I have an 86 e150 1/2 ton with the 5.0L. Since we bought her the cruise and horn stopped working, perhaps 2 months ago. A couple of weeks later the hazard lights stopped working. A few weeks ago the brake lights stopped working but I still had turn signals. I was told that it was the turn signal switch and replaced it and now have no turn signals either. Changing out the switch seemed pretty straightforward so I'm not understanding what's going on. I have also replaced the flasher relay and added a ground from the engine to the firewall. Is it possible it's the duralast switch? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Whenever we get a problem possibly involving electrical , the first thing to check is the fuses.
Before we suggest any other measures, it is important to know the fuses are good. You did not mention if they were confirmed good, are they?

 

Yes, the fuses are all good, sorry. Should've mentioned that.

 

I remember you stated you added an extra ground wire . Did you ever get the horn to work? There is a reason I am starting here.
Also, does this vehicle have a tilt steering wheel?

Do you have anything like a test light or multimeter to use?

 

No sir, never even got the horn to work. I do have a multimeter available to use and it is a tilt wheel that has been stuck since I bought it. (Originally didn't realize it had it).

 

That wire for the horn gets grounded to operate the horn relay that now makes the horn blow. Suggest you confirm power is getting to the horn(s) when pad on steering wheel is depressed. If power is getting to horns and they still don't work, problem is with horns. If you hear the horn relay working when you depress the horn pad that would confirm, steering column mounting has a good ground and relay is working.You might verify 12 volts is available to both sides of the fuses for the functions selected and there is no possible corrosion problem there. The idea is to confirm power is getting to the places where it should be. Older vehicles do develop corrosion problems at the fuse panel that are not readily apparent and should be verified checking for voltage there. Believe it or not rust sometimes develops between the fuse end and the spring clip retainer. You should be on the lookout for that.
If the wiring coming to or going from the sig light sw has a problem that should be checked. It can affect sig and stop lights.
Lets see what we find before going any further..

 

That wiring in the column can be a bear.

 

Here is where I need some help.
Don't recall if 86 had the little stick for the sig lamps or the larger off set plastic lever.
Which does it have?

 

It has been raining all day so no chance to chase down wires today. It has the little metal stick.

 

If it has the little metalstick, in order to replace the signal light sw you need to remove the steering wheel, remove the 3 screws that hold the sw assy , unplug the plug at the lower end of the strg col , remove the wires from the plug before you can remove the sw assy. and attached wires. If you did not do this , exactly what did you replace, it couldn't possibly be the sig sw.

Have replaced several and there is NO OTHER way to do the job right..