Glitching Turn Signals

[BHernandez]

98 GT Convertible, stock tail lights and single piece HID projectors up front. They've been working fine for years but now all of the sudden I'm having problems. When I put on the turn signals (left or right) they'll blink fine 5-6 times then just stop blinking. Then I'll have to put the signal stalk back to center and then return to the turn signal direction I want and they'll do the same thing again. Sometimes if I turn the stalk on and off too fast they don't work at all. I've checked all of the bulbs with a power probe and no issues. Any suggestions?

 

[cobrajeff96]

Could be the wand (multifunction switch) and/or the flasher relay beneath the steering column (it's usually a bright yellow cube). Any LED turn signals and/or parking lights in the car?

 

[BHernandez]

No LEDs. The only change from stock is the HID headlights. I changed them about 8 years ago and have had no major problem with lighting since. Occasionally I do get the dash lights flicker with the engine RPMs, but I think that's the alternator or a bad ground somewhere. Is the stalk difficult to change? I know the steering wheel and air bag will need to come out to do it.

 

[ttocs]

The multifunction switch is known to go bad after 20 or 30 years, and then swapping the front lights also has me suspecting that area as well. They are dependent on having a solid connection the entire way or else it reads it as a bad bulb and starts to do strange things to hopefully signal you that it is out. I would probably start under the hood inspecting connections just because it is easier. If you take them apart and do not see any corrosion or signs of water/heat then try the multifunction switch

 

[cobrajeff96]

I don't know if you'll have to remove the entire column just to replace the wand. Try removing the steering shroud first and see. But if it comes to that, removing the column is easy. Three little connectors on the passenger side, and two connectors on the drivers (one of them being a big connector held in by a real small captive screw). Then it's just a 10mm bolt for the shaft and four 13mm bolts to remove the whole thing. I think you can't get access to the medium size connector on the driver side until you've at least removed the shaft and loosened the four main nuts quite a bit.

 

[07GtS197]

Only the steering column aground needs to come out to swap the multifunction switch. There isn’t much room but it can be done no problem. It’s a good idea to buy new connectors and a de-pin tool in case the connector breaks. There’s no room to cut and splice it. The top one broke on mine so I replaced the plug and moved the pins over. Easy peasy.

 

[HOURSEBLACK]

The turn signal lever itself could be faulty or worn. It's possible that the internal contacts are worn or dirty, which could explain why they work temporarily before stopping

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