Turn Signal Switch Problems

millertam · #1 01-01-2011, 10:37 AM

My 2002 B4000 (same as 2002 Ford Rander) turn signal switch when used to signal a left or right turn no longer cnacells. I have tried a part from Advanced Auto, two actually, and both did not work, the wiper function will stay on and you cannot turn it off. All the other functions work including cancelling after a turn. Both new parts from Advance Auto did the same thing. I put the old switch back in.

I then purchased a new switch from MonsterAutoParts.com. When it was installed the wiper functions worked fine, hi and low beams worked, flashers worked, but neither turn signal worked. And when I hit the brakes, the left turn signal indicatior light on the dash lite up.

I have not tried a dealer part, but that may be the only option.

The old switch works fine except for cont cancelling out after a turn. Wonder if anyone on the forum has had a similar problem?
thanks

STL · #2 01-01-2011, 10:45 AM

Www.car-part.com search all salvage yards in your state.

I am wondering if the switch u got from the stores the connection was different.
try that website I posted. U may have to get on specific for you year/model.

sgtsandman · #3 01-01-2011, 11:26 AM

I used the Advance Auto Parts switch in my Ranger and my girlfriend's Explorer with no problems. It sounds like you might have more than one issue going on here.

Do you have tilt wheel? You might have a harness problem. One of the repairs I did was installing a new pig tail on the Explorer. The dealer told me that Explorers in a certain year range had an issue with the harness being too short. Her's is a 2001, which was in that range. You might be having a similar issue.

millertam · #4 01-02-2011, 06:35 AM

I have thougth there might be another issue, but all the eelctical functions of the current turn signal switch work fine. Its only the mechanical function of cancelling the turn signal flashing that is not functioning. Ie there is a part on the switch that the steering column trips to cancel the turn signal. I did some resistance cking using the Mazda shop manual on the Monsterautoparts.com part and on the turn signal contacts where there should have been 5 ohms or less it was open. My old switch had less than the 5 ohms. This was the case for both rt and left turn contacts. So from that I deduced the switch was either defective or of a different configuration. I will ck out our local bone yard for an identicle used part.

If the wiring harness were an issue why would the old switch work fine on all electical functions? But after 3 new parts did not work, I too suspect something other than the switch, but why on make of part would not work the wipers and another not work the turn signals is strange.

AnthonyD · #5 01-10-2011, 10:27 PM

Hey Guys,

I have a 99 Mazda B3000 Troy Lee, and am having a very similar issue with the turn signals...

My first instinct was to replace the flasher, but was skeptical because the hazards still worked, so just to be 100% I made sure that it wasn't the Flasher by installing a new one and got the same results. No Turn signal comes on at all in either direction... So i then replaced the entire wand assembly with a used part from the junk yard, and got the exact same results as well.

I found another article via a google search that mentioned something about the Tow Hitch plug/harness... Does anyone think that this might be the issue? I am assuming that i may have to check the wiring for the tow plug possibly even remove it and reconnect all the stock wires to make sure the connection is clean (its only 2WD so no tow harness is no biggie i dont really need it anyway). Otherwise, per the suggestion above i might have to check the harness inside the column again... and we all know how much fun it is getting into the entire harness behind the steering wheel. But maybe the tilt wheel is the key factor here???

Thanks for any additional suggestions....

millertam · #6 01-11-2011, 02:39 PM

Well your issue is similar but different in that my old turn signal switch works except for the mechanical cancelling of the turn signal after you complete the turn. Just wore out I think. Everything else works fine with the old switch except the cancellation.

But three brand new replacement turn signal switches, 2 from Advance Auto and one from Monsterautoparts.com did not function correctly on the electrical functions (though all three functioned fine on the mechnical cancellation function). By the way both Advance Auto and Monsterautoparts.com were very nice about taking the items back and sending another thinking maybe I had a bad part. I did this with Advance, ie the 2 parts that did not work, but decided not to try with Monsterautoparts.com, though they would have been happy to do so.

AnthonyD · #7 01-15-2011, 08:16 PM

Okay so i found another article tying not only to the ranger but to several ford models, suggesting to squirt WD40 into the turn signal area inside the steering column... basically stating that the connectors inside the switch itself may be dirty and that the WD might be the appropriate fix... but i shot some in there and still no luck!! Living in Vegas i really cant afford to drive around without turn signals, with my luck i will get moving violations left and right! Thank god i have a hobby car i can drive around till i have the cash to take the B3000 to the shop!

Any additional suggestions would be much appreciated i am running out of ideas!

TFF · #8 01-20-2011, 06:18 PM

OK, this is going to sound nuts & if I wasnt the one the found & changed the line I would not have believed it. I have a 98 ranger & on the passenger side by the a/c dryer is a line coming off the heater hose. Our line was cracked & I changed it out go's to the firewall, Well the next thing we knew the blinkers were working, it has been 3 weeks & still going good. This was just by chance, we did not think anything about the darn blinkers. Just a thought.

1KOOL1 · #9 01-20-2011, 10:47 PM

Check the back of the steering wheel for a cancelling pin. I'm not really sure if that model has one or not but there has to be some sort of a cancelling pin which should be about 9 o'clock position. good luck.

Clinton · #10 01-20-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1KOOL1

Check the back of the steering wheel for a cancelling pin. I'm not really sure if that model has one or not but there has to be some sort of a cancelling pin which should be about 9 o'clock position. good luck.

I agree, I you were to actually take it apart, It is greased from the factory with lithium grease. The cancellation switch may be bad as if the wheel is turning constantly disengaging the turn signal

millertam · #11 01-25-2011, 10:33 AM

As hard as it was I finally broke down and purchased a new switch from the local Mazda dealer, $125.00 plus tax vs $60 to $70 for aftermarkets switches from both Advance Auto and Monstercarparts.com. The dealer's part works perfectly, all functions good and it cancels after turning. I have no explanation why the Advance Auto part did not function (tried two of them) nor the Monstercarparts.com part (had a different problem). But to both Advance and M... they were most gracious about taking the part back, trying another one etc, especially M.... I will continue to deal with both of them. They are customer oriented. So sometimes the aftermarket parts are not the same as the dealers.
Thanks to all who posted with ideas and advice.

MikeLoco · #12 01-25-2011, 08:39 PM

blown fuse perhaps?

AnthonyD · #13 01-27-2011, 12:21 AM

I would like to thank everyone again for your input on this thread!

Here is what ended up being the issue;

So instead of the dealer, took the truck to Paladin Advanced Automotive here in Las Vegas, they specialize in Nissan and Infiniti work and my brother takes his '96 300zx there, but I figured they'd take care of me! And they very well did!

What ended up happening was the top plug that goes into the multifunction switch/direction selector arm, ended up having one loose contact plate inside the actual plug (naturally the one that activates the turn signals). So they were able to order a new plug from a ford dealer, and swap all the tips of the wires in the harness into it and it worked out perfectly!

So just a heads up, if anyone ever has turn signals that work intermittently with fuses, light bulbs, and flasher relays that all check out okay. Make sure to take close look at the two harness plugs inside the column and make sure that all wires inside those plugs are securely in place.

Hope this saves someone else a headache down the road...

Thanks again!