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1988 Ford Mustang Malfunction - Electrical & Lighting Systems
Question: Turn signal lights stopped working (both L&R do not light up or flash). The hazard lights work, they are on a different power circuit, but use the same ground path. I replaced the flasher, no luck. I replaced the turn signal switch assembly, no luck. I meter 12v into the turn signal switch, when I engage the turn signal the voltage drops to 2volts (two volts)steady voltage. Any ideas what problem is?
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Technican: Hello, Do you have voltage present at the turn signal flasher? Have you tested for voltage at a signal light bulb socket with the signal turned on and the bulb removed? What did the wiring harness side of the turn signal switch connector look like...any sign of heat damage?
Please advise.
Owner: Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I have 12v on both sides of the flasher.
No sign of heat damage, all terminals look great, and the plastic housing and connector are fine.
With the ignition on, turn signal on, I removed a signal bulb and measured the voltage both bulb terminals to ground was 18v, across the 2 bulb terminals 1 volt.
I turned off the turn signal, and turned on the hazard lights. My meter blinked OL (open line) in sync with the flashing of my flashing hazard lights going from bulb terminal to ground, both sides.
Technican: Have you tested your alternator output? The 18 volt reading you found really worries me. The max voltage a 12 volt car can stand is 16.5 volts before parts start frying.
Have you tested the bulbs for continuity from the solder terminal to the base/side of the bulb? Do the bulb contacts appear to have been hot? I've seen cars come in with all the headlights burned out from the alternator overcharging the battery.
I'm going to get a wiring diagram and get back to you.
Technican: The solid state flasher on the rear of the I/P Fuse Panel should have battery power input on the PPL/ORG and RED/WHT wires. If it does then both #1 and #3 fuses for the system are good.
When turn signals are activated the flasher will pulse power to the multifunction switch over the LT BLU wire terminal (#1 on the flasher to terminal #44 on the multifunction switch)and thus flash the selected signal light.
When emergency flashers are activated the flasher will pulse power on the WHT/RED wire (terminal #3 on the flasher to terminal #385 on the multifunction switch) and the hazard lights will flash.
If your hazard lights work then your ground for the flasher is good for both hazard and turn signal lights. This ground #206 is behind the center of the dash.
Do you have a fax number? I can send you the schematic.
Please advise.
Owner: Hi,
There is no heat damage in the bulb sockets around or near the terminals.
The 18v reading I didn't believe, but I checked the battery and read 12.4v, re-checked the socket and 18v. The car was not running so the alternator was not charging, I only had the ignition turned on. Everything works on the car, all lights etc. Just the turn signals stopped working. I purchased another flasher unit today, same result nothing. The flasher does not click. No one was working on the car prior to the turn signals ceasing to work.
I have battery on both sides of the flasher unit, white/red wires. 2 pole flasher unit. I don't have PPL/ORG wires going to the flasher unit. With the turn signal engaged I get a steady 12v at the flasher, but on terminal #44 of the multifunction switch the voltage drops to 2.4 volts steady when the turn signal is engaged. The hazard lights all work, and the back-up lights work which are on the same circuit as the turn signals.
2-3 days prior to the turn signals stopping to work the flash time of the bulb was reduced to a very, very quick flash, from a normal turn signal flash. I don't know if this helps, just thought I would mention.
Technican: Oh boy, I've messed up big time by telling you all about the 1998 Mustang!
Please forgive me and I will get the wiring diagram for your 1988 Mustang. I'm sorry for my mistake. I'll access the data base again tomorrow for you and get the correct info and advise.
Do you have a fax number? (no extra charge)
Respectfully,
Owner: Hi,
Honest mistake, no problem.
I have the Haynes manual for the car and have been using the wire diagram from there. If you have a better one you can fax to (519)650-4895 but you must put on it Attn: Scott Melanson as it is an office fax.
Technican: Hi, I'm reading from the Mitchell 1 Auto Repair Data Base.
I'm seeing the turn signal flasher to be located in the lower left corner of the fuse block for the 1988 Mustang.
The turn signal flasher connection will have one WHT/RED wire on one terminal and on the other terminal are two PPL/ORG wires.
The hazard flasher is outside the fuse box and has one RED/WHT wire on one terminal and one LT BLU wire on the other.
Fuse #1 is for the hazard lights and fuse #5 is for turn signals.
I'll send a fax with cover sheet to your attention later this afternoon when I get back home.
Owner: Hi,
My flasher unit is located on the back of the fuse block upper right hand corner (when viewed from the front as if to replace a fuse). Turning the fuse block around would put the flasher in the upper left corner. With the fuse panel installed, the wires feeding both flasher unit terminals are very visable and are both white with red strip wires. Only 1 wire to each terminal. I wouldn't think the 2.3 would have the turn signals wired different than the 5.0. But the manual doesn't match my car which is a 5.0.
I realized today that my Alpine alarm when armed and disarmed flashes my signal lights doh!, and they flash. I do believe that the it is my Alpine unit that flashes the lights, not the car flasher. I am going to try and find where the alarm system is introduced into the turn signal or hazard light circuit. I may have a bad connection or something goofy going on there. I will also be going over the system again tomorrow, I will have more time than after work, no garage so need the daylight. Other than the alarm, the car is plain Jane stock. 17 years before this car caused me grief so I have had it very good :)
I appreciate your perserverence!
I will redo readings, take another look for the stealth ppl/org wire(s) LOL and get back to you.
I hate electrical car stuff LOL!
Technican: Mitchell 1 shows the exact same diagram for the 1988 GT and the LX. To bring up info for the electrical it does not even ask what engine the car has.
I also looked at a Chilton bedsheet wiring diagram for the 1989 Mustang (they didn't have the 1988) and Chilton showed the same color code and quantity of wires on that model as well. I'm stressing out here!
Did you receive the fax?
Owner: Hi,
I looked at the schematic again, this time with a magnifing glass. I noticed the hazard flasher's wires were w/r, r/w. Hmm wrong flasher? I had to turn the fuse panel sideways so I could see behind the dash panels. I then saw a ppl/org wire coming out of the wire harness, followed it to the bottom of the dash under the steering column, and tucked up in there was the turn signal flasher. It is an original piece, I have never seen a Wagner flasher in a plastic turqious cannister with a square nipple sticking out the centre of the flat area opposite of the connectors. The nipple clips to a bracket.
I would like to thank you for your trouble, and will recommend your service to friends :) Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes
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