Turn signal issues! '87 5.0 swap

[BennyBlown2v]

Hey guys, here's the break down of my car:

1987 2.3l car
5.0 swapped
Previous owner says it has a 91 engine/dash harness
A9l
1993 multifunction switch

The issue:

I'm restoring this car and dealing with all sorts of electrical issues - all of which I have figured out EXCEPT the turn signals!

What is happening:

The hazards DO work, but the turn signals do not; they don't flash on the dash, relay doesn't click, and the lights themselves don't go off. The MF switch that came with the car didn't work at all, except for turning on the brights - I replaced it with a newer unit from a 93 and now the wipers work, so that makes me think that MF switch was bad. New MF switch = wipers work, brights work, still no signals. So, I replaced the turn signal flasher with a parts store unit - no change.

What I need to know:

I have heard the plugs for the multifunction switch are different between 87-89 and 90-93...but supposedly I have a 91 dash harness so the 93 MFS I have should work, but the signals still don't work!

Is there an easy easy to tell the difference between an 87 dash harness, and a 91 harness as far as wire colors go???

Could the issue be with the Ignition switch? I haven't replaced it yet, but it's on a short list of possible problems.

Anything else besides ignition switch or multifunction switch wiring that could be my issue???

 

[SMOKEDYA]

I'm having the same problem with my 89 also! Go out and turn your hazards on without the key in the ignition,and then turn on the L or R turnsignal WITH the hazards on and tell me what happens?I have a thread going on this also,liiljoe told me to check the fuse but it's all good. peace







john

 

[BennyBlown2v]

Just tried signal on with the hazards, no change. Also, my hazard flashers are only in the inner lights in the front and back - are they supposed to be in the corner lights too on these cars or what?

 

[ID89GT]

Hmm I have both an 89 and a 93, I will check tomorrow to see if the electrical connectors for the two multifunction switches are different.

 

[SMOKEDYA]

I've already been threw this with the switch they are not the same. The 93's are longer.The inner lights on the front are the turn signals and hazards only.The otters are markers only and dont flash on the front.The rears are turn signal's only at the top.The otter red ones are markers and brake lights only.peace
















john

 

[SMOKEDYA]

I did a search on here and found out these trouble shooting methods from others. Check this check list 1:bulbs good?2: Fuse good?3:blinker good (thing that goes tick tick)?4:make sure that BOTH the connectors are plugged into the back of the hazard light switch?5:grond on core suport is on there is one on both sides L&R? 6:multifunction switch?7:ignition switch?I would check things in this oreder as they are the easiest and cheapiest to correct! peace














john

 

[BennyBlown2v]

Yeah I've gone through all of that except the ignition switch...and I don't know if my MF switch is right or not because I'm not sure what dash harness is REALLY in this car LOL. I know the connectors are the same, but I heard the wiring pin outs are not. I might as well put a new ignition swith in it, as this one is stock one that came with this column (still has original safety screws in it at least).

 

[SMOKEDYA]

So you have tried 1-4 that i listed above? Even tho things are plugged in MAKE sure the wires in the connectors are also plugged in!Look at the at where the connector plugs in on the multifunction switch as oppsed to the connector plugging into it. If the wires in the connector match to the prongs on the switch then it should be golden!Are you sure all the dash harness grounds are hooked up also?1 more thing when you replaced the flasher unit are you sure it was for the turn signals,and not the hazards? peace












john

 

[BennyBlown2v]

So you have tried 1-4 that i listed above? Even tho things are plugged in MAKE sure the wires in the connectors are also plugged in!Look at the at where the connector plugs in on the multifunction switch as oppsed to the connector plugging into it. If the wires in the connector match to the prongs on the switch then it should be golden!Are you sure all the dash harness grounds are hooked up also?1 more thing when you replaced the flasher unit are you sure it was for the turn signals,and not the hazards? peace

Good point! I'll check the wires on all the plugs. Dash harness should be grounded, me and a buddy went through all the grounds we could find and made sure they were solid. And yes, the flasher unit I replaced was the right one lol...under the dash behind the radio, light blue and purple/pink wires if I remember right

 

[SMOKEDYA]

Good point! I'll check the wires on all the plugs. Dash harness should be grounded, me and a buddy went through all the grounds we could find and made sure they were solid. And yes, the flasher unit I replaced was the right one lol...under the dash behind the radio, light blue and purple/pink wires if I remember right

The reason i say make sure the wires are plugged into whatever it's going to,is because i had a few that the connector was plugged in,but a few of the wires arent! peace






john

 

[BennyBlown2v]

FIGURED OUT THE TURN SIGNALS!

Both of the switches I have are 90-93 signal stalks (including the one that came with this car)...the ONLY wiring difference between 87-89 and 90-93 at the multifunction switch is the pin out for the signals lol... Basically, the pins are in the wrong place in the connector.

I have two options: 1. Re-pin the plug for the MF switch to work with this switch; 2. Buy a 87-89 MF switch.

Pro's for option 1: The 93 MF switch I have is REALLY clean, way better than any other I'm probably going to find for cheap. Also, the 90-93 stalks are longer than the 80's ones, so they look a bit better and are easier to reach.

Pros for option 2: Plug and play - no messing with pins and figuring out where things go!

Decisions, decisions...

 

[BennyBlown2v]

Does anybody have a diagram/photo of the pinout for a 90-93 multifunction switch??? I just need the top connector pinout, that's the one that deals with the signal wires.

 

[SMOKEDYA]

Check out this thread for the pin out courtesy of jr I would get a the correct switch for the year of harness if it was me.http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/785566-turn-signal-problems.html peace











john