Turn signals, yes again.

[Mark Schue]

Hazards work and both indicator arrow lights on the dash flash.

Rear turn signals work, however the fronts don't 995 of the time. I just tried it and one of the fronts worked. Tried it again and it stopped working.

Flasher unit makes the standard clicking noise, but no indicator arrow lights on the dash.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[EScanlon]

Mark:

Do a search in the Electrical section and you'll be flooded with prior posts all asking just about exactly the same thing.

In short, check all your electrical connections and switches.

I hope I don't offend you by answering this way, as that is not my intent, but all of us have typed and retyped that response so many times that we will sometimes ignore the post for a couple of days.

2¢

[Mark Schue]

Prior to my original post, I did review all of the historical posts I could find on this topic. The other posts seem to have different symptoms than mine.

The other posts had good advice about cleaning the switch, but my switch obviously works since the rear signals work.

The other posts have good hints like checking the flasher for corrosion. But my flasher obviously works since I've got rear signals.

It probably is a connection. I'm looking for some guideance from people who've delt with this before. Are there some connections that are more prone to problems than others.

[2ManyZs]

Pull the bulb sockets out of the turn signals and check them, check the connector that should be near the front tow hook in front of the radiator where the turn signal connects to the main harness.

Double check the throw on the turn signal lever itself. Sometimes the plastic column cover moves and doesn't allow full contact on the switch.

Like Enrique said, your not the first, nor will you be the last with this problem. You should find some other neat little "tricks" in other posts if you can't find the problem right off.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Mark Schue

The other posts had good advice about cleaning the switch, but my switch obviously works since the rear signals work.

This statement is not true! I have had left rear turn signals work while the left front did not work. I partially disassembled the turnsignal switch and sprayed contact cleaner into it. This resolved the problem temporarily. (It came back) Eventually I bought a new turn signal switch assembly and the problem went away permanently (for the last 3 years). Now I'm not advocating the replacement of the asembly until you have tried everything else, as it is EXPENSIVE, but the switch can affect fronts without affecting the rear.

As 2Many alluded to, start by cleaning the sockets at the bulbs and work your way backward. Front Turn signal light assemblies are subjected to a lot of weather.

[EScanlon]

Mark:

Again, I apologize if my prior post seemed like a brush off, as that is NOT what I wanted to say.

The electrical system of the 240 is a very basic system. It doesn't have the AFM or ECU or much of the latter additions that make it so difficult to troubleshoot or repair.

The VAST majority of issues with the system, lights that won't work or work erratically, blown fuses, overloaded circuits, hazard lights working while turn signals don't, are for the most part a connectivity problem. That problem can be from corroded connections, cold solder joints, dirt and grime on contact surfaces, and rarely, broken wires.

Although you feel that your symptoms don't match what's already been written about in the archives, I'll guarantee that once you find the cause of your problem and rectify it, you too will see that the answer was in the archives all along.

2¢