I know this is not a 'how to fix your hooptie site', but I have an odd problem, and before I just drop it off at the shop, just wondering if any of you car Pimps have any ideas for me to try.

I lost my turn signals today. This is on a 92 Nissan truck. Everything works but the turn signals. I get a buzzing noise from the turning signal relay. So I replaced the relay, same thing. So I replaced the swithch, same thing. A mechanic at work says I have a bad ground wire. Everything else electronic works, lights, radio, hazard lights... And the fuse is good. The main ground by the battery is good.

I ask this here because in the town I work in, the cops have gone ticket happy! The economy has gone to $$$$, and the cops are writting tickits(sp) like crazy! Now I have nothing against the Police, they are just doing there job. I just need to know anything else to check before I spend more money on my hooptie.

Well, thanks a lot for your time!

E

I can only see 2 probs . . . #1 the connector where your fuse or flasher relay my be horribly corroded (unlikely) or #2 replace all of your bulbs. My bro's car was pullin that garbage last week, and it was one of the little side marker bulbs that was blown. Less than a $2 fix. if that dont fix it then ur mechanic is right n you may have a short causing a brown out condition . . . . not enough to blow the fuse, but not enough juice left to let her flash. Since it is a pick-up, I would find someone knowledgable to help you run new wires as opposed to paying a mechanic to mess your stuff up at a hefty price.

Do your 4 way flashers work? I'm an Audi tech and don't know Nissan's but maybe we can work through this. It's been very common lately in Audi's for the T/S's to go out but the 4 way's work (different power source) and it's a problem with the 4 way flasher switch.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fred_G I know this is not a 'how to fix your hooptie site', but I have an odd problem, and before I just drop it off at the shop, just wondering if any of you car Pimps have any ideas for me to try. I lost my turn signals today. This is on a 92 Nissan truck. Everything works but the turn signals. I get a buzzing noise from the turning signal relay. So I replaced the relay, same thing. So I replaced the swithch, same thing. A mechanic at work says I have a bad ground wire. Everything else electronic works, lights, radio, hazard lights... And the fuse is good. The main ground by the battery is good. I ask this here because in the town I work in, the cops have gone ticket happy! The economy has gone to $$$$, and the cops are writting tickits(sp) like crazy! Now I have nothing against the Police, they are just doing there job. I just need to know anything else to check before I spend more money on my hooptie. Well, thanks a lot for your time! E

go back to the tail light fixtures and make sure they are grounded properly that's the ground he's talking about...anybody who ever drove 18wheelers will tell ya that's where all the lighting problems are...in the ground...at the socket

I sure appreciate the replies.

HoJo: Everything but the turn signals work (4 way flashers and all)

ZENNZZO: The back lights just plug in, how do I check the ground wire?

Again, thanks a lot for your time.

E

Wrath, I will probalbly replace the bulbs also, a 2 to 4 dollar problem eliminator.

pull the frames that the bulbs plug intoand you'll find a ground there some where..

Quote: Originally Posted by ZENNZZO pull the frames that the bulbs plug intoand you'll find a ground there some where..

Will do that in the morning, again, thanks
E

I think if it was a gound problem you would have problems with your 4 ways also. An indication that you have a bad ground is when your parking lights change in intensity or go off when you hit the brakes or use your turn signals. If they don't then I doubt it's a ground problem. I wish I could see some wiring diagrams for your car. I diag more electrical problems by noting the symptoms and then looking at the diagrams then actual testing.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fred_G I know this is not a 'how to fix your hooptie site', but I have an odd problem, and before I just drop it off at the shop, just wondering if any of you car Pimps have any ideas for me to try. I lost my turn signals today. This is on a 92 Nissan truck. Everything works but the turn signals. I get a buzzing noise from the turning signal relay. So I replaced the relay, same thing. So I replaced the swithch, same thing. A mechanic at work says I have a bad ground wire. Everything else electronic works, lights, radio, hazard lights... And the fuse is good. The main ground by the battery is good. I ask this here because in the town I work in, the cops have gone ticket happy! The economy has gone to $$$$, and the cops are writting tickits(sp) like crazy! Now I have nothing against the Police, they are just doing there job. I just need to know anything else to check before I spend more money on my hooptie. Well, thanks a lot for your time! E

REPLY:

If you have an OHM/volt meter and a hotwire that will reach from an onboard 12v source, you can find
your prob by reverse engineering. Start at the breaker/relay, unplug the relay and check for full
12v+ and neg/grnd, (grnd should be black).... With a fused 12v+ wire you can even activate the
circuit to check for open/closed circuit.... Work the signal switch while active to check for
short between switch and relay...

I got my truck fixed today! Turns out it was a bad fuse. I checked said bad fuse, looked fine to me, but it turns out it was not. I have already spent around $75 getting a new relay and switch, that did not fix the problem.

And the gentleman that fixed my truck, (he spent about an hour working on it) would not accept any money! All of the guys in the service department did a little work on it, but only Mr. Joe stepped up and fixed it. Well, on Monday lunch is on me for all those folks!

And thanks again for all your help too!

E

and HoJo, I think you were on the right track, thanks again.

I've seen many fuses in my time as a tech that looked fine but had a hairline crack. The best way to check them is with an ohm meter.