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1987 Ford F-150 Right Front/Rear blinkers don't blink

Tiny
ALEXSMITH_MS
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 FORD F-150
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
My 1987 Ford F-150's, FRONT right and back blinkers don't blink anymore. The left blinkers work perfectly, but when I click the stick to turn on the right side blinkers, the indicator light, and both blinkers turn on, but don't blink. What could be the cause of this?
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 8:34 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,135 POSTS
Have you tried to replace the flasher?
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
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Well, I'm not very vehicle-savvy, but I did look up "truck flasher" and if my searches were correct, it seems to be an electronic device installed between the switch and the light.

My truck only started having this problem since today, so I haven't had time to replace anything. Where could I buy a good quality flasher for a 1987 F-150? There's some auto-shops in town, including "O'Reilly's", could I buy or order a generic flasher from them, or would I have to special order it online?
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
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They should have it in stock for you. It is a cheap part. Let me know if it takes care of the problem.

Joe
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 1:09 AM
Tiny
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I went to O'Reilly's today, and bought a replacement flasher. I installed it, and now my turn signals all work correctly!

The only thing that is weird now, is that the right signal indicator light stays when the turn signals are off. If I turn the right signal on, it blinks like it should, but when the signal clicks off, the indicator stays on. This only happens when my headlights are on. If I turn them off, the problem goes away.

Is still related to the flasher problem?
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 12:03 PM
Tiny
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Actually, it sounds like there is a short in the wiring or a bad ground to the signal light itself. Electric will always take the easiest way out, so if there is a bad ground, the power will find the next ground. In this case it is through the signal. As a result, power is passing through the turn signal circuit to a ground and causing the light to stay on. (I realize that wasn't easy to follow). Basically what I need you to do is check the light sockets for that side of the vehicle and determine where they get a ground. Make sure it is clean, tight, and unbroken.

NOTE: This could also be the result of a bad light socket. Make sure nothing looks melted or worn in the socket becuause both the parking lights and brake lights work from the same socket. Since it only happens when the lights are on, that would be my first guess because the signal / brake circuit could be getting power from the parking lights when on.

Let me know if this helps, and check the sockets first.

Joe
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
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I'll do that right away. I happen to be an apprentice level electrician, fresh out of training, so your post was very understandable, though I AM more used to houses than cars.

I will reply back with results ASAP.

Nevermind the problem I posted, I figured out how to remove the turn signal bulbs. I was doing it all wrong. The right side front one seemed pretty corroded, so much so, that the bulb separated from the metal screw part, so I guess I'm gonna be buying some more turn signals anyway.

UPDATE: I went ahead and popped both signal lights out, and while they were both corroded, the one on the left had rust going between two contacts, though I'm unsure if that was two hots, with the neutral elsewhere, or if it was one hot and one neutral.
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
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They are both hot at different times. One is hot with the parking lights, the other is hot when the signal or brakes are on. They ground through the steel part of the socket that the bulb plugs into.
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the positive feedback. Let me know if you find the problem.
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 10:23 PM
Tiny
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I replaced both front signal/parking lights for 3 bucks, and now everything is working A-OK.

Thanks a million.
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Monday, July 12th, 2010 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
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Hi:
I'm glad it's fixed. Now you know the basics of auto electric. It gets more complicated regarding other items, but electric never changes. It always tries to find the easiest way out. Just like your sockets, other connectors and wires can do the same.

I'm glad that I was able to help, and thank you for using 2carpros. Com. Let us know if you have questions in the future and take care.

Joe
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Friday, July 16th, 2010 AT 9:36 PM

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