Electrical Problem - Turn Signals & Hazards

[beguer]

Could someone help me diagnose an electrical problem with my turn signals and hazard lights? The turn signal lights on my 1973 standard beetle do not flash at all. Neither the left nor the right side lights will flash when using the turn signal switch, and none of them will flash when using the hazard light switch.

Additional info: When using the turn signal switch the green light in the dash will light up solid green but does not flash.

Anyone had this problem before? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[talljordan]

use a multimeter and check for voltage at the tail. Though with this, my suspicion is a grounding issue.
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1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

[beguer]

talljordan,

Sorry for my inexperience but when you say to check the voltage at the tail, what do you mean by "tail"?

[jpsulisz]

Unsure how different a 73 is to a 71 turn signal system, but I went through all of this when I put new rubber on the turn signals and issues rewiring.

You may need to double-check that all wires are connected correctly, check your ground, and see if your fuse is still good. Could be the flasher itself if both sides went out at the same time, as from what I understand both sides are separately wired, but anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

[polypetalous]

A while back I had a similar issue; no turn signals/hazards, solid green arrow etc.
Mine started to come back after I cleaned all grounds, cleaned all bulb sockets and replaced most bulbs too... but biggest difference was when I unplugged the turn signal switch assy (plug below steering wheel).

Just the act of removing plug and plugging back in, started my turn signal return.
Ultimately, for me it was a matter of corroded connections and more a matter of cleaning any and all connections/sockets, than anything else.
That includes removing ALL fuses and cleaning fuses and the fuse tabs on the fuse block.

Of course your results may vary, but certainly going through and checking/cleaning/polishing electrical connections and sockets cant hurt!


Ben

[beguer]

Thanks fellas, sounds like step one is to clean everything as best I can. Then I'll try unplugging/plugging in the turn signal switch like polypetalous suggested

[ashman40]

Maybe this will help... this is a pic of how the E-Flasher and turn signal systems are wired and are interdependent.

Each system starts with a different fuse at the fuse box. #30 (circuit# not fuse#) is the E-flasher fuse and has constant 12v+ from the battery. #15 (circuit) is the turn signal fuse and only powered when the ignition key is in the ON/RUN position.
The power wires from both fuses run to the E-Flasher switch. Here the E-Flasher switch selects which power source will power the single flasher relay.
The single flasher relay when powered is waiting for a path to ground to open up. If this is the turn signal switch, power to lights on one side of the car will be pulses by the flasher relay. If the path is thru the E-Flasher switch, then both the L and R sides are powered and all four corners will flash.

Since neither of your systems work, start at the fuse box. With the ignition ON both the E-Flasher fuse and the turn signal fuse will have 12v.
Then check that there is 12v at the E-Flasher switch on both the #30 and #15 terminals. Check that the E-Flasher switch is passing this to the flasher relay by testing the "+" output wire at both the E-Flasher switch and the flasher relay.

For the rest of the test, you want to remove the turn indicator lamp from the center bottom bulb holder and install the empty bulb holder back into the speedometer. Once you have both the turn signals and E-Flashers working as designed, then reinstall the bulb and make sure things still work normally.

Bypass the flasher relay by removing it from the relay bridge of the fuse box and installing a jumper wire between the "+" wire opening and the #49a wire opening. This bypasses the flasher relay. Now instead of flashing, the corner lamp swill remain ON constant when activated. Test the turn signals and E-Flashers work as expected, but do not flash.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[beguer]

I wanted to follow up on this thread in case anyone else has this same problem in the future. The culprit turned out to be the hazard switch.

The plastic half of the switch, with all the blade connectors on it, separated from the metal housing.

The metal housing is connected to ground, so the circuit could never be completed if the two halves are separate. I will need to replace the hazard switch in the future but for now I zip-tied the two halves together and everything works! Turn signals, hazard lights, everything is up and running. Many thanks to everyone who chimed in to help!