Chrysler Repair: 1996 Sebring Convertible-intermittent turn signal problem, chrysler sebring convertible, chrysler sebring

Question
I have 1996 Chrysler Sebring convertible.  For several weeks the rear passenger turn signal works intermittently.  I haven't had any recent work done.  When it first happened I had the fast flash indicating a bulb out.  I removed the lens cover replacing eventually all of the bulbs.  Still no correction.  I parked the car for the evening checking one last time to find the problem still there.  In the morning I started the car went to use the signal and everything was working.

I have been driving along with the signal working okay and at one point it will go out.  It could be out for an hour up to two days.  Then it'll start working again without any problems for a few days.  I have had the car to the dealership and unfortunately they have been unable to find a problem.  Wouldn't you know it, doesn't happen when they have it.

I haven't been able to find a common denominator for when the signal will work or not.  It's not like if I hit a bump it will go out or return.  I have cleaned and checked the connections to the bulbs.  I have replaced the multifunction switch.  When I am having the problem I have noted both bulbs for the passenger side turn signal in the rear only are out.  The turn signal on the passenger front is operating.  The driver side turn signal I do not have any problems with.  It is only rear passenger turn signal.

I am capable of making basic continuity or voltage checks.  Any information or suggestions you have to offer would be welcome.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Walter,
As I say in my "profile" my expertise runs thin after 1995, but if the circuitry for the turn signals in your Sebring is similar to that of the predecessor LeBaron, then I have an idea. When this happens, are the running lights at the rear also affected? or just the turn signal bulbs? Because of the replacement of the multifunction switch that I would assume cannot be the problem. And the fact that the front signal is o.k. removes the flasher unit from the cause list also. So it has to be either a bad electrical disconnecter between the multifunction switch and the right rear of the car, or a bad ground connection from the turn signal bulbs to the chassis ground point. I lean toward the latter as the culprit, but check both. To determine which you will need to have your meter ready, and a jumper wire too when the problem next surfaces. Then go to the affected bulb sockets and look for the black wires which are the ones that return the current to the - post of the battery via the chassis (e.g. the ground wires). I would jump between either of the black wires on those bulbs and a shiney metal surface nearby or a screw that is attached to the body and see if that cause the turn signals to now work. If so, then you have a flakey ground connection or a flakey ground splice to the ground connection for the turn signal bulbs. If that doesn't happen, then with the voltmeter see if you are getting a pulsing 12V on the non-black wires at the affected bulbs. If you aren't then trace those wires back toward the front of the car checking for any loose connectors or flakey wire attachments in the circuit from the multi-function switch. Becasue I don't have the wiring diagrams I can't give you the exact color codes, but the ground wires will definitely be black. So you might start out by getting to know how to access the black wires for the turn signal bulbs on the right rear side so you can get to them without disturbing too much or having the fault self-cancel in the meantime. If you don't see a place where you can access the conductors of the black wires, then you should have a fine pin which will allow you to access the conductor by piercing the insulation on the wire and then use the alligator clip on your jumper to attach to the pin. If you use a small fine caliber straight pin it should not cause any damage to the intergrity of the wire in the future.
That is how I would approach this, given that I don't have the diagrams for '96 (but rather am working from a '94 LeBaron diagram which does have the multifunction switch in its circuit.)
Roland