Quick Question: '83 QV US Turn Signal Issue | FerrariChat

Quick Question: '83 QV US Turn Signal Issue

Discussion in '308/328' started by ChevyDave, Jan 26, 2025.

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  1. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    414
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Troubleshooting inop RH turn signals:
    1. LH turn signals works fine.
    2. With RH turn signals selected, neither front nor rear lights operate and there's no detectable action from the relay.
    3. All four Hazards function as intended.
    4. Remove and reinstall the relay, select RH turn signals, and relay gives one, maybe two weak clicks, then nothing.
    A bad turn signal relay or turn signal switch would seem to be the most likely cause, but not being much of an electrician I'm conflicted by both faults:
    1. If a bad relay, how can it allow the LH turn signals and Flashers to operate normally, but not the RH turn signals?
    2. If a bad switch, why can I hear the relay attempt to energize after removing and reinstalling it and selecting the RH turn signals?
    It's a contradiction to me and wanted to bring a little (ok, a lot) more expertise to bear on the problem. Thanks,
    - Dave
     
  2. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,811
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    Could be a problem with the hazard switch, try to wiggle the hazard switch while it’s on the right hand turn signal
     
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  3. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2006
    5,241
    Ontario
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    Larry Warren
    I'm with Mike on this issue. The hazard switch is evil. I removed all of the switch spade connections and cleaned them. Problem solved
     
  4. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,822
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    Because a high resistance in the RH contacts of the turn signal switch can reduce the current in the coil of the flasher relay below what it needs to fully actuate the armature of the relay. Have you tried "wiping' the RH contacts by actuating the RH turn signal switch about a billion times ;).

    (If your LH turn signal is working = the hazard switch is fine.)
     
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  5. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    414
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Thanks Steve, that makes sense. Like I said; electrical systems...not my favorite thing in the world to work on.

    No....knowing my luck, the damn switch would break on the 999,999,999th cycle :p ...but it's a great suggestion; I may try that - along with some electrical contact cleaner - next weekend.
    - Dave
     
  6. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    11,227
    CT
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    John Kreskovsky
    Use a little contact cleaner on the switch.
     
  7. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,822
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    #7 Steve Magnusson, Jan 27, 2025
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2025
    Yes, even doing that my do nothing as the (non-conductive) debris tends to be like little ball bearings so just rolls back and forth between the contact faces and never clears and/or the force between the contact faces is intentionally low to give long life. Could be something in the LH wiring just downstream of the turn signal switch, but getting to the turn signal switch is your next stop.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  8. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    414
    Pacific Northwest, USA
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    Dave W
    Amazing pic, thanks Steve!
    - Dave
     
  9. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,822
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    You may be able to just "squirt' some contact cleaner in, operate the turn signal switch a few times, and get some benefit, as John suggested, without disassembly, but you can see in the photo how the (black Copper Oxide) wear debris from the contacts themselves collects on their faces.
     
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  10. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    414
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    @Steve Magnusson and @johnk...
    Thanks for the suggestions. Between the electrical contact cleaner, cycling the turn signal switch, and cleaning-up the relay's contacts, the issue was resolved. Fortunately I was able to get by with approx. 999,982 fewer cycles of the turn signal switch than the recommended 1,000,000 cycles. :p
    - Dave
     
  11. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

    Apr 17, 2014
    1,608
    California SF bay area
    Full Name:
    Paul
    If you are going to try contact cleaner I would suggest get serious and use DeoxIT
     
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