Turn Signal Problem

[Sonny]

I got in my deucenahalf this morning to go to work and at the first turn I noticed that the turn indicators weren't functioning. They were fine two days ago when I last drove it but today they refused to work. All other lightning seem to be fine. The only thing I may mention is that it has rained quite a bit in the last two days. Where would you suggest I look first? I hope I figure out how to see your responses since this is my first post and I haven't figured out how to use the forum yet.

Many Thanks!

Sonny Heath
Florida

 

[Desert Rat]

Sonny;
Usually the wiring system on these trucks has some age and dry rot to them by the time we get our caring hands on them. The insulation is usually the old style cotton weave reinforced rubber. Believe me this stuff was outdated back in the '50's in civilian applications! Anyway, we're stuck with it unless we have very DEEP pockets to purchase a new harness. I'm learning very quickly rewiring a Deuce is considerably more complex than what it appears to be. So, the first suggestion is to get a meter and start tracing wires to see if you have a hot side that has worn through the wiring and is grounding out. Be very gentle with these brittle wires. Try not to bend them too much or too often. Another thought is since you are in Florida, you may have a corrosion problem as well. If this is so your job just got exponentially worse in regard to dry rot and corrosion problems with the system. Patience is needed especially in a case like that. The new wiring harness has all the modern wiring insulation which is less suseptible to dry rot and corrosion. But it's a real pain to install. Don't forget to check your turn signal switch as well. Those brass parts hate latent air-borne saltwater particles! Keep us updated!

 

[Sonny]

My truck is not that old at all. Its something that happened overnight to the thing. All the wiring looks like new. I just didn't know where to start troubleshooting when all lights except turn signals work. I suppose I could start by replacing the turn signal arm on the steering coluum with one from another truck and see if that helps. There is no power reaching them at all, if there was I would probably see a flash until the circuit breaker got hot and shut them down. Thanks for the info. Sonny

 

[Longhunter7]

Sonny!

Check the ground! I had a problem with the turn signals not working at times. <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_question.gif" alt="Question">

It turned out to be the clamp that holds the turn signals to the steering column! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_pissed.gif" alt="Pissed">

I tightened the clamp <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_idea.gif" alt="Idea"><img src="speech/icon_speech_duh.gif" border="0"> and they have worked fine ever since!

 

[outlaw]

when mine stop working it was a bad ground
to the control unit the one on the in side of
the left fender

 

[Sonny]

Thanks fellows! I'll definitely check both of those places for a faulty ground. I'm sure its something simple, I hope it is anyway. Was busy today on other stuff but maybe tomorrow and I'll post my findings here. Sonny

 

[KenAndVicShow]

SONNY, I have had that same problem happen to me on both M35A2's, it worked the night before but not the next day<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_angry.gif" alt="Angry">. On the first truck it was the grounding clamp, and a year later it was the flasher box, located under the hood just below the access panel on the driver side. On the second truck it was also the flasher box. The flasher boxes are on ebay all the time, but I have seen them in the Military Vehicle Magazine new for around $30... Good Luck...