MustangWorks.com : Ford Forums - View Single Post - turn signal-maybe the whole harness-calling all electricians?

Jeff65 · 07-23-2003, 04:01 PM

Ryan,

I have a '65 so well know what's inside the steering column. How if you've added aftermarket stuff maybe my guidance won't help but here goes:

a. Turn signal switch turns ON intermittently the high intensity filament in tail lights and marker lights in the direction in which the switch is pressed. If you press on the brake, it turns OFF intermittently the high intensity filament in the tail lights and marker lights. Its important to recognize the switch does both ON and OFF switching in order to make the lights blink.

b. The turn signal switch is located in the steering column where it can be cancelled as a result of steering wheel movement. A cancel cam serves to trip the switch back to OFF following a turn. Two alignments must be done to make the cancel cam work. It has to be correctly oriented on the steering wheel. The column has to be adjusted in height to ensure the cancel cam engages the switch.

What to do:

1. REmove steering wheel. Expose turn signal switch. While open, turn key to ACC and engage turn signal handle, first right then left. Check to see that tail lamps and marker lamps work correctly. If they don't work with the steering wheel off then they won't work with it on either. Troubleshoot your problems with the steering wheel removed.

2. If faulty, check connections first. Leaving the steering column are two wire bundles. One has six connections and the other two connections. Ensure both connectors are firmly attached and locked male/female. A bad connection here will result in the kind of problems you have. Note that the six terminal connector has wiring for the parking lights and the two terminal connector has wiring for the brake lights. If you suspect the connections validate by applying 12 volts to each of the connector pins in place as follows:

a. Disconnect six terminal connector, find and apply 12 volts to the green-white wire. Left parking light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit.

b. Disconnect six terminal connector if not already disconnected. find and apply 12 volts to the white-blue wire. Right parking light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit.

c. Disconnect two terminal connector, find and apply 12 volts to the green-orange wire. Left stop light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit. Likely in connectors at tail lamp assembly.

d. Disconnect two terminal connector if not already disconnected, find and apply 12 volts to the orange-blue wire. Right stop light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit. Likely in connectors at tail lamp assembly.

The above four tests directly power the lamp filaments and if the lamps don't illuminate then you have to find out why they don't and fix whatever is required. Turn signals will not work unless these circuits are good.

Once you know you have good circuitry and harnesses, then check the switch and replace it if necessary.

After checking or replacing switch, replace connectors and test system before installing steering wheel.

Replacing steering wheel:

1. Install cancel cam on steering wheel underside, orient the fingers of the cam towards the turn signal switch. With wheels straight ahead, and steering wheel held in upright position, cancel cam middle (middle of the two fingers) should point directly at the middle of the turn signal switch. Flip steering wheel over and adjust cam until it is correctly oriented.

2. Install steering wheel paying heed to the installed height above the steering column. If there is a gap between the column and the wheel the cancel cam may not engage the switch. If the gap is closed and tight (not overly so but close) then the cancel cam should work. Click right and turn the wheel right. Return wheel to center and switch should cancel. Repeat for left signal, turn wheel left then return to center. Switch should cancel.

If it doesn't cancel, loose two bolts at base of steering column and slide column upward to better mate with installed steering wheel. The column and bracket are designed to allow about 3/8" of travel and should be enough to close any gap you might have provided the steering wheel is properly installed. With aftermarket steering wheel hubs you may have to work at it a bit to achieve a small gap. If you're satisfied the steering wheel is safely installed yet it the column does not pull up high enough, you can remove the column and expand the hole in its side to allow for more travel. Do this only if you're perfectly satisfied the steering wheel is properly and safely mounted.

Hope this helps.

07-23-2003, 04:01 PM	#3
Jeff65 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 208	Ryan, I have a '65 so well know what's inside the steering column. How if you've added aftermarket stuff maybe my guidance won't help but here goes: a. Turn signal switch turns ON intermittently the high intensity filament in tail lights and marker lights in the direction in which the switch is pressed. If you press on the brake, it turns OFF intermittently the high intensity filament in the tail lights and marker lights. Its important to recognize the switch does both ON and OFF switching in order to make the lights blink. b. The turn signal switch is located in the steering column where it can be cancelled as a result of steering wheel movement. A cancel cam serves to trip the switch back to OFF following a turn. Two alignments must be done to make the cancel cam work. It has to be correctly oriented on the steering wheel. The column has to be adjusted in height to ensure the cancel cam engages the switch. What to do: 1. REmove steering wheel. Expose turn signal switch. While open, turn key to ACC and engage turn signal handle, first right then left. Check to see that tail lamps and marker lamps work correctly. If they don't work with the steering wheel off then they won't work with it on either. Troubleshoot your problems with the steering wheel removed. 2. If faulty, check connections first. Leaving the steering column are two wire bundles. One has six connections and the other two connections. Ensure both connectors are firmly attached and locked male/female. A bad connection here will result in the kind of problems you have. Note that the six terminal connector has wiring for the parking lights and the two terminal connector has wiring for the brake lights. If you suspect the connections validate by applying 12 volts to each of the connector pins in place as follows: a. Disconnect six terminal connector, find and apply 12 volts to the green-white wire. Left parking light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit. b. Disconnect six terminal connector if not already disconnected. find and apply 12 volts to the white-blue wire. Right parking light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit. c. Disconnect two terminal connector, find and apply 12 volts to the green-orange wire. Left stop light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit. Likely in connectors at tail lamp assembly. d. Disconnect two terminal connector if not already disconnected, find and apply 12 volts to the orange-blue wire. Right stop light should illuminate. If it doesn't trace down and locate open circuit. Likely in connectors at tail lamp assembly. The above four tests directly power the lamp filaments and if the lamps don't illuminate then you have to find out why they don't and fix whatever is required. Turn signals will not work unless these circuits are good. Once you know you have good circuitry and harnesses, then check the switch and replace it if necessary. After checking or replacing switch, replace connectors and test system before installing steering wheel. Replacing steering wheel: 1. Install cancel cam on steering wheel underside, orient the fingers of the cam towards the turn signal switch. With wheels straight ahead, and steering wheel held in upright position, cancel cam middle (middle of the two fingers) should point directly at the middle of the turn signal switch. Flip steering wheel over and adjust cam until it is correctly oriented. 2. Install steering wheel paying heed to the installed height above the steering column. If there is a gap between the column and the wheel the cancel cam may not engage the switch. If the gap is closed and tight (not overly so but close) then the cancel cam should work. Click right and turn the wheel right. Return wheel to center and switch should cancel. Repeat for left signal, turn wheel left then return to center. Switch should cancel. If it doesn't cancel, loose two bolts at base of steering column and slide column upward to better mate with installed steering wheel. The column and bracket are designed to allow about 3/8" of travel and should be enough to close any gap you might have provided the steering wheel is properly installed. With aftermarket steering wheel hubs you may have to work at it a bit to achieve a small gap. If you're satisfied the steering wheel is safely installed yet it the column does not pull up high enough, you can remove the column and expand the hole in its side to allow for more travel. Do this only if you're perfectly satisfied the steering wheel is properly and safely mounted. Hope this helps.