Turn signal weirdness
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Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Turn signal weirdness
Hey! Long time lurker, first time poster. This forum has helped me do many repairs myself. But I can’t find the answer to this:
A few days ago, my left turn signal sped up. History told me the bulb was burnt out. No big deal. The left rear signal didn’t light up. Changed the bulb.
Problem was not solved.
So I did more checking.
Back up light worked (same bulb as turn signal)
Brake light worked.
Hazard flashed didn’t work ( same bulb as brake light)
I changed the turn signal flasher. No change.
It must be a wiring issue. But I put these clues together—both bulbs work some times and not others, the flasher speeding up—and I am not sure where to start. What I am reading says these things shouldn’t go together.
Any help ya’ll could pass along would be amazing.
A few days ago, my left turn signal sped up. History told me the bulb was burnt out. No big deal. The left rear signal didn’t light up. Changed the bulb.
Problem was not solved.
So I did more checking.
Back up light worked (same bulb as turn signal)
Brake light worked.
Hazard flashed didn’t work ( same bulb as brake light)
I changed the turn signal flasher. No change.
It must be a wiring issue. But I put these clues together—both bulbs work some times and not others, the flasher speeding up—and I am not sure where to start. What I am reading says these things shouldn’t go together.
Any help ya’ll could pass along would be amazing.
Welcome long time lurker
You should know better, lol, post YEAR and engine when asking a question
Ford used several different wiring setups for turn signals from 1983 to 2012
Fast flashing usually means a short, a higher Load on the circuit, like when adding trailer lights, turn signals flash a bit faster
No flashing usually means burn out bulb because there is not enough of a Load, so flasher doesn't heat up enough
Most flashers are thermal, there is a bi-metal piece that curves when heated and straightens out when cool, so when you turn on the turn signal the light bulbs get power and this heats up that bi-metal piece which bends and opens the connection, then it cools off and closes again, then heats up, then cools of, ect........
If you change to LED bulbs they don't draw enough power, so not enough heat and no flash
When you add another set of bubs, trailer lights then it heats up faster so faster flashing
You should know better, lol, post YEAR and engine when asking a question
Ford used several different wiring setups for turn signals from 1983 to 2012
Fast flashing usually means a short, a higher Load on the circuit, like when adding trailer lights, turn signals flash a bit faster
No flashing usually means burn out bulb because there is not enough of a Load, so flasher doesn't heat up enough
Most flashers are thermal, there is a bi-metal piece that curves when heated and straightens out when cool, so when you turn on the turn signal the light bulbs get power and this heats up that bi-metal piece which bends and opens the connection, then it cools off and closes again, then heats up, then cools of, ect........
If you change to LED bulbs they don't draw enough power, so not enough heat and no flash
When you add another set of bubs, trailer lights then it heats up faster so faster flashing
Last edited by RonD; Nov 1, 2018 at 08:49 PM.
Diagrams below
2003 just has one flasher unit for both turn and hazards, located in Relay box 1, above gas pedal under dash usually, several relays in that box
The one bulb that was "blown", was it blown?
Did you test it with ohm meter or swap it out to other side?
Maybe that wire is the one that has shorted
Ford added separate trailer light wiring on Rangers, but some people still splice into trucks wiring harness so have a look for those wire TAPS that are popular with DIYers
2003 just has one flasher unit for both turn and hazards, located in Relay box 1, above gas pedal under dash usually, several relays in that box
The one bulb that was "blown", was it blown?
Did you test it with ohm meter or swap it out to other side?
Maybe that wire is the one that has shorted
Ford added separate trailer light wiring on Rangers, but some people still splice into trucks wiring harness so have a look for those wire TAPS that are popular with DIYers
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Thank you!
These diagrams really help.
The bulb I replaced looked fine. I changed it around six months ago. I didn’t test it, but I will.
I noticed when I changed the flasher that the relays next to it were hot. That was strange because truck was cold. The key was in the ignition. But I can’t figure that is related to this problem.
These diagrams really help.
The bulb I replaced looked fine. I changed it around six months ago. I didn’t test it, but I will.
I noticed when I changed the flasher that the relays next to it were hot. That was strange because truck was cold. The key was in the ignition. But I can’t figure that is related to this problem.
Here is the layout of relay box 1: https://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/b...3_Capture1.PNG
Shouldn't be anything hot, interior lamp relay would be warm if door was open
Shouldn't be anything hot, interior lamp relay would be warm if door was open
Welcome to North American Ranger forum
You have a T6 Ranger which is much different than our North American model
Ours look like this: https://www.cstatic-images.com/car-p...ot145b0101.png
Smaller than yours
Try this forum: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...Ford-amp-Mazda
You have a T6 Ranger which is much different than our North American model
Ours look like this: https://www.cstatic-images.com/car-p...ot145b0101.png
Smaller than yours
Try this forum: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...Ford-amp-Mazda
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: AL
Welcome long time lurker
You should know better, lol, post YEAR and engine when asking a question
Ford used several different wiring setups for turn signals from 1983 to 2012
Fast flashing usually means a short, a higher Load on the circuit, like when adding trailer lights, turn signals flash a bit faster
No flashing usually means burn out bulb because there is not enough of a Load, so flasher doesn't heat up enough
Most flashers are thermal, there is a bi-metal piece that curves when heated and straightens out when cool, so when you turn on the turn signal the light bulbs get power and this heats up that bi-metal piece which bends and opens the connection, then it cools off and closes again, then heats up, then cools of, ect........
If you change to LED bulbs they don't draw enough power, so not enough heat and no flash
When you add another set of bubs, trailer lights then it heats up faster so faster flashing
You should know better, lol, post YEAR and engine when asking a question
Ford used several different wiring setups for turn signals from 1983 to 2012
Fast flashing usually means a short, a higher Load on the circuit, like when adding trailer lights, turn signals flash a bit faster
No flashing usually means burn out bulb because there is not enough of a Load, so flasher doesn't heat up enough
Most flashers are thermal, there is a bi-metal piece that curves when heated and straightens out when cool, so when you turn on the turn signal the light bulbs get power and this heats up that bi-metal piece which bends and opens the connection, then it cools off and closes again, then heats up, then cools of, ect........
If you change to LED bulbs they don't draw enough power, so not enough heat and no flash
When you add another set of bubs, trailer lights then it heats up faster so faster flashing
Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 393
From: Everett, WA
It would be cheaper just to buy a "Heavy Duty" flasher.
A standard duty flasher will stop blinking when you have a burned out light, but hyper flash when you connect a trailer.
A heavy duty flash will keep flashing when you have a burned out bulb, but will flash regularly with or without a trailer.
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: AL
only if you put LED's on the trailer.
It would be cheaper just to buy a "Heavy Duty" flasher.
A standard duty flasher will stop blinking when you have a burned out light, but hyper flash when you connect a trailer.
A heavy duty flash will keep flashing when you have a burned out bulb, but will flash regularly with or without a trailer.
It would be cheaper just to buy a "Heavy Duty" flasher.
A standard duty flasher will stop blinking when you have a burned out light, but hyper flash when you connect a trailer.
A heavy duty flash will keep flashing when you have a burned out bulb, but will flash regularly with or without a trailer.
sounds like a great idea. Thank you!
Up thru 1994, Rangers have TWO Flashers, one on the front of Cab fuse box, for turn signals, and one on the back of the cab fuse box for 4-ways(hazards)
So you may want to get 2 flashers and replace both
Don't have to, just saying if you did have a break down with trailer attached might be nice to have 4-ways working normally
1995 and up Rangers have a dual combo flasher, not in the cab fuse box, does both turn and 4-way
So you may want to get 2 flashers and replace both
Don't have to, just saying if you did have a break down with trailer attached might be nice to have 4-ways working normally
1995 and up Rangers have a dual combo flasher, not in the cab fuse box, does both turn and 4-way
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: AL
Up thru 1994, Rangers have TWO Flashers, one on the front of Cab fuse box, for turn signals, and one on the back of the cab fuse box for 4-ways(hazards)
So you may want to get 2 flashers and replace both
Don't have to, just saying if you did have a break down with trailer attached might be nice to have 4-ways working normally
1995 and up Rangers have a dual combo flasher, not in the cab fuse box, does both turn and 4-way
So you may want to get 2 flashers and replace both
Don't have to, just saying if you did have a break down with trailer attached might be nice to have 4-ways working normally
1995 and up Rangers have a dual combo flasher, not in the cab fuse box, does both turn and 4-way
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