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Turn Signal (indicators) problems?
Contents |
Specific bulb doesn't light up
Remove the lens and twist the bulb out. Inspect it for:
* broken filament * Loose glass * Corrosion of socket
Clean any corrosion with a wire brush and contact cleaner like Deoxit spray. Be sure to clean the bulb contact metal as well as the light socket.
Replace any damaged bulb.
One Side Flashes
The right & left sides are semi-independent. If one side works OK, but the other doesn't, then the Flasher Unit is good, but a bulb or wiring for that side is bad.
Verify that all three bulbs on the side are OK.
- Front t/s lamp
- Rear t/s lamp
- dash t/s lamp
Replace any damaged bulb.
Indicators Flash Slowly
The flasher units are load-dependent. So if the load is not correct -- for example, if one of the three bulbs is burned out -- it will not operate correctly.
See section above on checking the lamps.
If the problem continues, follow the "Indicators Do Not Flash" section below.
Indicators Do Not Flash
The flasher units are load-dependent. So if the load is not correct it will not operate correctly.
Possible causes include:
- One bulb burned out. See above section.
- Flasher unit is incorrect part number. Most flasher units look identical, so check the Part Number on the flasher, and replace if it is the wrong type.
- For the Datsun 1200:
- T/S flasher unit: 25520-89901
- Hazard flasher unit: 25520-89990
- For a more detailed list of compatible parts, see Turn Signal part numbers.
- For the Datsun 1200:
- Flasher and Hazard units are swapped. Check the part numbers and swap them around correctly.
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- See Flasher Location
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- Flasher unit is broken. Test it. See Troubleshooting section below.
- Wiring problems. Trace it per Troubleshooting section below.
Lamps Stuck On
- With key ON, pull the T/S lever to the left side. Check all three left lamps (Front, Rear, and dash)
- Pull the T/S lever to the right side. Check all three right lamps.
- If all three T/S lamps for boths sides come on a stay on, the flasher is likely the wrong part, or is bad
- If one side works differently from the other, the load is likely incorrect
Fuse Blows
Fuse blows when T/S lever is activated left or right. Possible causes include:
- Incorrect fuse. For a Datsun 1200, the T/S fuse is the 15A Hazard/Horn/Stop fuse. If a smaller fuse is installed, replace with the correct 15A size.
- The t/s switch (which is inside the steering column) may be loose. Tighten the switch, replace the fuse, and test again.
First Checks
- Verify that the HORN/STOP Fuse is 15A and not blown.
- Verify that all three bulbs on each side are OK.
- Front t/s lamp
- Rear t/s lamp
- dash t/s lamp
- Replace any damaged bulb.
- Verify that all lamp sockets are OK, and not corroded
- Pull connectors off the flasher units, clean with Deoxit, and put back on.
Lamps Correct Part?
Since flashers only work correctly if the lamp load is normal, using a lower-wattage lamp can cause problems.
LED lamps are a particular problem, since LEDs use less power (watts) than a normal lamp. You can buy special LEDs, or use an expensive load-independent flasher unit.
Specifications - Datsun 1200 FRONT (USA): 12V-23W #1034 REAR (USA): 12V-23W #1073 DASH (USA): 1.7 watt #1445 * For other 1200 models, see Lights#Lamp_Specifications
Compare Hazards with T/S
The Hazards and the Turn Signals use the same lamps, but different fuses. So if they flash on one, but not the other, your lamps are good, but likely a fuse is out. Check the Fuse Box.
Datsun 1200 Fuse Box HAZARD - 'H' Fuse 15A (Horn/Stop/Hazard) TURN - 'M' Fuse 10A (Meter/Reverse/Regulator)
Troubleshooting
Trace The Wiring
In Datsuns, lighting circuit wires are usually Green (or green with various color stripes).
Note that the Turn Signal circuit in Instrument Panel (switches & flasher unit) do NOT involve ground/earth. Only the lamp bulbs involve a ground connection.
- Ensure you have a good body ground (wire from engine block to body, or from battery Negative cable to body) so that the lamp bulbs will have a proper ground.
- Follow each wire, looking for breaks, cuts, burns or other tell-tale signs.
- At each connector, pull it apart, clean the connection, and push the connector back in
- With key ON, measure the voltage at each component and connection, to find out where it stops. Start at the Fuse box (check for 12V at the T/S fuse). Then check for 12V at the Hazard switch. For 12V at the Dimmer/TS switch. At the headlight switch. At the Flasher unit. At the front combo lamp. At the rear combo lamp.
Test Flasher Unit
- Turn key ON
- Pull T/S lever to the left
- Short the flasher terminals with a screw driver.
- If ALL the left-side lights come on (Front, Rear, and dash), the system is good, except for the flasher unit. Replace the Flasher
- If only some of the three lights work for the side, check the non-working lights (see section "Specific bulb doesn't light up" above)
- Repeat with switch on Right-side position
Manual Flasher Test
- With key ON, pull T/S lever to left.
- Pull one of the two wires off the Flasher. All three T/S lamps (Front, Rear, and Dash) for that side should be OFF.
- Pull the other wire off and connect the two wires together (using a jumper wire). All three T/S lamps should go ON.
If both tests succeed -- and the lamps are the correct wattage bulbs -- replace the flasher unit. Remember, there are two flashers (Hazard and T/S), so repeat the test using the other flasher.