Turn signals not working

[ZMan]

I recently purchased a new to me 1998 Ranger. When I got it the brake lights weren't working, none of the dash lights worked, and while driving it home, the turn signals stopped working. Brake lights were the switch on the pedal, and the instrument cluster just needed new bulbs.

I bought a new multifunction switch, which at first fixed the turn signals. The truck sat another week while I did some other repairs. Went to drive it Sunday and the turn signals again were not working. The wipers and high beams are working, but no turn signals. I can't find any blown fuses or broken wires. Is it possible the new multifunction switch went bad, or could there be something else?

 

[bobbywalter]

check the grounds and body connector?

 

[DannyG]

I am not sure if the 1998 uses the same flasher unit as my '92 but at times I have to "tap" my fuse box to get my blinkers to work again.

I would look at the flasher and it connections. Just a thought.

 

[1996xlt]

I had a similar issue with my signals for a bit until I figured out, same as you I swapped the multi-function switch and that temporarily fixed the problem. My truck's tilt column (over time) de-pinned the turn signal switch connector on the female side (looking at the plug second in from the top-right IIRC), popped back in and signals worked. The new multi-function switch lasted a few months before it crapped out, luckily I kept the original MF switch, popped it in and has been working fine since. Play with the tilt first and see if that remedies the issue and that's probably your culprit.

 

[ZMan]

check the grounds and body connector?

Haven't found anything yet.

I am not sure if the 1998 uses the same flasher unit as my '92 but at times I have to "tap" my fuse box to get my blinkers to work again.

I would look at the flasher and it connections. Just a thought.

I thought maybe a flasher problem too, but to be honest I can't even find it, it is definitely not the same setup as my 92. When my flasher went bad on my 92 the signals illuminated just didn't flash, this is doing absolutely nothing.

I had a similar issue with my signals for a bit until I figured out, same as you I swapped the multi-function switch and that temporarily fixed the problem. My truck's tilt column (over time) de-pinned the turn signal switch connector on the female side (looking at the plug second in from the top-right IIRC), popped back in and signals worked. The new multi-function switch lasted a few months before it crapped out, luckily I kept the original MF switch, popped it in and has been working fine since. Play with the tilt first and see if that remedies the issue and that's probably your culprit.

Thank you I will check that, this does have a tilt column.

 

[ZMan]

So the connecter that goes into the switch was actually what was causing the problem. I took the cover off of the steering column, messed with the connection and the blinkers started working. The plug itself is actually pretty brittle, and the tabs that hold it to the switch broke while I was messing with it, also one wire wouldn't stay in the plug due to the tab holding it in was loose and brittle as well.

Napa sells a new plug, and one of my local stores has it in stock so I'm heading there now.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHEC124

 

[1996xlt]

So the connecter that goes into the switch was actually what was causing the problem. I took the cover off of the steering column, messed with the connection and the blinkers started working. The plug itself is actually pretty brittle, and the tabs that hold it to the switch broke while I was messing with it, also one wire wouldn't stay in the plug due to the tab holding it in was loose and brittle as well.

Napa sells a new plug, and one of my local stores has it in stock so I'm heading there now.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHEC124

Glad to hear you got it figured out!