Sequential turn signals

Tiny
JOYCE ANGEJA
  • MEMBER
  • 1966 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,200 MILES
Left & right outer lamps do not flash when turn signals are activated (sequentially) all lights do operate when brakes are applied. The sequintial flasher, the turn signal relay and the stop lamp relay in trunk have all been replaced to no avail, problem not corrected. Lamps are good, wireing in trunk feeding the lamps are O.K. Where do we go from here?
Thursday, August 27th, 2009 AT 4:11 PM

36 Replies

Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Here is wiring diagram for the thunderbird. in my 62 ford I found that the fuse box was giving me a peoblem. Follow the current ftom the signal light fuses to the steering colimn. Most times the connections by the steering wheel could have a bad connection


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/54223_MWire5765236_1.jpg


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/54223_MWire5765237_1.jpg

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Friday, August 28th, 2009 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
BULLDOG663
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
1996 Ford Thunderbird. Turn signals do not work. Even the turn signal dash lights won't flash. Have changed the switch and checked the fuses but they still do not work. Any ideas?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Are the hazards working?

When turn signals don't indicate, there is a power supply problem. It could be a bad switch, broken wires or unplugged socket connections.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BULLDOG663
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Turn signals both outside and on dash do not work and hazards do not work. All brake lights work and headlights both high and low beams work. The brake lights didn't work until we saw a trick online to spray WD40 in hazard switch and wiggle it and the brake lights all started working but still no turn signals or flashers. We then replaced the turn signal multi switch and same problems. So we figure it is specific to the turn signal/hazard but don't know where to start?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Here are the schematics of the lighting diagrams.

I would suggest starting with the electronic flasher.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BULLDOG663
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
This looks really confusing. Any advice or pointers on how to start/do?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTYRACE88
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 183,000 MILES
Both turn signals are NOT working, but the hazard signal DOES WORK. I have replaced the fuse for turn signal, but it did not correct the problem. My instinct is that the FLASHER unit may need to be replaced, but since the hazard signal works, I am not certain. From what I have read, the Flasher unit in the '96 Thunderbird is a mult-function unit which controls both the turn signals and hazards. So. If hazards are working, it doesn't make sense that the unit is failing. What do you think? Am I correct about the "multi-function" of the flasher? Is it possible to have that the flasher could work for the hazards, but not the turn signals? HELP ME TROUBLE SHOOT! PLEASE!
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
With a test lamp or DVOM, check for battery voltage at the Orange/Yellow wires.

When hazard lights are turned on, check for battery voltage at the White/Red wire. If voltage is available and not coming out of the electronic flasher Light blue wire, the electronic flasher unit is faulty or has insufficient ground.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
That's plenty of miles on the MFS and/or flasher unit.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BULLDOG663
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I can do most anything on a car, but when it comes to the wiring/electrical I'm dumbfounded. I tried looking for the electronic flasher unit and came up blank. I need it explained like your telling your ten year old son. Or, do you have any idea of a ballpark on how much it will cost to have someone do it? Thanks for all your help.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTYRACE88
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Am I correct the MFS is a "multifunction" unit that controls BOTH the turn signals and hazard signal?
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
I don't have any diagrams to show you where the exact location of the electronic flasher is. It is located behind dash, left of steering column.

I am not able to assess the estimator in our database so am not able to provide any extimated costing. Replacement of the electronic flasher isnto a difficult job and should take less than an hour.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Look at the fuse panel are any flashers there? The 1 with the yollow bands is the signal flasher. The 1 with the green strips is the 4 way flasher. Call the dealer and get a price on this multi funcion unit then u will know.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BULLDOG663
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
We have been looking lower left of the steering column as you sit in the seat. Do we need to take the dash out where the gauges are? Is it higher than we are looking between the fuse box and steering column? Is it squarish with three prongs? I looked it up on auto parts website and this is what it showed.

I really appreciate your help. We purchased this car for our son's graduation gift a month ago. It runs top notch and everything except the turn signal flashers work great. If we can get this fixed it will be a great car for him to get started.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGELARISER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD
  • 11,400 MILES
Had the switch on the steering column replaced but when I turn them on sometimes they just quit working. Sometimes they come right back on and other times it takes a while.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
No need to take the dash out. Look from under the steering column and you should be able to see it. It shold be somewhere near the fuse box but I am not able to describe the exact location.

Yes, it should be a 3 prong rectangular box type relay.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I would look at the flasher as a possible failure. Make sure all the bulbs are good and bright.

Roy
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BULLDOG663
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It is fixed! We couldn't find the electronic flasher but had seen a wire by itself that we thought might be for an option not on the car. Well we took a chance and plugged the flasher into it and the signals worked. So evidently someone had removed the electronic flasher and not replaced it.

I wanted to thank you for all your help and patience. Your help was invaluable.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGELARISER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you I checked my bulbs they are fine. I am thinking it is a loose connection or a short. Because if you touch my dimmer switch for the interior lights they get faint or go off completely.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You're welcome and glad to know you have fixed the problem.

Have a nice day.
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Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)

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