Turn signal issue need some help

Hey all, my turn signals dont seem to work and i dont really know where to start. Does anyone have some sugestions on how to go about fixing them? Thanks!

My electrical knowledge is pretty thin, but I do know that if all of them aren't working it won't be a problem at the turn signals themselves but more likely in the main wiring, the turn signal flasher itself (underneath the glovebox -- it goes 'tick tick tick') or maybe in the turn signal lever/stalk near the steering wheel which might be defective. Someone with ELECTRICAL SKILLS will know a lot more than that, I imagine. Me, I just go to my electrical guy. Wiring scares me a little. :)

Use the search function below, type in wiring diagram. You'll find a link there. Get a multi-meter.

Flip the emergency flasher switch on and off a dozen times then try the turn signals again. turn signal power is routed through the emergency flasher switch so the turn signals won't work when the emergency flashers are in use. Sometimes the "H" conductor becomes corroded, and flipping the switch can sometimes break it up. Otherwise, find the turn signal flasher, probably behind the glove box...assuming you have one...you didn't identify your car type or year model. Check for power to the flasher with the turn signal on.

Report back what you find, and post your car model.

Thanks all. My car is a 79 mgb. I will try flipping the hazard switch.

Ok so hazard switch didnt seem to make a difference so i went under the glove box and saw two relays/ switches one on top of the other, the top one was larger and was connected to two wires and the bottom one had no wires going to it. The wires that seemed to go to the bottom one were connected to a circular type relay. I got the flashers to work by disconnecting and connecting the wires on the larger top relay/switch but i still cant seem to get the turn signals to work. I am a bit confused. Any suggestions? Thanks guys

A relay has four prongs. Those are probably all flashers, one for turn signals and one for emergency flashers. The "round relay" is no doubt an after-market flasher installed when the original flasher (the one with no wires) gave out. Switch the wires and see what work and what doesn't.

You may need to remove the emergency flasher switch and clean it or replace it. First, remove the bottom two wires from the emergency flasher switch and bridge them. If the turn signals work, its definitely the emergency flasher switch. If not, the switch is probably OK and the fault is somewhere else. Use your volt meter to see if there is power to each of the wires going to both of the flasher units.

My flasher switches/relays have only two prongs. There are only two wires going into each. The one on the top went click click when the hazards were turned on but if you flipped the stalk nothing happend.

I re-read my post and it wasn't clear. The rocker switch that turns on the emergency (hazard) flasher has two rows of wires attached at the rear, behind the dash. Disconnect the bottom two wires and bridge them. This takes the rocker switch out of the turn signal circuit.

Alex,

My B is a '73 so things could be a little different. My interior is mostly out now and I noticed the P.O. had routed a new "feed" wire directly from a switched source on the fuse block, through the firewall to one side of the flasher (behind the glove box). Essentially, to get power to the flasher and the signal lights. (Sorry, I can't recall which color wire presently). If you need, I could check and get back to you.

I tried to re-connect the "dead" side if the existing flasher wire to the factory wire nearby to make things original again but I got no juice there... no matter what I did. Fuses, other switches... made no difference... it was dead and things would not flash. I assume a repair was attempted by the previous owner(s) and they gave up. The end result is I re-attached this feed wire and taped the old dead wire (to insulate) and let it be at that. Basically, I returned it as they had it. If you hit a dead end, you might consider their tactic as I've had the car for 3 years with no electrical issues... my 2 cents.

Paul

has your b benn sitting for a while? do all of your guages work? if your b has been sitting for a while and the guages do not work try the contact on the 3rd fuse the lucas fuse box has a tendancy to corode also check the connection on the fuse box if any are corroded clean them and try again make sure you also clean the contact on your fuses they could also corode if isjust the blinkers and the hazard light do not work i would start with the blinker under the dash they are not that expensive and it's a posibility if both hazard and blinker dont work although ta hazard has it's own blinker relay

I recently purchased a 79 B. The turn signals and hazard lights were inoperative. Replacing the hazard (rocker) switch on the dash and the turn signal flasher, both of which had expired, returned each function to full operational status. Thank Heaven that all the wiring was still intact and in good repair.

The factory Lucas turn signal flasher, fed by two green wires, is located on the interior portion of the firewall just to the rear of the glovebox. I used a 552 thermal flasher to restore turn signal functionality. Note that this flasher does not provide a clicking sound when the turn signals are engaged. The dash arrows do illuminate and blink, however.

Note that you will want a 552 flasher, which has two terminals. Places like Advance Auto may indicate that you need a 550 flasher, but with three terminals it will be incompatible for your application. The bonus here is that the correct 552 flasher costs ~$2 less than the incorrect 550 flasher. If you want an electronic flasher, which you may need if you are using LED lights for the exterior lenses, I believe the correct flasher unit is #262.