Triumph Repair: Turn signals, turn signal switch, turn signal flasher


Question
QUESTION: I just bought a 1979 Triumph Spitfire and the turn signals do not work.  The 4 way flashers work so all of the bulbs must be OK.

ANSWER: Hi Fred,
First place to look is the turn signal flasher unit and see if power is going to it and on to the turn signal switch.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I checked the flasher unit and the turn signal switch for power and there isn't any power at either place.  All three fuses are good.  I just got this car and someone has been under the dash and "fixed" things.

ANSWER: Fred, check for power on the green wires at the fuse box and if that is ok go to the hazard switch and check to see that the green wire is still hot there. If so check the Light green w/brown tracer coming out of the hazard sw going to the flasher. You should find the problem in that circuit.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard,
I checked the green wires on the fuse box and there is power there.  I checked the green wire on the square hazard switch and there is no power there.  The light green w/brown tracer coming out of the hazard sw has power on and off when the switch is turned on.
Fred

Answer
Fred, The green wire that powers the flasher switch is the same power that operates the fuel gauge and temp gauge. If they are operating ok run a test lead from the green wire at the fuse box to the green wire at the flasher switch to see if the turn signals work. If not then take the test lead and touch it to the light green w/slate tracer that runs between the flasher switch to the flasher unit and see if it makes the turn signals operate.
Let me know,
Howard