Issue with signal lights on 1978 FJ45

[northernFJ45]

The left and right signal lights (front and back) come on as they should when turned on by the signal light lever. But they stay solid and do not flash.

I thought that the flasher might be bad, but then pulled out the knob for the four way hazard lights. All four signal lights flash perfectly then.

Could the directional issue come from a faulty flasher, even if the hazard lights work properly?

Can anyone tell me where the flasher is located? I looked above the brake and clutch pedals and near the fuse box but can't find the flasher. Any idea where Toyota may have put this on a 1978 FJ45?

I had the front signal lights off to install new fenders. And I installed new rear lights as well. Wondering if it could be a ground issue, but all the other lights work properly.

Thanks for any help with this.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Some units have 2 flasher cans. So the 4ways one could be working and the turn signal one could be bad. With the motor off, turn on the 4 ways - listen for the clicking sound of the flasher cans. If your unit has 2 cans they should be close together.

On my 72 if one of the turn signal bulbs is out, the light will stay on and not blink. A good Ground is important for each light to work. Pull the bulb and clean the inside of the socket (pencil eraser works nicely) and the contacts on the bulb. LED bulbs usually need a resistor in the circuit to cause enough current to make the OEM flasher can work.

I had to rebuild my turn signal switch way back in the 90's. I think you can get them now for big money.

 

[wolfbak]

The left and right signal lights (front and back) come on as they should when turned on by the signal light lever. But they stay solid and do not flash.

I thought that the flasher might be bad, but then pulled out the knob for the four way hazard lights. All four signal lights flash perfectly then.

Could the directional issue come from a faulty flasher, even if the hazard lights work properly?

Can anyone tell me where the flasher is located? I looked above the brake and clutch pedals and near the fuse box but can't find the flasher. Any idea where Toyota may have put this on a 1978 FJ45?

I had the front signal lights off to install new fenders. And I installed new rear lights as well. Wondering if it could be a ground issue, but all the other lights work properly.

Thanks for any help with this.

Not long ago while chasing down an issue with a fuse blowing, I replaced my aftermarket rear lights with OEM from CityRacer. Once I did, the signal lights quit flashing.

Talking with the guy who rebuilt my wiring harness, he suggested the new bulbs were the problem. There is a slight difference in bulb spec - at least in my '76. I bought the right bulbs at the local auto parts store, and they've worked great ever since.

What I've learned is that the electrical system can be extremely finicky.

 

[wolfbak]

This might help!

My OEM lights came with bulbs marked Koito 12V 21W, and what you want is the 1156.

 

[pb4ugo]

The flasher in a 40 doesn't look like the normal round flasher units. It is a rectangular box mounted on the left side of the pedal assembly. You can also make a pig tail to plug into the 40's harness and plug into a electronic flasher which activates with less amperage. They're available with a report or silent.

Usually the stk bulbs are 1156 single element and 1157 which is a dual element used for brake and tail lights.

 

[B y r o n]

Older flasher units require resistance to work properly. When you use the turn signal it is only triggering the lights on one side. Apparently there is not enough resistance to trigger the flasher properly. When you use the emergency flasher it triggers both sides and now the resistance is enough for the flasher to work properly.

Double check your bulbs and ensure you are running the correct wattage.

 

[northernFJ45]

Thanks for the ideas. It now seems that it's an intermittent issue, with the signals sometimes working properly and staying on solid at other times. I will check the bulbs to see what number is on them.

 

[northernFJ45]

A quick update. I took the lens covers off, again (had to several times earlier this week because of the poor quality sockets for the middle bulbs). For the signal lights, I found very small bulbs marked 12V 5W. Replaced them with 1156 bulbs and they appear to work properly now. As suggested by others, the bulbs that the new fixtures come with probably don't have enough of a draw to allow the flasher to work reliably. Thanks again for the help.