Issue with turn signals and flasher

[houstonfj40]

Quick intro to the site, just picked up a 5/72 FJ40 with Chevy SB. Look forward to participating on the site.
Been getting the electronics all sorted out, mostly bad grounds, but have had an issue with the TS and Flasher that is driving me a little crazy.
three of the four lights were wired incorrectly, both filaments would be light and no flash or turn signal when you had lights on, worked fine when they were not.
I corrected the wires, but now no flasher or turn signal after they both worked for a short period. I have gone thru two flasher relays, and was wondering if anyone had an idea for me to try (going to a garage next week if I can not get it solved). Should be easy with 8 fuses...
Thanks for the help.
Marc

 

[slickrock]

If the worked correctly briefly then stopped, might be a burned through positive wire?

 

[georgia fj40]

Or there is a fuse in the cowl that could have blown. If you remove the cowl vent louver from behind hood close to windshield(on hood of truck)and the cowl vent plate. You can look in and see a fuse buried in the dash. Its pretty hard to get to. If no turn signals or flasher is working this is where I would start first. Good luck and let us know. We like to see pic's of your rig too!

Also welcome to the site and you need one of these

 

[Pin_Head]

The original symptoms are due to a bad ground at the front fenders and bib. You can verify this in a few minutes by grounding them temporarily with a wire. I don't know what you mean by "corrected" the wiring, but you may have caused more problems.

 

[slickrock]

I thought it was a bad ground too and assumed he checked all the fuses before hand suggesting a frayed or cracked 12v wire. May have been wrong in that assumption.

So starting from the beginning...check fuse. Get a 12v tester and check the light wire near the light, if 12v, then check ground.

Might be the grounding point of the light is rusted out or just needs to be cleaned? You could always do a temp fix/test and carry a section of wire to each light and physically ground each one with it (little alligator clips works wonders).

 

[Pin_Head]

Start from the other direction at the grounds because it will be faster. Get a long wire with a clip at one end, clip it to the negative post of the battery and then touch the other end to bare metal at the lamp housing and fender to see if the problem goes away.

 

[Coolerman]

The 72 does not have that hidden harness fuse for the Hazard Flasher. BOTH fuses for the Hazard/Turn are on the fuse panel.

First thing I would do: Pull each fuse, verify it is good, then clean ALL the fuse contacts. If that doesn't fix it you need to get the schematic, ( Coolerman's Electrical Schematics and FSM File Retrieval ) scroll down to the 72 then click on the file to download it, and get a meter or someone who has a meter and knows how to use it.

It could be the fuses, the turn signal switch (clean it), the hazard switch (clean it), the bulbs (dirty base or socket or bad bulb) , the flasher (not likely), or the grounds (good chance).

Oh and congrats on the Cruiser purchase and Happy New Year!

 

[Pin_Head]

The key piece of evidence is that both filaments light up when the turn signals are on. This is classical evidence of a bad/floating ground that can explain the entire problem. Always start with the most likely explanation to avoid wasting your time and effort, especially when you can verify the ground problem in a couple of minutes with a jumper wire.

 

[houstonfj40]

Thanks guys for the info. I am a novice in the wiring dept. just getting a little more confused as I read these. I am going to bring into a real tech this week to look at. Just getting nervous!

 

[houstonfj40]

Headed to shop Tuesday to solve issue. Thanks for all the help!
Marc

 

[slickrock]

Take this time to learn about your electrical system. Get a wiring diagram so you can identify your wires. You should learn how to work on your own 40 like most of us have at some point or another. In the least it will save you a lot of money and you can spend as much as you want on time. You will be rewarded more than you think by fixing the issue yourself. Everything you need for research and tech can be found here and most guys aren't too grumpy when they offer advise. Good luck and who knows, in a few years you might be able to rebuild an engine.

 

[houstonfj40]

Slickrock,

appreciate the words. I have enjoyed getting to know the FJ in the garage. When in high school, worked in junk yard, and parents allowed me to mess with cars I brought home in garage. It has been many years, but have been spending the last two weeks in garage again. It does reward me to spend a few minutes each night figuring things out. I have been able to work thru most issues, but do look to the pros when I am beyond my boundaries. Its a blast, my two young boys like the ride and helps me with stress mgt!

Marc

 

[slickrock]

Slickrock,

appreciate the words. I have enjoyed getting to know the FJ in the garage. When in high school, worked in junk yard, and parents allowed me to mess with cars I brought home in garage. It has been many years, but have been spending the last two weeks in garage again. It does reward me to spend a few minutes each night figuring things out. I have been able to work thru most issues, but do look to the pros when I am beyond my boundaries. Its a blast, my two young boys like the ride and helps me with stress mgt!

Marc

Good to hear. 40s are pretty forgiving when it comes to working on them.

 

[houstonfj40]

To close out this issue, Coolerman took your advice, cleaned flasher and turn signal switch. Three of the lights were wired incorrectly, all seems to work fine now. Thanks everyone.

Marc

 

[Captn Conch]

Fine looking 40! I like that color.