Intermittent Turn Signal Issue

[Dooley]

I have a 1978 Scout II that recently has a new turn signal issue. The turn signals work sometimes and sometimes they don't. Yesterday I started the rig, and tested the signals. They worked 100% all-around. However, after driving for 10 minutes, they stopped working. None of them worked, not front, back, or inside dash indicators; Nothin. Same thing happened on the way home from work. Either all of them work, or none of them do. Hmmm...

I tried the emergency flashers while driving and they worked. I have spent substantial time fixing the grounds (thanks to all members input on that), so I don't think that is the problem. Additionally, when I got home, put in a new flasher off the shelf from NAPA and also tried a turn signal flasher (behind the fuse panel, on top) that I had in the console as a spare. Still the same problem of no turn signals.

So I know the bulbs work if the emergency flashers are operational.

Questions: Does the turn signal switch go out intermittently, or is it all at once? I thought that might be the culprit, but really don't want to dig into that if I don't have to.

Also, could it still be the turn flasher? The 3 I tried are all the 2 prong regular-duty ones (about 3/4" in length).

This one has me perplexed! Any help or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[Eric VanBuren]

Since they all stop working at the same time that indicates it is either power to the switch or the switch itself. So you need to get it to stop working and then trace the power from the TS switch connector back to the fuse panel. Because they work for a while and then stop it is likely a corroded connection or wire.

Use a standard incandescent test light and check for power at the switch side of the connector it should be a purple wire. If it's dimmer than connecting the test light at the battery, or doesn't light up at all then work your way back to the flasher and then fuse panel.

[Ronmc1954]

Eric is pretty much right on. I would check your fuse holder for the turn signal fuse, in time they don't hold the fuse tight. Next time it stops working just put your finger on the turn signal fuse and press on it to see if they start working.
Turn signal switch can also cause it but from what I have seen it can get dirty or worn but usually only affects right or left (one at a time) Sometimes just wiggling the turn signal lever repetedly will get it to work but it is not a fix.

Ron

[bull]

fuse holder is first and easiest check..flasher check is next (ohm it out)..now comes the purple wire connector in the pack-con plug (its #4)..check to make sure you have a rock solid 12.2 volts there..if not..rebuild entire circuit..then check #4 connector in the pack con plug..if your really having a bad hair day it very well could be in the pack con plug-tear apart and rebuild that plug..i have a decent write up on here (google my name) so you can get some idea of what i had to do..the circuit is easy but like all things the scout wants to fight every step of the way...god speed

[Dooley]

Thanks for all the great input and help. Let's hope this weekend I will have time to tackle this one.

Bull: I have experienced many times first-hand the "resistance" a scout can present on a simple fix.

Take care!

[Dooley]

Alright guys problem solved. Good input all around. Ron and Bull were spot on; the fuse box was the easiest and first check. That was the problem. Before the posts, by myself, I had looked at the fuse and it appeared to be fine. That's what got me worried. However, upon second inspection and with others input, discovered the problem. The turn signal fuse was barely, and I mean barely, out of line. I moved it maybe 1/16th". I had the left signal on and it was not working, but as soon as I moved the fuse and "seated" it better, they fired up.

As always, thanks so much to all the awesome advice from you fine folks! Have a great day!...

At least I have a spare flasher now and am a bit smarter (just a bit)

[Ronmc1954]

[chazJB]

Hey guys,

I have a bit of a strange problem here.

To start off all lighgts worked not too long ago. Now I am having issues with the front right working but not the rear right. ( when I use the turn switch) the left does not work at all now when using the switch BUT... when I turn the hazards on both the left (driver) front and rear work but not the right (pass). Strange enough for you?

I have checked the fuse panel and I have power to every fuse through and through. I also decided to pull all the fuses out and clean and tighten the holders so they are good.

What I have found recently before the left totally crapped out is that sometimes the blinkers and radio would shut off so I wiggled the connector from the steering column and it all started working again until it wiggled a little. I thought it was maybe the connection there so I replaced the plug and all connections to each wire there. Still no fix.

Any help is appreciated because right now while driveing I use the hazards to go left and the turn switch to go right.

[scoutboy74]

The fact that the hazard circuit will flash on that side means the bulb, the ground and the wiring to the light bucket on that side are fine. I bet your brake light goes out on that side when you activate the right turn signal with your foot on the brake. 5 to 1 its dirty or damaged contacts inside your turn signal switch. Dirt and corrosion can be cleaned. If something is broken, the TS switch will need to be replaced. The steering wheel must be pulled in order to access the switch.

[chazJB]

Originally Posted by scoutboy74

The fact that the hazard circuit will flash on that side means the bulb, the ground and the wiring to the light bucket on that side are fine. I bet your brake light goes out on that side when you activate the right turn signal with your foot on the brake. 5 to 1 its dirty or damaged contacts inside your turn signal switch. Dirt and corrosion can be cleaned. If something is broken, the TS switch will need to be replaced. The steering wheel must be pulled in order to access the switch.

Yea I took off all 8 lights and cleaned all the contacts so I know they are good when I turn the driving lights on I noticed that once the blinker turns on that it shuts that side of lights off. I also found that when I push the brake the driver side front and rear lights turn on as well as the blinker inside. But at a solid state not blinking.

lOng story short I checked the purple wire in the TSS for power with each side on and when the right side was on it worked fine but when I turned it on to go left I had nothing. I bought a new switch from the local scout place (scoutparts.com) and will be picking it up monday since I couldnt get there in time yesterday.

Stay tuned....