turn signal help please

[Jessica]

You guys were so helpful with the fuel pump problem I'm hoping you can help with my new turn signal problem. They stopped working! The hazards still work and I hear the flasher with the hazards but nothing at all happens when I try the turn signal. The arm seems to be working and stays up or down (although it looks like there is a small crack in the white plastic inside the unit). I know where the fuse box is and I got some fuses but none seem to be labeled for blinkers/signals so I don't know which one to replace. Remember I'm still learning so if anyone could tell me as easily as possible how to start locating the problem I'd appreciate it.

 

[Sasquach]

If the hazard lights work and the brake lights work I would lean toward the switch being bad.

 

[IOPort51]

Does the fuse block have two flashers??
I am sorry I am unfamiliar and have no references on the 74.

 

[fzsk4p]

Jessica,
did the manual ever come in ?

There should be a diagram in there that shows the fuse box and fuse location/name.

Start there and replace the fuse. See if it fixes it.

The other day the turn signals on my YJ quit working. Mind you I have completely rewired this Jeep and changed the electrical architecture along the way. After a couple hours on pulling my hair out I replaced the fuse and it fixed it. The fuse was not blown and checked out fine on my ohm meter. But for some reason it did not work.

Maybe you will get lucky here to..........Wait.....that doesn't sound right..........but you know what I mean..........

But I suspect that if you see a crack in the turn signal switch. It will probably need to be replaced.

 

[IOPort51]

The switch on a 74 is one of those clamped on switches isn't it?

 

[Jessica]

The fuse box had a big round silver fuse for the hazards...Maybe a separate one for the turn signals? I'm hoping it is just a fuse as the more I read about changing a turn signal switch (and even locating one for a 74) sounds pretty involved. There is nothing in the Chilton manual I got about turn signals other than how to change the bulbs.

 

[CJ]

74's had two 2-prong flashers. One for the hazzards and one for the turn signals. The 'big round silver fuse' is the flasher.

A wiring diagram for a 74 CJ can be downloaded from our document section here -->> 1974-1975 CJ5 Wiring Diagram - Jeep-CJ Documents and Manuals

 

[Jessica]

I got the glass fuses...not the big silver ones. I don't recall seeing them at the store, are they hard to find?

 

[cerrajero]

odd question but when you say white thing is cracked...
how did you see the white thing and how white is it

reason......have you pulled the steering wheel to see it?
and faded yellowish white? or really white.....(shows age of turn signal )
and where is the crack?

also i agree with the others on what to check and i have another...

when pushing on the turn signal....is there a "click"?
any unusual resistance ( compared to other vehicle)

 

[cerrajero]

maybe a photo to help

 

[Jessica]

I can see the white thing just by looking in the hole where the turn signal arm is. It's white, not yellowed. There was a small crack yesterday and it still clicked but I just checked now and the whole thing looks pretty broken and it won't click into place. (I don't even see the white part with the crack anymore) Looks like it's been glued before as I see some black goo in there too now. Sounds hard to find and replace one of those. Looks like you need all sorts of special tools to get the steering wheel off and remove that lock plate. If anyone knows where to find one that will work for a 74 let me know! Seems to be an off year for finding parts.

 

[Jessica]

maybe a photo to help

Thanks for the great picture! I wish all the manuals had easy to see pics.

 

[mylittlecj5]

maybe a photo to help

A stock '74 CJ5 will have a clamp on turn signal, not the internal type you show, cerrajero. That is a later model column, as no '74 had the key in the column either. There is the possibility hers has been changed for a newer column, tho.
To Jessica. if you decide you need a new turn signal switch, let me know. I have one I removed from my '74 available.

EDIT, I posted a little to late, I see! Jessica, has your column been replaced?

 

[Jessica]

A stock '74 CJ5 will have a clamp on turn signal, not the internal type you show, cerrajero. That is a later model column, as no '74 had the key in the column either. There is the possibility hers has been changed for a newer column, tho.
To Jessica. if you decide you need a new turn signal switch, let me know. I have one I removed from my '74 available.

EDIT, I posted a little to late, I see! Jessica, has your column been replaced?

Mine is definitely not clamped on...it's inside the column so it must have been switched out at one time. The jeep was supposedly rebuilt 10 years ago. Maybe a switch from a 76 and up would work? They seem to be readily available.

 

[mylittlecj5]

Since its been changed, just go to the auto parts house and ask for one from a mid-70s or 80's Chevy car. Jeep used a lot of parts from Chevy and that will probably work for you. To get the steering wheel off, use a puller borrowed from the parts house (usually for free). Then its a simple matter to access the turn signal switch.

 

[cerrajero]

Since its been changed, just go to the auto parts house and ask for one from a mid-70s or 80's Chevy car. Jeep used a lot of parts from Chevy and that will probably work for you. To get the steering wheel off, use a puller borrowed from the parts house (usually for free). Then its a simple matter to access the turn signal switch.

X2 on that

but a pic would help....never know the PO couldve mounted anything in it