Right blinker blows fuses

[1971Blue390]

Well i thought I had this issue fixed, but apparently not. I installed a new Turn signal cam and blinker can and things were fine for about a month. Now when I select right turn, the blinker goes way too fast and burns the fuse. Left turn works fine. . So I pulled the wheel and have the turn signal cam sitting here, and I'm checking the column for shorts, but haven't found any. Continuity between the turn signal and the fuse-block seems good. Only weird thing I noticed was when I checked for continuity between the turn signals and the fuse-block, I also got a positive reading for the headlight wires? It shouldn't do that from the fuse position labeled for the turn signals right?

[SteveC]

maybe check your wires going to your lights up front where they run through the radiator support??

[fordman]

has to be soemthing withthe new cam that is causing it if it worked fine before the cam was replaced.

[1971Blue390]

Maybe it is the new cam? I checked the wiring from the engine bay forward, and everything seems to light up fine. So how would I go about fixing/checking the cam? I noticed that when I hooked up the battery charger instead of the battery, the right turn signal does work, but it goes faster still than the left, but doesn't burn a fuse (Right being the passenger side). So I think this is a indication that the passenger side is getting too much voltage?

[fordman]

which flasher did you replace and what number was the flasher you replaced? it just plugged right in ? right? no splicing wires to install it?

[1971Blue390]

I replaced it with a Wagner 552. I think that is the right one? I read though that it may be the 224 that is the right one? I didn't splice any wires, and it looks oem as far as I can tell.

[fordman]

i just had a idea. try changing the bulb in the side that is bad. if you have to swap sides with the bulbs and see what happens. the 552 is the hazard flasher the turn signal flasher is the 224.

[1971Blue390]

So 224 is the proper Flasher for the signals? Now I've just got to find a parts store that has that, as the last one I went to only had the 552. I took the column and TSS apart, no shorts or weak parts, I also disconnected the front lighting assembly and separately tested the wiring in the engine compartment and all the lights work right, no bad grounds there. Then I took the instrument panel off because I had noticed that the right turn indicator light wasn't lighting up, despite the blinker making noise. So I checked all the contacts(printed circuit) and shaped the plug contacts so that they would have better contact with the circuit. Then I installed the 552, and everything seemed to be working fine, so I took the truck down the block. But then about 1/4th mile later I had blown both the Turn Signal and the Brake Light fuses!?! Not sure what's going on here, but it is getting truly frustrating. I think the problem is either the flasher can or somewhere in the firewall area. So you think that if I replace the 552 can with the 224, then it'll fix the problem?

[fordman]

i dont think the 224 will help fix the probelm. the 224 is a slower flasher and only made for two lights at a time to blink. the 552 is made to be faster if used in turn signals because it is made to handle 4 lights at one time.

[1971Blue390]

Ok, a little progress. Turns out that all the parts stores think the 224 and 552 are the same, and I can't get one, so I'll stick with the new 552. Anyway, I was thinking, that if the fuses only blew when the truck was running, (works fine sitting in the garage) then maybe the voltage regulator is supplying too much current?

[fordman]

did you try swapping the bulbs? to see if mayeb the bulbs were broekn inside of the glass and creating the short?

[robroy]

Good afternoon 1971Blue390,

While I haven't collected my thoughts enough to add any worthwhile advice here, I just wanted to mention that for the past few weeks I've been debugging the EXACT same problem with my truck! The RH turn signal clicks way too quickly, then blows the fuse, every time. The LH turn signal works fine.

My next step will be to pull the steering wheel and scope out the cam area. I've already checked everything I know how to check with the cab-to-front signal wiring, and also confirmed that the behavior's unchanged when the rear turn signal wires are disconnected (at the cab).

I'll be sure to follow your thread to see what caused this on your truck!

Robroy

[1971Blue390]

Well, I've checked most everything, and I think the cam (TSS) itself is faulty. My father told me about how he had to go through 3 new cams on his 71 mustang, so I think the cam(TSS) of this era is a likely suspect. Any idea where to get a GOOD quality cam. I already replaced the old one (broken a lot) with a new one from NPD. Maybe they have a better one, gotta check their catalog. Anyone know if Dennis Carpenter or NPD are better quality?

[fordman]

i do know the borg warner cams arent the same as factory. and they wont work right on your factory switch. the dorman cams are correct fo rthe factory switches.

[1971Blue390]

Alright then, I'll see if I can find the Dorman ones. Who sells them? It seems like the last one I got from NPD were some no-name pieces. NPD seemed to have OEM stuff, it is worth the $60? If only NPD's online catalog was working then I'd check parts availability, but their cataolg seems to be malfunctioning.