Psychotic Turn Signal

[IndyPaceCar78]

Greetings!

I've been trying to diagnose a crazy turn signal, and wanted to see if anyone else has ever had the same symptoms, and what the fix was.

1st off, what kind of engineer designed the C4 ('87) where you have to go under the car, and behind the license plate to replace a tail light bulb? We really must love these cars!!!

My right turn signal stays illuminated, and does not blink, but sometimes does sporatically. I've removed the culprit bulb, (inside right rear) and replaced, then removed and made sure it was seated properly in the socket, but it still doesn't blink properly. I also checked all the fuses, and the right, front bulb too. The left signals work fine.... After checking the owners manual, I couldn't see anything else it could be. When it does flash, all the bulbs work.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Indy:confused

 

[JonM]

I have had that problem in the past...it was a bad socket in the front. You can get new ones at PepBoys.

 

[Ken]

1st off, what kind of engineer designed the C4 ('87) where you have to go under the car, and behind the license plate to replace a tail light bulb??!!!

I hear ya! If you ever find that person, let me know and I'll help you beat him up.

 

[JonM]

Whats the matter?...You guys have short arms?

 

[Ken]

No Jon, THICK arms! :L

 

[IndyPaceCar78]

Exactly Ken!

For the rear outter light, I can't even get anything past my forearm in there, much less reach the socket to take it out. To make matters worse, the Flowmasters with dual tips don't help any, and I even tried removing the hanger bracket, and still couldn't get in there..... Finally, someone came to their senses with the later model C4's when they put screws in the tail light lenses for easy removal.

All the bulbs are working, but just sporatic with the right turn signal........ could this still be a front socket? Seems a little unlikely to me unless it's a short somewhere.

 

[JonM]

If you have thick arms but long..(as I do) The trick to getting the outer lens out is with a #10 socket with a short extension 1/4 inch drive...Don't try to go in directly up from the bottom...What you need to do is lay on the floor reach your arm up along side of the muffler near the side light (you may have to bend the rubber bumper a tiny bit) You will have access this way...I do it all the time...I put sequential turn signal modules in a few weeks ago.

It sounds like you are not getting a good ground someplace...I would check that front socket and make sure its seated correctly or maybe take the socket out and use a temporary ground wire on the bulb and see if it works. Sporadic electrical problems are a bear to find.