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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: SteveWT324 on August 26, 2019, 11:40:14 AM
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Hello, I have a strange problem. When the headlights are on, the left turn arrow remains on and doesn't blink or make the turn signal "click" sound when I put the arm into the left turn position. The right turn operation is fine with lights on or off. When the lights are off, the left and right turn signals operate as they should with the lit arrows and "click". When I turn on the 4-way flash switch it operates as it should .
Can someone advise on where to start with addressing this problem?
Thank you
Steve Tontz
Stevewt324@aol.com
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I believe your flasher unit is fried. If you did not already check it, it is the silver cylinder under the dash just right of the steering wheel. It is a little smaller and shorter than a "C" size battery. It just plugs in. Pull on it and it should come out. A new one will cost about $8.
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Thanks JoeBob, I hope it is just a flasher. I have two close together. I think the smaller one is for turn signals and the longer one is for the 4-way flash feature. Will let you know how this turns out.
Steve Tontz
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Check the ground onnection to the headlite/ flasher.
The flasher is a current activated device, that is the current flowing thru the turn signal.lamps heats a bi metal strip in the flasher and causes it to bend and break the circuit. When the strip cools, it returns and the circuit is again completed and the lights etc etc.
If the ground isnt secure then the current from the headlight tends to "overload" the local ground to the turn signal light.
This in turn reduces the current thru the light and flasher so that there is not enough current to make the flasher work.
Check all the connections, esqpecially the vround, leading to the headlite, side marker and turn signals to make sure they are clean (that means shiny) and secure (tight fitting)
Also check that the connections to the turn signal bulb base and socket are clean and tight so that the bulb makes good contact.
To check connections try wiggling the connections and bulbs with the lights on to.determine if there is a loose connection.
You might also coat the contacts with battery corrosion spray to keep them clean.
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Thank you very much LongTimeFordma n. I'll follow your advice. Where would the grounds be located for he turn signal/parking lights?
Best wishes,
Steve Tontz
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Heres a link to a post here where you can find a link to a wiring diagram.
The pinto section starts about page 16 and has connector diagrams and grounding locations.
https://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/for-those-with-1972-pintos-or-fords-link-to-the-72-ford-wiring-and-vacuum-book/
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Steve have you found your problem yet? Usually what you are describing is caused by a grounding issue at the bulbs, and normally it is between the bulb base and the socket. What happens is an 1157 bulb shares a common ground for both filaments so if the ground is bad than the voltage will back feed through the other circuit to a ground. In your case it sounds like the tail light circuit is back feeding through the brake/turn-signal circuit and that is the reason you are seeing the turn indicator on when the lights are on. I have also found a few times that a filament will break and the vibration will allow it to contact the other filament and weld itself in place. Not near as common as a ground issue but can happen.