Turn Signal Issues!

mingez · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 07:55 PM

Intermititent problem:

For no reason after working fine, all of a sudden my left turn signal light won't work when my lights are on. And when this happens, my right turn signal works, but during it's "on" phase, causes my dash lights and radio display to dim. What tha---?

joejeepny · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 07:58 PM

Sounds like a loose ground

88Wrangles · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 07:59 PM

yep, I think joejeepny is right

mingez · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 08:10 PM

Yeah, but based on the symptoms where would you first look. I hate electrical cause it's always so daunting. AHhhhhh!

88Wrangles · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 08:15 PM

haha, well...I don't have a Jeep any more, so I can't go out and tell you where exactly to look, But I would just follow the wireing harness along and make sure all the wires are secure and that the insulation around them isn't worn down and exposing any bare wires. The check all of the grounds along the way (don't know where they are exactly) and make ture they are all tight and making a good conection.

Look up under the dash and follow the wires along in there as well.

Is this on your TJ?

mingez · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88Wrangles

Is this on your TJ?

Psshhhhhh... Yeah. Unfortunately.

88Wrangles · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 08:23 PM

Shouldn't be "too" hard to find the problem then. It's not like there's a lot of extra, unneccesary crap on a wrangler like there is on a Cherokee or anyother vehicle!

joejeepny · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 08:34 PM

Is it when its wet or dry. does it happen when you hit a bump.

mingez · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 10:28 PM

It's hit or miss. I haven't noticed about wetness, but it has been raining a lot lately. As for bumps, I hit so many of those I have no idea there.

TwistedCopper · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 10:45 PM

Aftermarket radio? Could be someone left an illumination lead uninsulated when it was installed and it is making contact to ground or maybe someone could have mistaken it for a ground wire. Sometimes they test as a ground, but have 12V on them when the lights are on.

Long shot I know, but that can cause all kinds of quirky problems.

mingez · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 10:59 PM

Factory radio. But I think the dash has been opened a few times by the guy that owned it before me. I guess I'm gonna have to do this the hard way. Thanks guys.

Any more thoughts?

TwistedCopper · #12 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 11:12 PM

Drive the XJ at night. :)

mingez · #13 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedCopper

Drive the XJ at night. :)

LOL, If I can get that Fargin' thing to stop death wobbling on me I would. Ahhhhhh the wonders of owning two project Jeeps. :wink:

Tug-n-pull · #14 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 11:59 PM

Just stick you arm out the window and hand signal! Man I can remember when that was common place and today it would just freak people out if you did such a thing! however I think at least here in Tennessee it is still on the law books as leagal for turn and break signals. Just out of curiouity how many of you even know what a had signal for stop left and right turns are! tug

mingez · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 12:34 AM

Right Turn - Upper arm straight out parallel to the road, forearm and hand straight up and perpendicular to the road
Left Turn - Arm straight out and parallel to the road.
Braking/stop - Upper arm straight out parallel to the road, forearm and hand straight down and perpendicular to the road

And the same signs apply when driving in the snow...uphill...bothways. JK, hee hee

90Xjay · #16 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 01:35 AM

Hey Mingez,

I know it is a pain, but I would check the bulb sockets in the left turn signal housings front and rear for corrosion and make sure the bulbs are making good contact.

mingez · #17 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90Xjay

Hey Mingez,

I know it is a pain, but I would check the bulb sockets in the left turn signal housings front and rear for corrosion and make sure the bulbs are making good contact.

Hey... Good Point! I'll do that.

TwistedCopper · #18 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 09:28 AM

Hand signals are still legal, but you can get an inspection ticket for not having working signals on the vehicle.

Problem with hand signals is most yahoo's would just think you were waving at them.

mud4feet · #19 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Problem with hand signals is most yahoo's would just think you were waving at them.

Especially in a Jeep (the ol' "Jeep Wave" thing)!

TwistedCopper · #20 (**permalink**) 10-23-2004, 11:23 AM

Mingez, what I wrote about the illumination lead in the dash is probably not related to your problem if the radio is stock, but the lighting circuit can have wires that are grounded until they get turned on, then they have 12V. This would mean there is a strong possibility that you have a ground on one of the parking light wires or sockets. The blinkers work ok while the lights are off, but when 12v is put on a grounded conductor you would have results like the ones you described.

As recommended above, check the sockets. Also look for corrosion or fraying in all the wiring harnesses and plugs that are around the lights. Best of luck, electrical issues on cars can be a real PITA