Hello all I'm looking for some help with a turn signal issue that I'm having on my 1989 Ferrari 328 I done a ton of searching and can't seem to find anything that fits exactly what I have. Here is what's going on. My hazards work ( all 4 corners ) My right turn signals work on the outside but the inside indicator does not light. My left side turn signal the light doesn't work on the outside but does on the inside and it blinks fast. Except .....when it blinks slow on the inside and then lights works on the outside. So sometimes the left signal works and sometimes it doesn't The right signal always works on the outside but the inside light doesn't work.....except occasionally when it does. I've checked the relay. Which was a hassle because the manual shows it in the wrong place. That seems to be fine. I checked the bulb and cleaned the contacts I haven't messed with the hazard switch yet only because someone said if that were the problem that both turn signals would not work instead of just one side. Nut shell Right side- outside lights work, inside light rarely does Left side- outside lights only work occasionally, inside light works but blinks fast (expect when the outside light actually works) I'm thinking it has to be a short somewhere? I really hope the above makes sense..... Thanks in advance
The turn signals run through the hazard switch, so if one side or another isn't working at all, it might be dirty contacts in the hazard switch. But the wiring to the lights on each side is common. So if one bulb works and the one next to it doesn't, that could be the bulb or the socket. Do all the bulbs work when the 4-way is on? One thing I learned, long ago: car wiring is weird. The relatively high currents in incandescent DC bulbs means that even resistances imperceptible with an analog ohmmeter are important in a car. (I can't believe Edison wanted to run DC in our homes. Good thing Tesla was around to correct him. ) So I'd start by making sure your bulbs and sockets are clean and making a solid contact. E.g. move from the bulbs backwards. The bulbs in 328s take a bit of abuse, given the relatively stiff suspension. I had to take the real bulb assembly apart to replace a brake bulb, only to find that the other bulb died while I was moving the assembly around. (Brake lights are two bulbs in each circle.)
If the hazards are working perfectly this rules out the bulbs and most of the wiring, and the flasher unit, as there is only one. The path to the indicators is a second wire from the flasher which runs to the common connection of the indicator switch. The direction contacts of the switch meet up with wires from the hazard switch and run to the lamps. This appears to point to the indicator stalk and its associated connector. Its difficult to diagnose without probing with a meter. Its possible the switch or connections have a high resistance developed which cant supply the lamp current but can supply the dash indicator. There is no relay involved. Also the fast flashing is a symptom, the flasher unit will do this when the current load is low to indicate bulb failure, although this is not the case here.
Hi guys Thanks so much for these helpful responses. All for lights do work when the hazards are on. One thing I noticed in testing the "turn the flashers on and off a few times fix" is that it is having trouble staying off now, meaning I really have to mess with the switch to get them to stay off. Heading out in a few to look at it again and I'll make sure to check the bulb connections etc. I'm really hoping its not the indicator stalk.
I agree with Dgs to start at the hazard switch connector. We have encountered similar issues with the 328's. Almost all were related to the hazard switch or the hazard switch connector.
Thanks guys I was out there trying to figure it. Still no luck. I'm getting voltage to two of the bulb sockets middle and left but not the right one ( turn signal one) I'm going to try the hazard switch connector next. I probably should have started with that as it seems to be so common.
Have you checked that the connector at the turn signal assembly is plugged in correctly to the mating connector of the hraness (and/or not modified)? The signal from the turn signal switch to run both the inside light and the outside light (on either side) is the same signal -- it is split at the turn signal connector to two pins with one pin going to the inside light and one pin going to the outside light. Have you downloaded a copy of the 328 wiring diagram?
Hi Steve I did check that and it seems to be plugged in correct and doesn't look like it's been modified at all. I haven't downloaded the wiring diagram but will later tonight. I need to go out and look at the wiring harness and connector again because I've been thinking about it while I was at work and I just don't got how the assembly is plugged into the main harness and its getting power to 2 of the 3 lights and it seems like they are all powered by the same wire. Excuse the ignorance, this is my first venture into trying to fix electric on a car. My good friend said he gives me a 17% chance of figuring this out........which really has just stoked me extra to try and figure it out! Thanks for the input Steve, it's much appreciated . Fred
Turn signal update They are FIXED! After Checking fuses, checking relays, changing bulbs, cleaning bulb connections, cleaning wiring harness connections, taking apart the hazard switch and cleaning the connections on that. Checking bulb connections again....throwing up a Hail Mary prayer that I could figure out this enigma... It ended up being a loose wiring harness under the dash ( which was actually pointed out in an old thread by Dave ( hardtop) and Steve also pointed it out but when I read it I was thinking the wiring harness up at the light assembly and not under the dash. If I had read a little clearer it would have saved me the trouble of taking out and cleaning the hazard switch. I think I was so intimidated by that absolute birds nest of wires under the dash that I just tried everything else first thinking I would never be able to find the right wire. I had the front assembly out and saw the blue wire with black dashes on it...went under the steering wheel and found it up there....noticed it went to the red wiring harness that.."hey...looks a little loose" plugged it in and boom.....all is well! Live and learn I guess...it took me quite a few days but feels good to have figure it out. Thanks to all Fred
Thanks Wade! I don't think it would be and understatement to say I was elated to see that turn signal work!!
