Dodge Diplomat Turn Signal

[Zeph_L]

The driver’s side turn signal on my 1980 Dodge Diplomat has not been working properly. The passenger side one works just fine, but the driver’s side front signal light does not come on at all. The rear one comes on but does not flash, as does the dash light. Anyone know what the problem may be?

 

[AMC Diplomat]

See the link here: 89 Fifth Ave: Right Turn signals illuminate but don’t flash

@Camtron hey this is a popular question all of a sudden....

 

[toolmanmike]

The driver’s side turn signal on my 1980 Dodge Diplomat has not been working properly. The passenger side one works just fine, but the driver’s side front signal light does not come on at all. The rear one comes on but does not flash, as does the dash light. Anyone know what the problem may be?

Did you check and change the bulb?

 

[kkritsilas]

A bad bulb would normally cause the right blinker to flash more rapidly than the left. Its either a wiring issue, a turn signal switch, or the flasher itself. I suppose in some odd cases, it could be the socket. I'm betting on the flasher, which is cheap and easy to fix.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

A bad bulb would normally cause the right blinker to flash more rapidly than the left.

I thought that feature was only on modern cars

 

[Mikes5thAve]

A bad ground will cause those sort of signal problems. Bulb problems can also make it do strange things.

I thought that feature was only on modern cars

Its always been the way nornal flashers work. Change in load with burn out bulb makes them go faster or slower. Same reason you used to have to change the flasher to a heavy duty one if you had a trailer connected. And then check the lights regularely because those flashers didn't do anything different when a bulb was out.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Some old cars have a steady on, or a steady off, or a change in flash rate.

If anyone is really curious, and has time to waste, here's a breakdown of how flashers work

 

[Zeph_L]

Did you check and change the bulb?

I changed the bulb and the flasher. The rear signals and the dash light work now, but the front one does not. It lights up when the running lights are on, but doesn’t when I go to use the turn signal.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

I changed the bulb and the flasher. The rear signals and the dash light work now, but the front one does not. It lights up when the running lights are on, but doesn’t when I go to use the turn signal.

Do you have the right kind of bulb up front? Are both the driver turn signal and sidemarker not flashing? They both come on and just stay on?

 

[toolmanmike]

Some old cars have a steady on, or a steady off, or a change in flash rate.

If anyone is really curious, and has time to waste, here's a breakdown of how flashers work

Great video. Thanks for the link.

 

[armataz]

Did you check and change the bulb?

the flash indicter relay next to the fuse pannel may have also went out, theres a right and left.

 

[Zeph_L]

Do you have the right kind of bulb up front? Are both the driver turn signal and sidemarker not flashing? They both come on and just stay on?

Yes it is the correct bulb. Both lights come on and stay on, except when I turn on the signal.

 

[LSM360]

As Mike wrote, it's often the ground causing an issue on these. Try turning on the signal and wiggling and pushing bulb in and see if it starts working.

 

[armataz]

I would still check if the flasher relay just went out for the side not flashing. if it was the ground, the light generally dont come on at all.

 

[Mikes5thAve]

The flasher is the first thing to check.
It all depends on where the bad ground is. I've had far more lights with ground issues that made it do strange things then not work at all.