Triumph Repair: 79 Spitfire Headlight/Turn Signal Problem, turn signal switch, fuse box

Question
Dear Sir,
I recently purchased a 79 Spitfire (FM1003xxU vin) and have a couple of questions.  A few days ago my flasher relay melted and I replaced it with a 522 electronic flasher from Autozone.  I still can't get the turn signal to work (the dash light doesn't even light up).  The crux is that my headlights stopped working at the same time.  Could something have gone wrong in the headlight/dimmer/horn switch located on the steering stalk?  The horn works fine.  Is there a headlight relay somewhere I need to check (can't find info on that anywhere).  I fear that when the flasher relay melted it was due to a wire problem elsewhere, so I am really hoping not to have to check all my electricals.  These 2 events are related somehow, I believe(albiet I am a newbie when it comes to car repair).  Any input you could shed on this for me would be greatly appreciated.  And if you need any more information, please feel free to ask and I will tell you everything to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you in advance,
Mark S.

Answer
Hi Mark,
Your symptoms tell me nothing other than you need to start testing. Symptoms can lead you to an area as yours do. "The electrical system"

Working in dealerships for many years I learned when faced with any electrical problem to only pick one circuit to trace even though you have several with problems. Some mechanics start at the power supply and trace each connection toward the "Load" (the item that don't operate). I found it better to start at the "Load" and work toward the power supply. In your case a turn signal bulb socket with a test light checking the power wire and the ground wire and proceed toward the turn signal switch and on to the flasher unit and the four way flasher unit and on to the fuse box. Use your wiring diagram for the correct color code wire to check. Nine out of ten times when you correct that one circuit you will correct what ever else has failed also.
If you don't have a wiring diagram, let me know and I will post one on my web site for you to copy.
Howard