Expert: Brad Sears - 12/6/2007

Question
A few years ago we bought a Mach 1 and the wiring on it has been worked and an alarm system added and so on... A few days ago i pulled out the stereo and was pulling the non-original wiring out. After i pulled the stereo the turn signals quit working. I have checked everything including the fuse, the wiring, and the turn signal switch, and the flashers. I have checked all my grounds and spent hours trying to figure it out. If there is any significance the emergency flashers work. Although they run on a different fuse.

Answer
Oh boy, here we go again straightening out a mess created by an after market installer. And back in the day they were bad. They liked to steal connections to run their stuff rather than make their own connections. The good news is that everything from the directional switch to the lights is Ok as the directional and the 4 ways use the same wires. Now, check the input wire with a test light or voltmeter to the turn signal flasher. That would be the black with green stripe wire. There should be voltage there when the key is on. If there is no voltage then the problem is between there and the fuse panel. My guess would be that the installer used a Scotch Lock connector to tap that circuit for voltage and when you removed the system that circuit got broken. Check the wires at the fuse panel and find the Black with green stripe and make your repair. If there is voltage at the flasher and still the directionals do not work check the blue wire at the base of the steering column. If there is no voltage there there is a problem with the flasher or a broken connection between that point and the flasher. If there is voltage at the blue wire and still they do not work the problem is in the steering column. Good luck.
Brad