What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Turn signal issues

B

BryantRiverRat

Registered Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2023
Posts
60
Reaction score
78
Location
USA
have a 1978 K5 and am having a weird turn signal issue, when I select left or right turn signal on the column with ignition key on it lights up all the tail lights and side markers are dim and no turn flash at all, say I turn it to left well the left front signal stays on, no flash just solid light but side marker is real dim and on both right and left side and rear lights are on too solid no flash. The Hazard lights will work but only if head lights are off, headlights work as they should. I have all new bulbs and new harness at the bulb locations for brake and turn only thing original are the side marker and rear small bulb.....any ideas? How do I check the voltage at the right locations?
 
What started you on new bulbs and harness?

Ground wires and the blinker “fuse” under the dash are the 2 I’d start on
 
the dim marker lamps says ground to me. Since the hazards flash until the head lamps are turned on, I am thinking the head lamp are sharing a ground with the turn signal/hazards. This doesn't explain why the hazards flash and the turns don't. Quick test switch the flasher cans and see if problem follows. No LED bulbs used ?
 
Ok so the turn signal flasher was smokin hot pulled it out and tried the hazard flasher in its place, with that in and turn signal on either left or right all lights flash at the same time
 
Wes Harden said:
the dim marker lamps says ground to me. Since the hazards flash until the head lamps are turned on, I am thinking the head lamp are sharing a ground with the turn signal/hazards. This doesn't explain why the hazards flash and the turns don't. Quick test switch the flasher cans and see if problem follows. No LED bulbs used ?
Click to expand...
Ok so the turn signal flasher was smokin hot pulled it out and tried the hazard flasher in its place, with that in and turn signal on either left or right all lights flash at the same time
 
A High draw may have welded the turn flasher, the hazard flasher in the turn flashers spot should act like a turn fasher.

What is known about the turn signal switch? Age condition. Could be a short in the switch itself, or possibly all the lamps are sharing the same ground
 
Wes Harden said:
A High draw may have welded the turn flasher, the hazard flasher in the turn flashers spot should act like a turn fasher.

What is known about the turn signal switch? Age condition. Could be a short in the switch itself, or possibly all the lamps are sharing the same ground
Click to expand...
The hazard in the turn spot did flash and act like turn signal on dash and lights but all lights were flashing at same time, turn signal switch seemed to be in good shape, also have a ground to rad support and one at each tail light location that are good and clean
 
do you have a trailer plug ? Somewhere the there is a short to linking the 2 sides. Sometimes it can be a bulb, the tail/turn signal element touching the brake element, others can be in the loom, most time it's either the TS switch, or the trailer lead.
 
Wes Harden said:
do you have a trailer plug ? Somewhere the there is a short to linking the 2 sides. Sometimes it can be a bulb, the tail/turn signal element touching the brake element, others can be in the loom, most time it's either the TS switch, or the trailer lead.
Click to expand...
I do have a Trailer Plug and it is new, I am waiting for a few new parts today and well see. Thanks for all your advice Wes, much appreciated.
 
There is a simple explanation for the turn signal flashing all 4 - your hazard switch is still turned on. With the hazard flasher missing, there is no power to the lights until you hit the blinker...

I posted the wiring just the other day: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/hazards-not-hazarding-when-braking.349803/post-4356218

It sounds like there is more than one problem going on here, 1 of which may just be a bad flasher. There isn't supposed to be any connection between side marker/tail lamp, so something is mis-wired or a socket is shorted with a foreign object or the wrong bulb (or a shorted bulb as @Wes Harden pointed out). You could try pulling bulbs 1 at a time. You say the harnesses are new. Why? How are you sure they are the correct ones? Is this new trailer plug the correct plug-and-play type or have you cut/spliced wires?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom