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Freaky turn signals
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OG Velvet
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Joined: February 24, 2003
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:54 pm    Post subject: Freaky turn signals Reply with quote

Ok I will describe the problem best I can. I am working on my girlfriends 72 bus and the turn signals are freaking out. Here is what I know.

The four way flashers work perfectly and at correct speed

The turn signals don't work at all with the headlights on

The turn signals work but blink very slowly when the headlights are off.

The brake lights come on about 2 seconds after you push the pedal

The turn signals won't work with the brake lights on.

Reverse lights work perfect (probably not applicable)

Anyone have any ideas on where to start? I don't know my way around a bay dash so it's taking me forever.

Thanks,
Brian
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ratwell
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 3:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Freaky turn signals Reply with quote

OG Velvet wrote:
The turn signals don't work at all with the headlights on

The turn signals work but blink very slowly when the headlights are off.

The turn signals won't work with the brake lights on.

By the sound of things, you have a bad ground and when there is significant current draw from the battery, the voltage drop that occurs because of the resistance of the circuit is causing the flashers to act funny or not at all.

Quote:
The brake lights come on about 2 seconds after you push the pedal

Brake fluid pressure in the master cylinder makes the lights come on. Have you bled the brakes recently?
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Last edited by ratwell on Fri Dec 26, 2003 3:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
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OrangeWesty'73
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 3:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check and clean all ground connections too.

A dremel w/ a wire brush attachment makes quick work of a corroded ground point, the flexible shaft attachment is nice too.
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OG Velvet
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The brakes are not an issue. I don't think my pedal pusher was pushing hard enough on the pedal. Anyway...

I need to amend my original post.

Turn signals go VERY slow. The turn signals won't blink at the same speed as the 4 way flashers. When I turn on headlights and apply brakes, they slow down even more and almost don't work at all.

All the bulbs are good and I assume the sockets are all good since the 4 ways work fine. It feels like a lack of power somewhere. Like it's getting juice, but not enough.

Ratwell, I'm not sure how pulling fuses will help me. Could you explain it further?

Many thanks,
Brian
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ratwell
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OG Velvet wrote:
Ratwell, I'm not sure how pulling fuses will help me. Could you explain it further?

Not very scientific, just wondering if any of the other circuits have faults and are causing the problem however unlikely.
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Randy in Maine
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 5:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My experience has been that the turn signals are very voltage sensitive. I would make sure you are getting proper voltage (and a good quality ground) to the flasher and the headlights.
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dstefun
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ground, ground, ground. Loosen up those ground screws, clean the terminals, and tighten 'em up. Even if they were already tight, 30 years of corrosion under the screw heads causes a bunch of resistance. That will fix almost every VW electrical problem known to man. Almost. Wink
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llamas1
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 6:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I agree. I had some turn signal issues when I first got my bus.
I was amazed at the weird results you get from bad grounds.
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