Hi.
I have a 1981 E-150 Econoline van. Lots of overhaul and stuff, and generally it runs well.
Recently, my turn signals and emergency flashers stopped working. I replaced the flasher module (2-contact kind) with a Kragen high-end "loud" flasher (yellow can; I think it's a relay).
This worked well for a couple of days; then, my turn signals failed again (no light at all), but the emergency flashers kept working. After a little while, the emergency flashers stuck on, then they stuck off. Back to square 1.
I replaced the flasher module again, this time with a cheap one that looked like the original little aluminum can from Motorcraft.
Now, my emergency flashers work fine, but the turn signals don't come on at all.
I am at work; I drove straight there nervously, never turning (just kidding).
I'll try WD-40 on the turn switch (read a posting recommending this) when I get home, but does anyone have any other idea? I suspect my problem might not be a dirty switch.
All the lamps seem OK when emergency-flashing, and I checked them OK while the turns were working briefly after the first module replacement.
All the fuses in the fuse block are intact. I got a voltmeter and measured 12 V+ on both sides of every fuse but one: At the bottom of the block there is a very short fuse labelled "Instr PNL 3A", and it reads 0 VDC on both sides. I don't find this documented anywhere in my lousy Chilton manual, but it may just be an unused circuit.
My cheap Ford instrumentation meters drift around pretty badly, but they always did this. I don't notice any malfunction other than the turn signals.
Any ideas? I removed the plastic covers from the steering column and wiggled the wires everywhere I could reach, buit I'm not a mechanic and that's as far as I could go . . ..