Rear Turn Signals

[zgolson]

My rear turn signals do not work. the fronts work just fine. I have checked the wiring. the brake lights work, the parking lights work. Just no blinking from the rear lights. Help please

[jopizz]

When you said you checked the wiring did you check for voltage at the turn signal switch wires. The front and rear turn signals all use different wires off the turn signal switch. I would disconnect the green/orange and the orange/blue wires that come out of the steering column, put a voltmeter or test light on them and see if the turn signals work there.

John

[simplyconnected]

Flasher units depend on all the bulbs working properly. Rear signal lamps are a major part of the equation.

I assume we're talking about your '60 Thunderbird. If so, John is right on the mark. He's a seasoned Auto Mechanic with over 40 years of experience. Go to the part of your steering column where all the wires come out and do what John suggests.

If you find voltage on those particular wires, the next connector is in the trunk. The wire colors will be the same. If you find voltage there as well, check the lamp holders and bulbs. If you have voltage there as well, you have a ground problem.

Having BOTH signals inoperative is highly unusual unless someone had the wires disconnected, then forgot to reconnect them all.

Use the wiring diagram for your car, supplied in the Technical Resource Library. It is an accurate road map for all your wiring.

I hope this helps you get your lights back. - Dave

[zgolson]

thanks guys. I will try that tomorrow.

[JohnG]

you might take the bulbs out of the rear and swap them with the bulbs in the front and see how they perform.

Also try putting one of the front bulbs on the same rear side as the other good front bulb. See if one side then works (blinks).

Alexander used to complain that aftermarket Asian bulbs had resistance that was off enough to cause turn signals to fail blinking.

The turn signal mechanism on the column is a delicate and ingenious device. In the 10 years of owning my car I have twice had to get into it and clean or fine tune it. It does not need much error in it to malfunction. Holler if you want help with it; I have a spare to take pictures of.