Help with Right Blinker not working... (1 Viewer)

[NYIronPig]

Got a 72 FJ40 and my front right fender blinker (passenger side) is not working, as well as the right blinker light on my dash when I engage the right blinker to work. Left side works fine. Could this just be a fuse, or looks more like a wiring issue? Trying to see why the inside blinker light is not working, while I know the front exterior is also not working. Wanted to get some POV's before I chase this weekend. Thx Mud!

 

[Its me shaneus]

Bulb may need reseated in its socket to get good ground, pretty common. For both indicator lamp and actual lamp on fender.

I also recently had too much slop in the coupler that connect shaft to selector arm just below steering wheel. Had to add a set screw to tighten that up.

 

[NYIronPig]

Bulb may need reseated in its socket to get good ground, pretty common. For both indicator lamp and actual lamp on fender.

I also recently had too much slop in the coupler that connect shaft to selector arm just below steering wheel. Had to add a set screw to tighten that up.

Ok so maybe just a good new replacement bulb would do the trick here?

 

[Its me shaneus]

Ok so maybe just a good new replacement bulb would do the trick here?

I’d look at the bulbs first. You can also test the bulb with a 12v battery charger. A little cleaning up the socket the bulb goes into with a small piece of scotchbrite would be a good idea too.

If you take instrument panel out to get to indicator bulb be sure to disconnect battery first.

 

[Pighead]

Traditionally, it's a bad ground...

 

[NYIronPig]

Traditionally, it's a bad ground...

Just for one side of the blinkers? Which ground should I chase, up under the fender?

 

[Pighead]

Yes. Some people will run a dedicated ground wire to the lamp socket metal housing rather than mess with that hollow threaded tube which will probably break if you put a wrench on it. (Old-timer hint: you can find those hollow threaded tubes at a household lamp parts store)

 

[John McVicker]

^^^
Dedicated ground is what I did. Simple, one time fix & has been that way for years.

 

[NYIronPig]

^^^
Dedicated ground is what I did. Simple, one time fix & has been that way for years.

Ok, so just remove the current fender lamp and run a dedicated ground to the socket?

 

[John McVicker]

@NYIronPig I just went out & took a picture of mine although it might not help much. It’s been way over 10 years & I don’t remember exactly where on the light I attached my ground & I didn’t want to open up the old lens etc.

But when you get in there it will be pretty self explanatory AND you can ‘test’ it with a bare wire before you button it up. Just run your new ground wire to a good solid ground. Here’s the pictures.


The smaller black wire is the new ground.

And this is where I found a solid ground…on the fender well.

 

[45Dougal]

Since both your outside lamp and your inside dash lamp is not working, this precludes a ground issue (assuming only a single fault).
This fault can only be caused by a shorted bulb in either position (unlikely), or else a bad contact in the indicator switch or its connector. Take it apart and clean up the contacts

 

[NYIronPig]

Since both your outside lamp and your inside dash lamp is not working, this precludes a ground issue (assuming only a single fault).
This fault can only be caused by a shorted bulb in either position (unlikely), or else a bad contact in the indicator switch or its connector. Take it apart and clean up the contacts

so take apart the indicator switch and clean up the contacts?

 

[45Dougal]

so take apart the indicator switch and clean up the contacts?

Separate the connector and clean the contacts first - much easier.
Then if you really need to, then pull the switch.
You can test for volts at the connector, and also at the hazard connector (everything passes through this) to gain confidence before you dive in if you prefer

 

[NYIronPig]

Separate the connector and clean the contacts first - much easier.
Then if you really need to, then pull the switch.
You can test for volts at the connector, and also at the hazard connector (everything passes through this) to gain confidence before you dive in if you prefer

Where can I find the connector?

 

[45Dougal]

Ah wait; is your rear turn signal working OK?
In this case its a wiring issue - more likely at the hazard switch

 

[45Dougal]

Where can I find the connector?

The turn signal connector is at the end of the harness that runs down the steering column.
The hazard connector is above the radio.

 

[Engineer8000]

Is the light coming on and just not blinking or not coming on at all? Sorry if I missed this in previous discussion.

 

[NYIronPig]

Is the light coming on and just not blinking or not coming on at all? Sorry if I missed this in previous discussion.

not inside blinker light is not coming on at all.

Need to check the tailight tomorrow

 

[FJ40Savvy]

My two cents worth on this issue:

Best way to troubleshoot is with a multimeter to eliminate variables. At this point it can be a number of issues, bad blubs, wiring, grounding etc. Note: in order to the flasher to work properly, all lights must be operational to create the proper load.

1. First and easy one
   1. Did you confirm whether the blubs are good? Use a multimeter to check the continuity or plug it into the other side to see if it lights up. The signal light bulb is easy check, the cluster one not so much. You might be able to reach under the dash to remove the blub holder from the cluster. Don't remove the cluster without disconnecting the battery.
      1. If the blubs are both good it is a wiring issue/ground issue.
      2. If blubs are bad, replace and determine if it flashes. If it Flashes you are done... otherwise go to step two
2. Check grounds to the signal light housing. My current assumption is that the right rear signal is lit.
   1. These trucks use the body/chassis for grounding as shown the the diagram above. You should be able to connect a multimeter between the mounting bolt of the signal light and the negative terminal of battery get continuity, ideally zero ohms. If there is no continuity, you have a grounding issue.
   2. Remove the mounting bolt for the signal light housing that mounts to the fender and clean/wire brush the mounting point for the light and reinstall. Some people also run a separate ground wire as shown above.
   3. "Do not pass go" until you get continuity. When you have continuity does it light up and flash... you are done if not go to step 3.
3. Have you remove and cleaned you hazard switch?
   1. Do you get hazard lights when you try and turn them on or only the left side?

Still no bingo, report back with findings.

 

[John McVicker]

Follow @FJ40Savvy advice and in the order he suggests.

I still think it’s a ground issue…but 1st verify that your bulbs are good!

If they are good, start with getting good grounds.

Both of these tasks are easy to accomplish.