Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









Search Auto Parts

87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on.


  Email This Post



jackflint
New User

Apr 13, 2015, 7:59 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1426 views)
87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on. Sign In

1987 Ford f150 xlt lariat inline v6, 92k miles
Started my truck one day and my right turn signal indicator stayed on. checked the signals and they didn't work. i can manually make them blink but they don't click on their own. left side works fine. when i have my head lights on i get no light on the right side at all. my hazard lights work fine even if the lights are on too. my license plate lights went out the same time as my signal. i tried grounding a wire i found hanging loose in the rear tail light but that didn't fix anything. i have an electric trailer hookup that got wet from some rain the other day. can that cause electric problems? anyone have this problem before? any help is much appreciated.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 13, 2015, 8:28 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1419 views)
Re: 87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on. Sign In

Trailer wiring can be a constant issue with funky problems - redo to make it right if need be. Grounds always count. You can check that they are in fact grounded with a plain test light back powered light on grounds.


Question on them staying on? Do you mean they didn't cancel when you made a turn then back to straight ahead? If so may need to look at the switch I think '87 Trucks may still all be inside column under steering wheel - tools needed to access. Springs or things touching in wrong places need be fixed or removed if can and put up with no cancel feature or new as needed when seen.


Again - all grounds need be good front and rear. Take off and clean as needed with wire brush and make good then grease over when finished to last.


Note: Headlights can HOG the available ground such that other lighting might not get enough,


T



jackflint
New User

Apr 13, 2015, 1:28 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1405 views)
Re: 87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on. Sign In

the switch is good, it goes back off when i straighten out. the switch was replace about 3 months ago. its just the indicator that stays on and the actual light itself. when i put my right signal on, it clicks and then stays constantly on until i click it back down. my tag light went out but the bulbs are still good. when my head lights are on i get the click but no lights at all.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 13, 2015, 2:28 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1401 views)
Re: 87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on. Sign In

You may have to go to the sockets with bulbs out to find power and ground. That arrow on dash can do that when there isn't enough power being used up for directionals to blink.


Two strikes against you with this is the truck bed isn't actually grounded to the frame unless added and any trailer wiring and how it was done is way too common a spot for strange problems. Tag light(s) should just be the running light power. Should really only need one wire if they are mounted on metal that is ground such as the bumper or they would use two wires. Keep in mind you could buy this truck without a bumper at all so it still would have had a spot for a tag and be lit up with lights on,


T



jackflint
New User

Apr 14, 2015, 7:03 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1383 views)
Re: 87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on. Sign In

thank you very much for your help, ill see what i can do with it today and get back to you. much appreciated!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 14, 2015, 7:31 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1379 views)
Re: 87 Ford f150, right side turn signals dont work while headlights are on. Sign In

Good luck. Can be a challenge just running around turning things on and off for testing.


Do use bulb grease if there and should anyway. If you come across a socket that's junk they should be available but probably all same color wires? Do solder wiring if tapping into or replacing any with shrink wrap over it.


Some tricks for working alone that help if so: Use a expandable cane, walking stick, umbrella to hold brake pedal if checking brake lights.


Directionals usually use same flasher type as the hazards. Swap them if in question if identical. They can hide one at least real well and think one in with fuses?


To back power is a pest. Hey - be safe but can use jumper cables from truck's battery on a test light to find what's really ground out back checking stuff. DO NOT LET A HOT CLAMP TOUCH ANYTHING OF COURSE!


Jumpers can also temporarily add ground battery to bare metal. Pay attention of course.


You'll find it,




T







  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap