Turn signals not working

Charging, starting, lighting, gauges, HVAC

Moderators: FORDification, Thunderfoot

Invictus
New Member
New Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:52 pm

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by Invictus »

Great thread. New here and a complete novice!!! BUT loving the information- thank you. I have a 1971 F100. Just got it yesterday and love it. Turn signal and hazards do not work. I put a new fuse in as the last one had blown. Soon as I hit the switch after it blew again and smoked up.

Planning on replacing the switch to start with and then going from there. All the other lights work, lights in the dash works, wipers work. There are two fuses burnt and I’m not sure what the second one is for.
1972 | F100 Custom LWB | 302 | Automatic
It’s not for the weak
390FE1972
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 561
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:28 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by 390FE1972 »

Here is a diagram that shows the fuse box, you can see where the writing is on the fuse box and what each fuse goes to:

http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... epanel.jpg

Regards :thup:
1972 F250 Sports Custom 390 FE C6 2WD Dana 60 4:10 gears
User avatar
sargentrs
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 9866
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
Location: Georgia, Jasper

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by sargentrs »

:yt: And here's the diagrams for the 70 and 72. Unfortunately we don't have one for the 71 but it's virtually identical.
http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... master.jpg
http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... _quick.jpg
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
390FE1972
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 561
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:28 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by 390FE1972 »

You said you are going to replace the switch, if you are talking about the Turn Signal Switch, here is an excellent thread on rebuilding an automatic steering column, it has information on how to replace the Turn Signal Switch.
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =5&t=72274

Here is how one guy did it on youtube:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=F1-npbr50Do
https://youtu.be/5zqCQuUwLno

Keep us updated on your progress!

Regards :drive:
1972 F250 Sports Custom 390 FE C6 2WD Dana 60 4:10 gears
cep62
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2068
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: West Michigan

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by cep62 »

I'd Try to figure why the fuse blows before I change the switch.
It might be some jacked up wiring in back from a previous owners trailer job. :2cents:
An old trick was to wire a headlight bulb in place of the fuse , (alligator clips),that way you can wiggle wires until the light goes out.
then fix the short.
cep62
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2068
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: West Michigan

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by cep62 »

cep62 wrote:I'd Try to figure why the fuse blows before I change the switch.
It might be some jacked up wiring in back from a previous owners trailer job. :2cents:
An old trick was to wire a headlight bulb in place of the fuse , (alligator clips),that way you can wiggle wires until the light goes out.
then fix the short.
(The headlight will take the place of the fuse so you don't smoke the wires.)

(Wrong button for edit) :oops:
390FE1972
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 561
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:28 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by 390FE1972 »

cep62 wrote:I'd Try to figure why the fuse blows before I change the switch.
It might be some jacked up wiring in back from a previous owners trailer job. :2cents:
An old trick was to wire a headlight bulb in place of the fuse , (alligator clips),that way you can wiggle wires until the light goes out.
then fix the short.
cep62, could you please elaborate on how you use the headlight bulb and the alligator clamps, where do you place the clamps on the headlight bulb etc. I would like to use this method in the future, but I need clarification on exactly how you do this.

Thanks :)
1972 F250 Sports Custom 390 FE C6 2WD Dana 60 4:10 gears
cep62
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2068
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: West Michigan

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by cep62 »

Get the plug for a headlight with a foot or so of wire, and put the alligator clips on the ends.
When testing , clip onto the fuse terminals so now the headlight is the fuse and the shorted wire is the ground.
The headlamp uses enough current so you don't overheat the wires, when you fix the short the lamp goes out .
This way you don't use up a box of fuses.
You can also use flat terminals for the newer type fuses.

I knew a guy that put an old key buzzer in line so he wouldn't have to look at the light he could hear it
from under the truck.
390FE1972
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 561
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:28 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: Turn signals not working

Post by 390FE1972 »

cep62 wrote:Get the plug for a headlight with a foot or so of wire, and put the alligator clips on the ends.
When testing , clip onto the fuse terminals so now the headlight is the fuse and the shorted wire is the ground.
The headlamp uses enough current so you don't overheat the wires, when you fix the short the lamp goes out .
This way you don't use up a box of fuses.
You can also use flat terminals for the newer type fuses.

I knew a guy that put an old key buzzer in line so he wouldn't have to look at the light he could hear it
from under the truck.
Thanks! That's very helpful information :drive:
1972 F250 Sports Custom 390 FE C6 2WD Dana 60 4:10 gears
Post Reply