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For you turn signal wiring gurus....

For you turn signal wiring gurus....

rpsharpe

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Location
Pennsylvania
Vehicle(s)
1986 CJ7, 258, D30, D300, D44
In the diagram below, how does the turn signal wire (grn tr on right and grn on left) actually cause the side markers to flash and at the same time cause the second element in the front parking light (1157A bulb) to light?

My problem is this: turn signals and hazards work without headlights, but as soon as I turn on parking/head lights, only side markers flash.

All grounds are good and I have new head lamp and turn signal switches. I also cleaned connector for signal switch and all connectors at firewall.

I have a electrical meter and light tester, will test wires at lights, but I don't understand the wiring diagram.

Any suggestions?
 
Take all of the bulbs out of the side marker lights, and try your TS/hazards again. Sometimes the ground will feed back through the bulbs in the side marker lights. You can test your wiring with your test light by temporarily eliminating a possible parasitic ground. Test the wiring going to the TS/H lights. Make sure that the flasher is supplying voltage to the TS prior to the light.

Check the bulbs in the turn signals, sometimes a bulb will look ok, but it's bad. Use a known working bulb in each light to be sure the TS light assembly is working properly. If you can get your test light to flash before the light, you know your wiring is correct. The biggest problem with wiring of ANY kind on a Jeep is the GROUNDS! Check your new TS switch to be sure it is wired properly and grounded. Check your headlight switch for the same. Also, strange as it seems, check your headlight dimmer switch. I have fought Jeep grounds, sometimes just chasing my tail, and most of the time it's something very simple.

Report your progress. :chug:
 
Has this issue just started?
Were you mess'n with the wiring?
ALL brakes lights and turn sigs are routed through the turn signal lever.
The turn sig. contacts get gummed up with dirt. Work the lever a BUNCH of times and see if this cleans the contacts up enough to work.
LG
 
The turn sig. contacts get gummed up with dirt. Work the lever a BUNCH of times and see if this cleans the contacts up enough to work.
LG
I think that is a waste of time I would just replace it. I have put a new one in everything I have owned.
 
I think that is a waste of time I would just replace it. I have put a new one in everything I have owned.

Have you ever tried it?
It's worked for mine for 29+ yrs;)
It has worked for many others also.
1 good dust storm can pack those contacts easily.
The turn sig deal on CJ's is a know PITA.
LG
 
All I know is a new one is cheap and I hate wasting my time on old worn out parts.
 
All I know is a new one is cheap and I hate wasting my time on old worn out parts.

Sure beats pull'n the s'wheel when you don't need to.:D
LG
 
It's not that big of a deal to me and when I'm done I have all new parts that will last for a long time. But you do it your way and I will do it mine.
 
Use a meter to check your connections. Some tester lights, like mine, use an LED as the "light bulb", which will light up at extremely low voltage.

I had a similar problem with my rear TS, only to find that the previous owner rewired w/copper speaker wire. Which corroded very easily.

You want at least 10 volts to your lights 12+ is best. Good luck!



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
Do your parking lights on the front look really bright?

I'm trying to recreate your issue.


"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
Try reversing the wires on the front parking/ts fixtures. If they are wired backward it will appear as though the front ts is not working, when the headlights are on. Because the brighter filament is overpowering it.

I hope that helps.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
Last edited:
To all,

Sorry I haven't posted earlier - work got in the way......hate it when that happens!

Great suggestions, and I will be at it this weekend with my testers. I never thought of the idea of a bad, but working bulb.

The parking lights ARE bright - both are replacements by PO. Maybe reversed wiring?? Never thought of that either!

I learned about bad grounds before from reading many posts on this site. It fixed most of my problems.

Turn signal switch is new (had to pull wheel for new canceling cam anyhow), and already had a short in the dimmer so the headlamp switch is new also!

I still don't understand how the grn and grn-t wires cause side markers and parking lights to flash but will tackle it on Sunday with my testers. I will be sure to post what I find.

Could I have the wrong parking lights? What I mean is, could 1157A (dual element amber bulbs) be placed into a socket designed for 1156 (single element) bulb? IDK, maybe that was a dumb question.......I'll get at it and figure it out!!!!

Rich
 
I reversed mine trying to recreate the issue. That was the only way I could get my CJ to even remotely come close to what you described. It makes your parking lights waaay brighter. And then, your ts is so dim you can't see it.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
If I remember correctly (don't have schematic in front of me), the turn signal switch actually grounds the second filament in your bulbs.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
If I remember correctly (don't have schematic in front of me), the turn signal switch actually grounds the second filament in your bulbs.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"

Ok, that makes some sense to me when the parking or head lights are on (power is being supplied by white wire). Are both of the parking bulb's elements grounded through the base of the light, or one grounded through the light housing and one grounded by the TS switch (grn and grn-T).
 
I think only the parking is grounded through the housing, power is supply both but ground is intermittent on ts filament. If I remember correctly.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
Sorry I can't see diagram on my phone...



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
Just noted my schematic is pretty blurry when uploaded into my gallery.

Thanks again for your help. It'll be fixed this weekend.......FINALLY!
 
But, I think you got it.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 
Just a heads up, sometimes wire color can vary. Whether it's solid or striped usually match though.



"Libertatem Aut Mortem"
 

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