Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes

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Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes

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Ford Forum >> Ford Trucks, Ford Vans & Ford SUV's >> Ford Econoline E Series >> Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes

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Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes - 3/9/2008 12:22:14 PM

vanlegr

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1996 Ford E-150, 351 engine. Right turn signal works OK sometimes and flashes/clicks rapidly other times like a burnt out bulb. Replaced both front and rear bulbs on right side but still does the same. If you turn the right signal on and it flashes quickly, you can turn it off and right back on and most, if not all, of the time, it flashes properly after that. Happens about 1 out of 3 times. Left turn signal works fine and has no problems. Has been wired to pull boat trailer for years and nothing done in that area or anything related to wiring in years. Thoughts on where to look next?

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RE: Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes - 3/9/2008 9:02:57 PM

btexpress

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Multifunction switch on steering column. This is a poor design/product by Ford. The contacts in the switch corrode or wear over time and can cause various issues.

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(in reply to vanlegr)

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RE: Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes - 4/26/2008 8:16:01 AM

vanlegr

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I don't drive this van every day, so I've been slow to further troubleshoot it. I have noticed that I cannot get it to fail (flash rapidly) when idling or at low speeds: 0 - 30 mph. I was wondering if it has something to do with some type of voltage regulator or something similar that may be in the wiring between the switch and the blinker?

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RE: Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes - 4/26/2008 10:58:12 AM

Hayapower

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I'd go with the multi function switch as suspect as well.. You might try and pull/lift lightly on the lever to see if the flash rate normalizes.. The multi function control fail at a reasonable rate...

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RE: Turn signal flashes rapidly sometimes - 4/26/2008 5:35:28 PM

vanlegr

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I seem to have the problem resolved. Time will tell if it lasts. The 2 links below were of some help even though they were not exactly a match - I have a 1996 Ford Econoline 150 van and the instructions in the 2 links below are just close, but not exact. I removed the multifunction switch and took it apart. It was easy to disassemble on mine; just remove about 5-6 screws around the edge of the switch. I found a green wire that was broken and barely making connection (did not bother to see what it went to) and I re-soldered it. Put the switch back in and the right blinker was still not right...it would still occasionally flash rapidly on the inside dash and no blinker lights, but now at least I could make it happen sitting in the garage.

I took the switch back out, took it apart again and cleaned all the copper contacts inside the switch with a light sandpaper and a small file. They had green corrosion all over them. Put the switch back in again and all is working fine so far - sitting at idle and with a road test.

If anyone else does this, be careful taking the switch apart since it has a small wire harness inside that needs to be carefully pulled out so that the 2 sides of switch come apart. I took a digital picture of it to make sure I put things back as they were supposed to be. If you are patient, it is not really hard.

I did not totally take the upper and lower steering column shroud off. I removed the 3 screws and just pulled it back. It was difficult to get the switch out - had to pull the plastic shroud back pretty hard to get to the 2 wiring harnesses behind the multifunction switch, but did not bend or break it. You'll need a small, flat screwdriver to pull up the wiring harness tabs and to push them/work them backwards out of the switch.

Again, the links below are to instructions that are close, but not exact but they were close enough for me to take a stab at it and it worked out. Thanks to the 2 folks who replied to my initial question and doing the hard part of scoping in on the problem. You saved me hundreds of dollars.

http://www.offroadrangers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19468
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_replace_the_ignition_key_switch_in_a_1995_Ford_F-150

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