Electrical Problem?

[90'5.0 Conv]

Ok, about a month ago, I happenend to notice my turn signal wasn't working. I thought maybe it was a fuse or something. Didn't have one at the time to replace it. Then the next moring, I noticed the heater wasn't working? I kept wondering what was up so later on that day I drive the car and the turn signals work and the heater work so then I was confused. Now, I have a heater, tunsignals, and the convertible top(just noticed it) that won't work but if they do work, they work at the same time. In other words, if the turn signal works properly the top will work properly. If the heater works the turn signals and top will work. If one of them doesn't work, then none of those otems do. Hope I didn't lose you there. They aren't all on the same fuse or anything are they? I don't have a book to tell me. I don't have a clue besides the ground maybe?

Thanks, James

[Mr 5 0]

Turn signal and heater blower fuses are different amps and different fuses. Not sure what the power convertible top amperage is. Probably not a fuse problem but a wiring problem. Short or possible ground, as you guessed.

Check the ground, first, then the wiring. A wiring diagram would be a big help here but unfortunately, I don't have one.

I hate electrical gremlins!

[Agent_4573]

I had a problem like this in my old car, it turned out that someone dropped a penny behind the dashboard and it shorted out a few circuits. I tried for hours to locate the problem and endedup taking it to the dealer who charged me 200 to rip the dash apart and take out a penny.....

I didn't even get the penny back.

[90'5.0 Conv]

Now that I think about it, about 2 months ago I installed my new tach and trans temp gauge. Do you think I might have done something wrong while I had the gauges exposed. The problem still came a month afterwards but I don't want to tear the gauges back out to look. I checked the ground and it was good so who knows, it may be in there, it may not . Grrrrr... I hate electrical gremlins too!

Agent-Did the penny wind up on the circuit board behing all the gauges? There is a plastic cover over it if I remember right isn't there?

James

[Agent_4573]

No, it wasn't on the circuit board. I think the dealer told me it shorted through a couple wires. I guess it landed on a clump of wires and just wore itself through the isulation. I didn't pick the car up from the dealer, so I'm not sure exactly what he said. I got second hand from my dad(the one that picked it up) that this is what happened. Sorry i can't narrow it down more. And electrical gremlins suck.

[90'5.0 Conv]

Well so far I checked the engine ground, the battery ground and I just got done tearing the gauges out and checking everything back there, wiggling wires and checking continuity to ground in the harnesses. I don't think it has anything to do with that area now. I'm running out of ideas. Has anyones top motor went out and shorted to ground? But what would that have to do with the turn signals and blower motor. Geez, I just don't know what else to look at. Thanks for any ideas.

James

[90'5.0 Conv]

Aha, I just figured it out with this post right here after a little search. I haven't seen this guy before but I sure do appreciate his help! Man, what a relief, everyone needs to remember this if they start to have a problem with the blower motor and turn sigs not working at the same time or in my case since I have a convertible, the top also didn't work. Kinda weird but this same connector clips under the dash and has to be grounded to some metal in order to work. I just touched mine to ground and everything worked. i'm so relieved. I guess I eliminated that gremlin!!

Thanks for the help everyone, James

Originally posted by 93blkGTfun
I had this exact same problem in my mustang. For a few months the blinkers and blower motor would work sporatically, but after that they quit completely. Inside the dash, attached to the right side of the steering column, is a large, approx 3'' electrical connector, that plugs in with two clips. One of the clips on mine was cracked, which made it loose, if i pushed in on it tje blinkers and blower motor came on. My solution was to use a couple of electrical wire ties. You can access this connector under the grey panel that is right above your knees. Just take of the steering column cover and the knee panel, and hopefully it will solve your problem.

[flyin 5.8]

I had a Bronco II that would do something close to that, but only when it was below 10* outside. It turned out that the key wasn't rotating all the way back to the "ON" position. Seeing that your in GA (Georgia?) I don't think the temp. would be the cause, but it seems possible that dirt in the ignition switich would do the same thing?

Next time it does it try to rotate the key back a little bit.

It took me about two months to figure this out. Of course it had to be Jan. and Feb!!! It's so simple that it's easy to overlook! Just thought I'd give it a shot.