QuestionHi Bill,
The indicators on my 82 FT failed about 2 weeks ago. I took out the relay and cleaned it up and all was well. They have now gone again and no amount of bodging can fix it. I replaced the relay with one from the wreckers but it too failed to work. I got another (from the wreckers) and it too failed. I'm beginning to wonder if it is something else.
The power lead to the relay carries the full 12V and it clicks once power is applied but it fails to move after this. Any ideas?
AnswerGordon, turn signals only work when
1) there is sufficient power to the flasher unit
2) there is sufficient load on the lighting side to cause current draw to heat the flasher contacts enough to break the circuit repeatedly.
3) there is continuity of the wiring to the signal units via the switch
4) there is a ground path for the current to return to the frame and battery.
First, now that you know you have 12v to the flasher, check each bulb and socket for integrity and function.
Next, check all the wiring between the units, back to the t/s switch. Check for power in and out of the switch to each set of lights.
Current flow in the circuit is roughly:
Frame -Battery+, to ignition switch, ignition switch ON to + side of flasher, load side of flasher goes out to the incoming side of the turn signal switch, then routed out to either side bulb sockets through the filaments, then to ground.
Most of the flexible plastic signal units MUST be grounded through the green wires back to the chassis.
Hope that clears things up for you... Bill Silver
