Right turn signal not blinking all of a sudden.

[MikePL]

So I have a problem that's got me puzzled. I have been driving the vehicle a few times today and everything worked normally, but in the evening suddenly the right turn signals are not blinking:

1. Right arron constantly ON
2. Front yellow bulb ON, back yellow bulb ON
3. All works OK when parking lights and headlights are turned off (both blinkers work)
4. When I switch the parking lights on, the right blinker stays on
5. With the lights switched off, when I want to turn the right blinker on, it blinks but also all the four parking lights.

Seems like a short between blinker cable and parking light cable but howthehellcome? And where? Maybe someone had a similar problem?

 

[benjrblant]

Does this issue also affect the left turn signals and the hazard/ emergency flashers? If so, it could be the flasher itself. Usually located in the driver's side kick panel.

Edit: D'oh, read that everything works fine when the when headlights are off. Sorry for my ignorance.

 

[Marine7]

Which ever blinker is staying on, I would pull that housing and check the wires, sounds like one is pinched. Causing it to short. Does your test light check for shorts? Otherwise grab a multi-meter and start checking wires! Fun, fun, fun..... good luck!

 

[69LC]

I'm dealing with a very similar issue with our 95. It keeps blowing fuses. Weird additional component behavior too.

I've deflared the truck and have been looking into possible problem areas in the rear quarter panel areas and under the truck, but so far am at the same place as you.

Do you have salt and moisture issues too?

 

[izzyandsue]

Check this thread Turn signal on speed, I had similar problem, moisture got in the bulb socket. I also squeezed the brass socket to make the contacts tighter too.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Check your Hoppy.

Mine shorted out one day and left me stuck in Park at a Burger King druve-thru

Had to bypass the shift lever to get it into Drive

After replacing the fuse, it had the same issue with the turn signal, then blew again when I hit the brakes.

Unplugged the Hoppy and was good to go again until I could get a replacement box.

 

[Dave 2000]

Excuse my ignorance of some US terms but, what is a 'Hoppy'?

EDIT: Checked on Google and it refers to 'Hops' and beer related.....not necessarily a bad thing I guess?

regards

Dave

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Sorry, "Hoppy" is just the general term around here for the trailer light converter box that plugs into the harness on the X-Member.

Doesn't necessarily have to be made by Hopkins, but we still call it a Hoppy lol

 

[shocktower]

I know my Hoppy died and i could not use trailer brake lights, in the 97 it is located in the, right rear behind the plastic, down in a cavity

 

[bajaphile]

I wonder if the trailer module was installed in Europe the same way as in North America. The module is in the rear passenger side corner of the truck. I just had to completely remove mine as it shorted out during a storm.

Open the hatch, remove the screws that hold down the rearmost metal strip that holds down the carpet. Then pull & pop off the rear plastic to access the rear corner wheel well area. You'll find a black little box stuck in there. It is "in series" or inline of the wiring harness that goes back to the tail light. Remove it and then connect the remaining two harnesses together.

You'll see a unprotected green ~16ga wire that goes underneath the carpet over to the drivers side taillight area. It goes over some sharp edges of sheet metal and will often be the culprit. Remove it and then pull off the drivers side plastic paneling. You'll see it too is inline of the tail light harness. Remove and re-connect the harnesses that are in there while removing the entire trailer module and wiring.

 

[69LC]

Do all US 80s have the trailer module?

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Mine didn't have one (97 TLC)

 

[69LC]

yesterday I spent some time trying to find my short. I did find the two right marker light wires were kinked, chaffed through and rubbing on the radiator support. (Notice the screwdriver-pointer) I pulled the light, had my wife help me tape up the wires and put it back in. Now instead of blowing the 10A fuse in 2-3 blinks, it take more like 5-10 blinks. I also noticed that there was something down in the heater core area or some component behind the dash that was being acted upon while the right blinker was blinking. At least I now have brake lights and left blinker again. Someday I need to find another valance panel.

 

[Malleus]

I'd replace that pigtail, I just did that on my daughter's '94. $25.00 (OEM) and 5 minutes, and she did the work.

 

[MikePL]

Just to summarize things up and solve the problem...

Well, my driver's side quarter panel was rusted out. That's the place where the light harness is located and the connectors were being constantly flooded in water so all the pins were green, oxidized etc. and the connection was intermittent and poor. After quite a bit of soldering all is back to normal.

 

[noahfecks]

Did you check the blinker fluid?

Sorry that was not helpful but was funny

 

[69LC]

I finally narrowed my similar issue to the right rear 1/4 panel area and rust hole. The tail lamp connector had corroded/melted. I cut it out and have some WAGO clamps in there for now until I can find a source for a pigtail to splice in and a new lamp housing.

 

[Paraglider]

I know I'm coming in late to the game but I thought I'd throw this one in. My left blinker stopped blinking but the light stayed on in the rear left and didn't light up at all in the front left. I took both front blinker light "shells" off (right and left to compare and switch bulbs). Before i did any switching of bulbs between the right and left blnkers, though, I just turned the left front blinker bulb to the right a quarter of an inch and everything started working--it blinked and the rear left blinked. Problem solved. Similar thing to make one of the headlights stay on consistently--unhooked the connector and brushed it off a bit. Problem solved also. These old things are tricky!