OK guys, so here's the issue. Turn signals were working intermittant and now have completely quit working on the LargeBarge. The parking lights work properly front/rear. The 'hazzards' work... telling me the bulbs and flasher are OK. Am I correct in thinking its in the steering column where the lever hooks up?? If so.. how do I get in there? Do I need to take off the steering wheel.. is that how I get in there? Thanks in advance!
Have you checked the flasher unit? Most vehicles from that era have two units. The first one is a heavy-duty unit to flash the hazard flashers. The second one is (usually) a standard-duty unit that is enough to flash the number of large bulbs your car has on each side (usually 2 or 3 per side). Sometimes people will replace the standard-duty unit with a heavy-duty unit (especially if they plan to pull a trailer, whose additional lights will overload the standard-duty flasher unit) . I've had cars whose standard-duty flasher units will go out and they usually will start to flash irregularly (fast/slow/fast, etc) or they will just stop flashing completely...burning steadily (which also happens with a standard-duty flasher if you have a burned out bulb). If you replace the flasher unit with a standard-duty unit, be sure that, if your car flashes 3 bulbs on each side, you have a flasher unit equipped for 3 bulbs at a time, and not 2, otherwise you will get a very quick/rapid, almost invisible, flash (indicating the unit is overloaded). If you only have 2 bulbs that should flash on each side and you have a flasher for 3 bulbs, you will not have enough bulbs to make it flash...it will think that the "3rd bulb" is burned out...and it will not flash, only stay on steadily. If you replace the flasher unit with a heavy-duty unit, there is no "tell-tale" that you have a burned out bulb...they flash regularly, regardless of how many bulbs you have or if any are burned out, etc... so you will want to check periodically that none of your bulbs have burned out. Sorry for all the (as the wife puts it) "useless info", but just wanted to be sure you checked that part of the turn signal system before you tear into your steering column.
Good info TopherS - I believe I have 2 bulbs to flash (front park lights and rear tail), and then I have the white front side marker that just comes on durning a turn to illuminate the turn. The flasher I replaced is the standard round 2 pronger (small). However, I have what I initially thought was a flasher that is plugged into the fuse panel... its got like 5 prongs.. and is pretty big... (it might be something different.. I dont know, it might be the horn relay). This car does have a trailoring package.. so its very possible I have a HD unit somewhere..but I dont know what it looks like...or where to look for it. Maybe someone with another T&C will chime in...
The unit you replaced...do you know if it is for the hazards or your turn signals? To find out which unit was the one you replaced... * Turn on your hazards and feel that particular flasher unit. If you can feel the clicking (heavy-duty units are usually quieter than the standard-duty units, so feel it to be sure), then that is your hazard flasher unit that you replaced, and you'll have to search further for your turn signal unit. * If that unit you replaced is not clicking, then it is likely your turn signal flasher, in which case, I would think that the turn signal problem is not due to the flasher unit (but you could replace it with a new one (usually about $2-5 at the auto parts store), just to be sure. Most flasher units look very similar...a small, usually 2-prong, cylinder unit, although I have seen some square ones, but very rarely. Most cars will have 2 units, one for each system (TS and Hazards). Most likely, there will be no real difference between your hazard flasher unit and your turn signal unit...only that they will be (usually) connected to separate wires or plugged into separate spaces on the fusebox. Heavy-duty units usually have a metal casing, whereas many standard-duty units have plastic casings. A heavy-duty unit can be used in either the hazard flashers or the turn signals. The standard-duty can only be used for the turn signals (the hazard flashers overload the unit). The location of your flashers will vary...and like you said, hopefully someone with Chrysler knowledge can shed some light on where they might be found. Check your owner's manual, though. A couple of cars I've owned have had owner's manuals that will tell you where each unit is. Some cars have their flasher units plugged into the fuse box. Some will have them plugged into the wires and stuffed up under the dash. One car I owned had the hazard flasher in the fusebox and the turn signal flasher just hanging out from under the dash by its wires. I've had cars where they are located behind the ashtray, as well. And that 5-prong piece that you found is probably a relay, like you thought. And your Cornering Lamp (the white side light that illuminates your turns) is not controlled by the flasher unit directly, so that lamp won't count in your bulb-count for each side. Oh, a last thought. You might check on the Online Imperial Club website for some info. They have lots of info about the big Chryslers...primarily the Imperials...but it could lead you to the right place. Here's the link... http://www.imperialclub.com/index.htm Hope you are able to get your signals working again...
There should be 2 flasher units as TopherS said, good advice on checking with a big Mopar site, have to focus like a laser beam. I was just working on diagnosing a bad turn signal switch last night. I'm not real familiar with Mopars but they're all basically the same, some use the same switches and cancel cams as GM. The most important tool you need is a 1972 Chrysler shop service manual if you don't have one already. The manual should walk you through the whole diagnosis procedure. You will need a continuity tester or basic multimeter to check for continuity if it has the same techniques as GM. You disconnect the switch wiring connector from the column and there are a series of lettered terminals you go between to check for continuity with the lever in different positions on my Vista, my switch is bad. Does the indicator light on the dash light up when the directional doesn't work? I've found it's usually a bad ground at the light socket or a bad flasher in that case. If it is a bad switch it can be a complicated procedure to replace them and a manual or very good instructions are a necessity if you want to do it yourself. You have to have a basic steering wheel puller in any case to get to the switch, don't know if there are any other speciaty tools for Mopar columns you need to get to it like the GM lock plate tool I need. You may want to make sure you can get a switch if it's bad, especially if it has tilt or cornering lights.
Without knowing the fault I'll suggest swapping the hazard flasher with the turn signal unit, typically they are the same. If your lights come on and don't flash this is likely the problem. Post a bit more information about the trouble and it will be easier for us to help.
Im going to crawl under the dash this weekend a little more... additional info: the TS indicators on the dash do NOT work when I hit the turn signal (but DO with the hazzards). I DONT have a manual yet...but will be getting one soon (thats the key I know) - they are all over ebay. I will crawl under there and see if I feel the clicking.. etc. I am sure I just need to look harder. I will also check out the Imperial Club. As far as the column goes...it has tilt and telescoping wheel and integrated horn into the rim of the wheel itself...but I have a basic puller set if I have to get in there... there's just a nut - looks easy enough. Stay tuned!
You are lucky I'm a hardcore mopar man....Yes first trry the other turn signal/flasher unit...they are usually mounted to the outside of the ashtray under the dash. If this doesn't solve your problem then the problem is with Ma mopars choice to run all the lighting through your turn signal switch in the steering column. What happens with age is the plastic tends to shrink and warp and the contacts no longer connect properly...sometimes you can get the signals to work by wiggling the turn signal lever. Now you will need to replace the whole unit, and since you have a Tilt/Tele AND cornering lights this will be a special turn signal unit. The regular Non-tilt/tele columns used a different switch. I have a switch from a 71 300 with cornering lights but I don't believe it would work for you...I'll check with some of my mopar friends and see if I can get a answer for you.
See - I knew a fellow Mopar guy would know! Looks like I have a Sunday morning project now. Let me see what I can find... unfortuneatly I think I am going to end up in the column...but lets try the easy stuff first.
Well... I was all twisted up like a pretzel on the floor and even pulled some of the dash panels and didnt find anything that resembled 'another' flasher relay... The one I did replace, was infact the hazzards...I cant find another. Anyway, I need to replace my dash pad soon...and the entire dash will have to come apart (plus I am painting it black, from tan)... so, perhaps I will find it then.. until then its HAND SIGNALS. I might scrounge around in the column as well...as once I get in there..it might be obvious that it too might be the issue.
Well my friends came through....here is a link to a E-bay auction with the part you need.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nos-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
WOW - what a find... they sure did come through. I might be able to snag it for a decent price too... may as well get one as I am sure I will need it at one point... if not now. I bet these dont come up too often. THANKS!
