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Hazard lights/turn signal not working?

Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,433 MILES
Hi guys, just this morning I noticed my turn signal did not work at all, the arrows on the dash do not light up either. I tried the hazard lights and they do nothing too. I tried looking up the fuse location and I got mixed results, one thread on a F150 forum even said that the multi function switch connection can come loose in the steering column if you adjust the steering wheel frequently, which I do.
Can you guys tell me which fuse I am looking at? And if it turns out to be good what my next step would be? Thanks!
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Monday, April 16th, 2018 AT 8:54 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Sounds like you have a bad flasher relay. You should be able to get one for $10.00 or $15.00 from the parts shop. I am attaching an image with the location of it, but it is not particularly clear. Sorry.
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Monday, April 16th, 2018 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
So I am basically looking at disassembling the lower part of the dash under the steering wheel? I hope it is not hard. Thanks for the information!
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Monday, April 16th, 2018 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Unfortunately Ford has not released a how-to guide on the flasher. I did find a YouTube video for you, but do not have the time to watch it right now, so I cannot verify its accuracy. Buyer beware. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0Og5Wq0n_I
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Monday, April 16th, 2018 AT 2:35 PM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
Thank you Heyman, sorry for the late response. This has actually become a developing problem. I replaced the flasher relay first to no avail, then I checked the fuses and it was the 20 amp fuse in the middle row on top in the fuse box under the steering wheel. So I replaced it and it worked fine, but then this morning I turned the headlights on and used the turn signal and it blew the fuse again. So I replaced it again and this time I tested it with the headlights on and the turn signal acts funny with them on and acts fine with them off. So is there a electrical problem somewhere? Thanks!
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Yeah there is a problem somewhere. I would suspect that it is near the connector in the column because there is the known issue with it coming loose, as you mentioned earlier. It is possible that one of the wires has also rubbed bare and is contacting with the ground, creating a short circuit and blowing the fuse. I am attaching instructions on replacing the switch, which can be used to help you get to the connector.

And here is our general guide on replacing turn signal switches: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/turn-signal-switch-replacement

And here is a YouTube video on replacing the switch in a Ranger, which is supposed to be basically the same job as on a F150: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_StgRf6f2M8

Keep us posted.
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 4:06 AM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
I found the problem! I followed the wiring from the trailer connectors sockets and found them severely frayed and shredded, I fixed the wires and put in a new fuse and so far so good. They were mounted next to the rear strut and over time it scrapped the wires bare. So I fixed the wires and moved them away from the strut, so now I am going to keep my fingers crossed!
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Nice work!
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
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  • 176 POSTS
Thank you, and thank you for your help!
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
KEITHWA1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD F-150
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 143,714 MILES
My turn signal will only blink 5 or 6 times and then stop working. I've replaced the relay switch and the turn signal assembly and it still only blinks a couple times then stops turning left or right. Could this be a ground problem?
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Sunday, October 11th, 2020 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
It sounds like the flasher is bad here is the location in the diagram below. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, October 11th, 2020 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEBORAH1312
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Yesterday truck was fine. Today- radio works if car is in Neutral-turns off when shifted into drive-back on if shifted. All lights on dash turn on/off in random blinking pattern. 4wd light on dash "clicks" on and off making turn signal noise. Turn signal doesn't work unless steering wheel is tilted into a higher upward position. Windshield wipers turn off when steering wheel is turned- will only work when steering wheel is perfectly straight. AC fan blower keeps blowing after ignition is turned off- must turn blower knob to off postion.

Ideas?
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Sunday, October 11th, 2020 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGRICKO3
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was told that the wiring harness is realy short going back into the steering column so when u put the steering will down all the way it kinda pulls on the harness inside the dash try pulling the wheel as far down as it will go and slamit back all the way up to its highest position it helped with my lights ps. Dont pull down hard
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Sunday, October 11th, 2020 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 294,988 MILES
As the title says, as of this morning my turn signals quit, and I tried the flashers and still nothing. The arrows on the dash also don't light up. The taillights and ambient lights all still work but no signals at all. First thing I did was check the fuses, they all checked out. I've had a similar problem with the lights being blown and it blew the fuse to the turn signals but I've had that fixed for a good while so this issue is new and different. I'm thinking it's the multi-function switch in the steering column because I have to drive with the steering wheel adjusted all the way up in order for the lights and turn signals to work, I have no problem replacing it I'm just afraid it won't fix the problem. There shouldn't be much more that could cause this that I can think of, can you guys tell me if there's anything along the way I should check out like maybe a relay or an extra fuse under the hood and where it would be? Thanks!
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

I looked through the schematics for your vehicle. Make sure the two fuses in pic 1 are good. Both are located under the dash. Check both that I indicated. If they are good, then the next step would be to check for power to the relay. There are two supplies, a red wire with a white tracer, and the other one is white with a light blue tracer. If there is power to the flasher, then confirm it makes it to the switch.

Next, if you look at pic 2, I highlighted the power supply for the signals from the switch to all lights including the instrument panel.

If power makes it to the switch and isn't coming out, the switch is the most likely suspect.

____________________________________

If you determine the switch is bad, here are the directions for replacement specific to your vehicle. The remaining pics correlate with the directions.

___________________________________

2002 Ford Truck F 150 4WD Pickup V8-5.4L SOHC VIN L
Multifunction Switch
Vehicle Steering and Suspension Steering Steering Column Service and Repair Procedures Steering Column Switches Multifunction Switch
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH
Multifunction Switch

Removal
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder.

Pic 3

1. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch lock cylinder and turn to the RUN position.
2. Insert a punch through the hole in the lower steering column shroud and push the ignition switch lock cylinder release tab while pulling out the ignition switch lock cylinder.

Pic 4

3. Twist the tilt wheel handle and shank and remove.

4. NOTE: Move gear selector to lowest position to access steering column opening cover.

Pic 5

Release the four clips and remove the steering column opening cover.
5. Remove the upper and lower steering column shrouds.

Pic 6

1. Remove the three screws.
2. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
3. Remove the upper steering column shroud.

6. Remove the multi function switch.

Pic 7

1. Remove the two screws.
2. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
3. Remove the multi function switch.

Installation

1. NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 mi.) Or more to relearn the strategy.

Pic 8

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

__________________________________

I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Also, if you have other questions, let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
Awesome, I'm going to give it a try and see what happens. Thanks so much!
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
One other thing though, if I have to remove the key cylinder will I have to do any kind of reprogramming process or will it be fine? Thanks
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
I got the switch, but on the way back I played with the turn signal and it acts like it's trying to work, sometimes I'd hear the "calk" sound like before when it worked and the arrow on the dash would slightly light up. Sometimes if I hold it in the right spot the arrow would stay on but it would only do it for the right turn. I did check the fuses and they all checked out. So I'm going to put in this switch and hope for the best.
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
I replaced the switch and nothing changed. I also noticed I have no taillights, the ambient lights work so I know the bulbs are good but from here I don't know. All I can think of is a relay but would that cause the tail lights to quit too?
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Were you able to check the fuses and relays? Also, are brake lights working?
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMCINTOSH11
  • MEMBER
  • 176 POSTS
Yes, I checked every fuse on it, under the hood and both sides of the dash. As luck would have it I remembered a box underneath the steering column, it has two different color and sized relay looking components, I was getting ready to pull the blue one out and it started making a funny buzzing noise as I was moving it, I tried the turn signals as I was messing with it and wouldn't you know it they started working again! So as I could tell it seems the blue relay is actually the flasher, it was making the turn signal ticking noise, and I could feel it making the noise, but the turn signals quit again, so I jiggled the flasher and they worked again, so I found my problem. I tried to remove it but it didn't want to come out, I went ahead and bought a new one, but I'm kinda afraid of forcing this thing out, it okay or am I gonna break something if I force it?
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)

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