If you are not comfortable doing that, get a good used switch from a wrecker and swap it.

The door ajar light stays on because the "door ajar switch" gets dirty and the button sticks in. The dome light probably does not work because someone removed the bulb or pulled the fuse because the sticking button on the "door ajar switch" causes the dome light to stay on all the time.

http://www.offroadrangers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19469

My 1997 Ranger had the same annoying problems when I got it. Now that I have dealt with them, the Ranger is a solid and reliable vehicle.

 

[Quiksurf]

find a chemical called DeOxit remove mf switch and spray internally until it ovewrflows. manipulate the switch for like 5-10 mins and reinstall. you should be fine

 

[Lady J]

Thanks for the info.

I was wrong about it not passing inspection - they don't HOW they blink - just as long as they do.
But I will want to try cleaning the switch, thanks.

 

[ranprieur]

I had exactly this problem, but only with the right signal. It worked with the lever part way over, but all the way over it rarely worked.

After reading this thread, I managed to remove the multifunction switch, and it opened up easily with a T10 torx screwdriver. The photo below shows what it looked like inside -- and it was also helpful for putting it back together! After cleaning the green gunk off, it works great.