having problem with turn signals 1989 ford Taurus GL, no wiring dia.?

Question

I have replaced the flasher, and multiswitch, and the hazards work but not the turn signals. After I replaced the flasher they work off on for a while. One day they would work fine the next not at all. once I left the them 0n as I was on the freeway and they startred to work. now nothing. any suggestions

Answer 1

Haynes automotive repair manual including this car will have the wiring diagrams in back of book. Note: the 4-way, and t.s. circuits are different within the wiring coming to the plug-in on side of coulmn!

My suggestion is to remove the trim below the steering column and check to see that the "plug" where the steering coulmn portion of the turnsignal system (from switch), - is properly plugged in, and not damaged, - (or showing signs of being burnt, - or overheated). They can become loose, and damage the terminals inside, (you will have to unplug the two and look carefully at the terminals and check them!) Also you can put a "test light" (plugging it into the terminals of the blinker unit), - and see if you have power coming to the unit. One terminal to ground, moving (the other) to each of the terminals that the blinker unit plugs into. If you have power, then you can plug one onto that connection and try between each of other ones to see if you have a "circuit going all the way through!" Turning on either side of switch to "blink" the circuit!

Be sure to check your fuses (swapping sometimes makes the problem move eslewhere) ,-- they can look just fine at times, and not work when "under load", -- the popular name for this is "substitution"! Naturally move connections around too where-ever you can get your hands on them close to fusebox, and steering column (watching to see if the unit starts to blink temporarily).

Another thing to check, - is to make sure you have good grounds on both ends of the car for blinker/parking light circuits. It will will make your system work "goofy" if either (or both) ends have "floating grounds". Also lights will work different with parking lights on or off, and in some cases the brakelights do strange things too - if the ground circuits aren't right! If ground on one side is bad, and good on other, then they will work differently (one side compared to the other).

Answer 2

Did you replace BOTH flasher? Have you checked the connections at the fuse block? Many times the fuse block connections can become intermittent due to age, vibrations, excess loads, etc.
Try removing the fuse and twisting the blades of the contacts slightly to make the contact "larger" and force a more solid contact with the fuse block connectors. Try doing the same thing with both flashers.
Any chance that the gang plug for the combo switch has poor connector contact?
The wiring diagram can be found in most repair manuals available at most parts houses, book stores, on-line etc. for < $20.00, or at the local library at no cost.
For On-Line availability, you can go here------->

http://www.eautorepair.net/

...and for an annual subscription ALL of the repair information for your car is available, and can be printed out for car-side reference.

Good Luck

Answer 3

1989 Taurus