Front turn signal not working? why? | FerrariChat

Front turn signal not working? why?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Rod, Sep 14, 2009.

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  1. Rod

    Rod Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2004
    869
    South Derbyshire
    Full Name:
    Rod
    Ok.. was out in the car when noticed is problem with my front bumper Passenger turn signal not working (rhd car)

    Swapped the bulb over for a known working unit and still no joy!

    Checked all fuses and seem ok!

    Was going to remove the light unit but how does it come out? with the spotlight or not?

    What would you test?

    Any idea's?

    Thanks all!
     
  2. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    I had a similar problem a couple of years ago with my 308. I bought some electrical contact spray cleaner from Radio Shack and sprayed it where the turn signal stalk, goes into the switch (no disassembly required) and just worked the stalk back and forth from left signals to right a few times and its worked great ever since.
     
  3. Rod

    Rod Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2004
    869
    South Derbyshire
    Full Name:
    Rod
    Really?

    Worth a try! Thanks..


     
  4. Rod

    Rod Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2004
    869
    South Derbyshire
    Full Name:
    Rod
    MMMMM... Just spent the last 15 mins in the garage with wd40 trying to clean the contacts.. still no flashing light!


     
  5. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    10,460
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    I had a similiar problem. It turned out to be a bad ground. Meter the voltage to a good body ground & see if you have power (with the light set to blink of course)
     
  6. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    ** I Don't use wd-40 as a contact cleaner, it leaves a film of oil. Electrical contact cleaner is different.
     
  7. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    Don't neglect the HAZARD switch. All turn signal wiring goes through that switch and since it doesn't get exercised, it's contacts do go bonkers as well.
     
  8. CaptOharry

    CaptOharry Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2009
    755
    Green Cove Spgs FL
    Full Name:
    Harry Welch
    Sometimes the contacts inside the socket get pushed down and don't make contact to the bulb,also Iuse electrical contact cleaner and use white lithium grease in the socket.Best of luck!
     
  9. Rod

    Rod Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2004
    869
    South Derbyshire
    Full Name:
    Rod
    Guys

    Thanks for the replies....

    How do you remove the unit from the bumper?
     
  10. klatu

    klatu Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2009
    277
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rob Mckinney

    On my 81 GTSi I had the same problem, and went through the same sequence that you have. Here is what I found.

    Take the lense off, and the bulbs out. Using a VOM, check the continuity between the metal parts of the 2 sockets. This is to check to see if both sockets are grounded together, and you should read "0" resistance. If you don't, then proceed to remove the unit from the bumper.

    On one side of the light unit, there is a silver metal strip, this is the keeper for the unit. There is a stud welded to the strip that goes thru the unit with a 9mm nut beghind the bumper, a deep well 1/4" drive with extension works well for this. Once the nut is off, the unit comes right out.

    Unplug the socket and inspect the connections. There may be corrosion on the connectors. Steel wool on the end of a small screw driver works well to clean the male parts, then recycle the connector a few times will re-establish connection.

    Looking at the back of the light unit look for a rubber boot that fits over the end where the wires go into the unit. If this boot has been left off, water is allowed to enter the socket and cause corrosion. Look for a braided copper wire that goes between the connector and one of the sockets, and then to the other socket. This is the common ground between the 2 bulbs and goes back to system ground. Using the VOM check the resistance between the braided copper wire and the metal part of the lite socket. If there is resistance, there will be a voltage drop that can cause the bulb not to get the current that it needs to operate. What happens is that when the light unit was assembled, the braided copper wire was simply laid between the plastic and the metal socket and riveted together, depending on the pressure to establish the connection. When moisture is introduced that connection will corrode, and fail.

    The fix is to solder a small wire to the braided copper wire and the metal light socket, which will re-establish the ground and will fix the problem, if it was a corrosion problem at the socket.

    I hope this helps.

    Rob

    Another breakthrough in electronic desgin by Ferrari.
     
  11. Rod

    Rod Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2004
    869
    South Derbyshire
    Full Name:
    Rod
    #11 Rod, Sep 16, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2009
    Rob...

    Thank you very much for taking the time to write a very good set of instructions, This is very helpful for a none "electrical" person like myself!!!! But someone who would get great satisfaction out of doing the fix them selves!

    I will crack on this evening!

    Cheers!


     

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