Blinker question (before I pull apart the wheel)

[jenefor]

So one night all of a sudden my blinkers stopped working in my 75. First reaction was a burnt out bulb or something of the sort.
Needless to say all the bulbs were fine and so were the fuses. I put a new blinker one in just to be sure.
Still no blinkers. I have traced back with the wiring, fuse box etc etc.
The last place I can think of is the mechanism on the steering column that controls the blinkers and hazards.
Is this a part that would go out? I have had several old cars and have never had one break so i wasn't sure.

I guess i should note that the hazards only go on if you hold it in. It wont stay engaged. Not sure if that matters or not.

Anyhow if anyone has had experience with this it would be great for some help.
Thanks

 

[Randy92782]

Believe there a plastic piece in there that's prone to breakin. My sisters b'f just bought a truck and is having similar problems

If i find out i'll let you know

 

[DR]

I dont know much about them, but what about the flasher? The little relay looking thing that operates the actual flashing...

 

[4X4HIGH]

If your hazards work then it is the flasher that is bad. There is one flasher for the turn signals and another for the hazards. The having to hold the hazard button is a seperate problem and obviously something is broken that keeps it held in place when depressed/pulled (can't remember which way to turn them on).

 

[Fordum]

change the flasher first. Cheap and easy to do. Make sure you change the right one. Turn on the E-flashers, and change the one that is not clicking<G>.
If that does not do it, check the brake light switch.
Not quite as easy as the flasher, but not too bad.
If all those are ok, then pull the steering wheel and dig in there.

 

[Fordum]

Oops, should have kept reading. The E-flasher switch can cause the problem, because just like the brake switch, the brake lights go through it and the brake lights are what you are flashing.
But, its fairly easy to check. Turn on the key, turn on the blinkers, and wiggle the heck out of the E-flasher switch. You will usually get at least one blink if its bad. If you can make them blink that way, you're on to something.

 

[70jimmy]

You may have the same type of flasher unit for both the blinkers and the hazard flashers. Seems like that era was still the can looking plug in style on the fuse block under the dash. If they are the same then just swap them and that will tell you right away if it is the flasher, if your hazards don't work and your blinkers do.

Then a run to the parts store and less than 10 bucks and fixed.

If it ends up being in the column you can get a little rebuild kit at the parts store, you will need a wheel puller to get the wheel off but not that big of a deal to replace the inner workings.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

All of your signals, except for running lights, run through the directional switch. Here's a site with some good wiring diagrams to illustrate: http://brochures.slosh.com/wiring/

I recently had to check/fix all of my signals and the problem was caused by loose grounds and a short in the turn signal switch in the column. If it ends up not being the flasher, go ahead and dig into that column as it's not too difficult. If the switch isn't broken, make sure that all the screws are snug, mine was loose and caused a short.

As for the hazard knob, you'll be able to get to it if you check the switch, but it's most likely just worn out from 30+ years of use.

Good luck, I've always disliked electrical work...

 

[jenefor]

Thanks a bunch. luckily it was just a fuse. I must had put a bad on in when I replaced it to be gin with. I was just overlooking the obvious not thinking it would have been bad. Next time I will have to pay more attention.
Thanks though. Proud to say I am back in business, without having to deal with the steering deal. And the defrost works again too :P